The Ultimate Guide: How Many US Federal Holidays Are There Actually?

Hey everyone, it’s your Holiday Little Assistant here! So recently, one of our awesome readers reached out asking, “How many US holidays are there?” I get it—it can be a little confusing with all the state-specific stuff and unofficial celebrations thrown in there. Let’s break it down together in a way that’s easy to digest.

Alright, first things first: when people ask how many holidays there are in the US, they’re usually talking about federal holidays. These are the big ones recognized by the US government, where non-essential federal offices close, and a lot of businesses and schools follow suit. Officially, there are 11 federal holidays. Yeah, you heard that right—eleven! But wait, there’s a little more to it than that, so stick with me.

Questions related to how many US holidays there are

Let’s dive into some common follow-up questions. A lot of folks wonder why the number seems to change or why some holidays feel more “official” than others. For example, did you know that Inauguration Day is technically a federal holiday in Washington, DC, but only every four years? Wild, right? Then there are state holidays like Texas’s Juneteenth (which became a federal holiday in 2021, by the way!) or Cesar Chavez Day in California. So depending on where you live, your total number of holidays might look a little different. Plus, there are popular unofficial holidays like Halloween or Easter that a ton of people celebrate but aren’t federal days off. It’s all about context!

So to summarize, while there are 11 federal holidays nationwide, the real number of days off you get can vary based on your state, your job, and even local traditions. It’s part of what makes American holidays so interesting—there’s always something to learn or celebrate, no matter where you are.

Thanks for reading, I hope this article helped clear things up about how many US holidays there are. If you’ve got more questions, you know where to find me—your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!