US Federal Holidays at a Glance
The United States has 11 federal holidays, observed by federal employees and many private employers. The most anticipated long weekends come from Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), and Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November). When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is usually observed on Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday.
Note that federal holidays are not automatically binding for private employers — about 90% of US employers observe them, but it depends on company policy. Always check your employee handbook. Some states and cities have additional local holidays (e.g., Cesar Chavez Day in California, Patriots' Day in Massachusetts) not reflected here.
Frequently Asked Questions
When a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed. When it falls on Sunday, the following Monday is observed. This applies to federal employees — private employers set their own policies.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but many states and cities do not observe it, with some replacing it with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Check your state and employer's policy.