List of 2024 Federal Holidays for Small Businesses That You Need To Know

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There are two types of federal holidays in the United States.

First, there are paid holidays that are required by law to be observed by all private and government employers—these include holidays such as Labor Day and Veteran’s Day that commemorate events of national importance.

Then there are those holidays that are simply days off—holidays such as New Year’s Day and Independence Day that celebrate significant events in American history—which might or might not be observed depending on the individual employer’s practices.

Here’s a full list of federal holidays in 2024 so you can plan your year accordingly!

1. New Year's Day

Monday, January 1, 2024

Beginning on January 1, 2024 New Year’s Day will be a federal holiday honoring new years and will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.

2. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in January | Monday, January 15, 2024

One of America’s biggest holiday celebrations, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, is held on January 15 in 2024. On that day, thousands of communities across America host a variety of events to commemorate Dr. King’s life and work.

3. Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)

Third Monday in February | Monday, February 19, 2024

President’s Day is a federal holiday observed on Monday, February 19, to honor presidents of the United States.

4. Memorial Day

Last Monday in May | Monday, May 27, 2024

This federal holiday honors those who have died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and takes place on May 27 this year.

5. Juneteenth

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is usually celebrated on the third Saturday in June and commemorates the end of slavery, is a federal holiday in the United States.

6. Independence Day (4th of July)

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Independence Day is a federal holiday in the US. Independence Day, or more commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

7. Labor Day

First Monday in September | Monday, September 2, 2024

This holiday is held to honor American workers for their contributions to society through labor unions, minimum wage laws, and other benefits.

8. Columbus Day

Second Monday in October | Monday, October 14, 2024

This federal holiday is observed on October 14 this year and honors Christopher Columbus, who was born on October 12, 1451. (also observed as Indigenous Peoples Day)

9. Veterans Day

Monday, November 11, 2024

Veterans Day is an annual holiday in America honoring the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States. Veterans Day is both a federal and state holiday and is usually observed on November 11 each year.

10. Thanksgiving Day

Fourth Thursday in November | Thursday, November 28, 2024

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day as it is called by many is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November each year.

11. Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Christmas Day is celebrated in the USA on the 25th December each year. Christmas is a time of getting together with family and friends and the giving and receiving of gifts.

Does your state celebrate other holidays?

Certain U.S. states have their own state-wide holidays that are observed by state governments and banks. Some of these include:

Nevada’s Nevada Day – the last Friday in October of every year
Georgia’s Founding Day – a holiday that celebrates its founding on February 12, 1733
Wisconsin has several – Casimir Pulaski Day on March 4, and Robert La Follette Sr. Day on June 14
Hawaii Native Royalty – March 26 and June 11

FAQs

Q: Inauguration Day

A. A significant day that occurs every four years is Inauguration Day, marking the commencement of a new president’s term. Although not an annual event, it is a designated holiday for federal employees in the Washington D.C. area, typically on January 20th following a presidential election.

Q: Holiday Pay

A: For federal employees, holidays like the ones listed are typically paid days off. In the private sector, holiday pay varies by employer. It’s essential for workers to check with their human resources department to understand their company’s holiday pay policy.

Q: Holiday Schedule

Federal holidays often impact the holiday schedule for businesses and government operations. For example, when a federal holiday falls on a weekend, it’s generally observed on the nearest weekday, affecting the opening hours of government offices and some businesses.

Q: Public Holiday

While all federal holidays are public holidays, not all public holidays are observed nationwide. Some holidays, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are federal public holidays, while others, like Good Friday, are public holidays observed in certain states.

Q: Holiday Falls

When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is typically observed on the preceding Friday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally observed on the following Monday. This ensures that federal employees can enjoy the holiday outside of a standard workday.

Q: Legal Public Holiday

The United States Code establishes certain days as legal public holidays. These are days when all non-essential federal government offices close, and most federal employees are excused from work without loss of pay.

Q: Washington’s Birthday

Commonly referred to as Presidents’ Day, Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington’s birthday. However, the term “Presidents’ Day” has become widely used to honor all past presidents of the United States.

Q: Use Names

Different states and localities may use alternative names for the same holiday. For instance, some states observe “Columbus Day” as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” to recognize the history and contributions of Native Americans.

Q: State Local Governments

State and local governments may observe additional holidays that are not recognized at the federal level. These holidays can vary greatly depending on local history, culture, and significance.

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