How Many Bank Holidays Are There in 2021? A Complete Guide to the 2021 Public Holiday Calendar
Hey there, holiday fans! It’s your go-to public holiday buddy, Holiday Little Assistant, back with another helpful guide. Today we’re tackling a question I get asked a lot: How many bank holidays were there in 2021? Whether you’re planning a retro vacation or just curious, let’s dive into the 2021 holiday breakdown together!
So, How Many Bank Holidays Were There in 2021?
Great question! In the U.S., we typically follow the federal holiday schedule for bank holidays. For 2021, there were 11 official federal bank holidays. That’s right—11 perfect opportunities to sleep in, fire up the grill, or hit the mall for those post-holiday sales. Here’s the full list:
1. New Year’s Day (January 1)
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18)
3. Presidents’ Day (February 15)
4. Memorial Day (May 31)
5. Juneteenth (June 19)*
6. Independence Day (July 4)
7. Labor Day (September 6)
8. Columbus Day (October 11)
9. Veterans Day (November 11)
10. Thanksgiving Day (November 25)
11. Christmas Day (December 25)
*Fun fact: Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021! That’s why this year had one more holiday than usual—a last-minute but very welcome addition.
Wait, Why Do Some Years Have More Holidays Than Others?
Good catch! Normally, the U.S. has 10 federal holidays, but 2021 was special because Juneteenth National Independence Day was signed into law in June. Since the holiday was announced mid-year, banks and federal offices had to scramble a bit to adjust. That’s why 2021 had that extra day off—and honestly, we weren’t complaining!
Did All States Observe the Same Bank Holidays in 2021?
Not exactly! While federal holidays apply to government offices and most banks, states can add their own holidays. For example, some states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Others, like Texas, have additional state-specific holidays (ever heard of Texas Independence Day?). So if you were traveling in 2021, you might’ve caught an extra day off depending on where you were!
What About Weekends? Did Holidays Get “Moved”?
Oh, you know it! If a holiday falls on a weekend, the official observance usually shifts to the nearest weekday. In 2021, both New Year’s Day and Independence Day landed on Sundays, so the observed holidays were Friday, December 31, 2020 (yep, a sneaky early celebration!), and Monday, July 5, 2021. Pro tip: Always double-check the dates—some businesses follow the actual holiday, not the observed one!
To wrap it up, 2021 was a pretty standard year for holidays, with that awesome bonus of Juneteenth making it 11 bank holidays total. Whether you’re reminiscing or planning ahead for future years, knowing these dates helps you maximize your time off (or at least know when the post office will be closed!).
Thanks for hanging out with me, friends! I hope this guide cleared up any confusion about 2021 bank holidays. Got more questions? Hit me up—I’m always here to help you navigate the wonderful world of public holidays. Catch you on the next day off!
