How Many Government Holidays Are There in the US? A Complete Breakdown You Need to Know

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Alright, let’s get real here. If you’ve ever tried to figure out how many government holidays the U.S. actually has, you might’ve ended up more confused than when you started. That’s because the answer isn’t as simple as just one number. It depends on whether you’re talking about federal government holidays, state government holidays, or even local government holidays. So, let’s break it down in plain English.

First off, the United States federal government recognizes 11 permanent federal holidays. Yes, you read that right—11. These are the days when most federal employees get the day off, and banks, post offices, and many schools are closed. The list includes New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Wait, that’s only 10, right? Well, there’s also Inauguration Day, but it only happens every four years. So, technically, in a typical year, it’s 10, but the official list says 11 when you count Inauguration Day as a recurring holiday for federal workers in the D.C. area.

But hold up—there’s also a thing called “federal holidays vs. state holidays.” While the federal government sets these 11 days for its employees, each state gets to decide its own public holidays. For example, some states celebrate “Good Friday” or “Easter Monday” as state holidays, while others don’t. Some states even have holidays like “Texas Independence Day” or “Alaska Day.” So, if you’re asking how many government holidays a state has, it could be anywhere from 10 to 20 or more, depending on where you live.

And what about local government holidays? Counties and cities can also add their own days off. For instance, a city might close for a local festival or a historical event. So, the real answer to “how many government holidays” is kind of like asking how long a piece of string is—it varies.

Now, here’s another twist: There’s a difference between a “federal holiday” and a “public holiday.” A federal holiday means federal offices are closed, but that doesn’t mean private companies or even state-run offices have to close. A lot of folks think “government holidays” means everyone gets the day off, but that’s just not true. Retail workers, restaurant staff, and many others often work on these days.

Also, watch out for “observed” holidays. If a holiday like Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the federal government might observe it on the previous Friday or the following Monday. That means you might have a day off on a non-standard date. So, always check the actual government holiday schedule for your area.

Questions related to how many government holidays

Let’s tackle some common questions I get about this. First up: “Are all government holidays paid?” For federal employees, yes, most federal holidays are paid days off. But for state employees, it depends on the state. Some states give paid holidays for all federal holidays plus extras, while others might only offer a few paid days.

Another big one: “Why isn’t Election Day a federal holiday?” Good question. Despite many people pushing for it, Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) is not a federal holiday. Some states have made it a state holiday, but not the feds. So, don’t expect the post office to be closed on Election Day.

Lastly, “Do private companies have to follow government holidays?” Nope. Private businesses can choose to close or stay open. They’re not required by law to give employees any holidays off, though many do for the major ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

So, to sum it up: The U.S. has 11 official federal holidays (with Inauguration Day added in every four years). But when you factor in state and local holidays, the number jumps. Always check your specific location’s calendar to know exactly what days you have off.

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