How Many Holidays Are There in the USA? The Surprising Truth About American Holidays

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So you’re probably wondering just how many holidays the United States actually has. Well, it’s a little more complicated than you might think. The short answer is: there are 11 federal holidays recognized by the U.S. federal government. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Different states, cities, and even companies add their own holidays, so the real number depends on a lot of factors. Let’s break it all down so you can stop scratching your head.

First off, we gotta talk about what a “holiday” means in the U.S. There’s no single law that says “these are all the holidays in America.” Instead, the federal government sets 11 official federal holidays. These are days when federal employees get the day off (mostly paid), and banks, post offices, and schools usually close too. The 11 federal holidays are: 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. Oh, and don’t forget Inauguration Day, which happens every four years in Washington, D.C., and is technically a federal holiday for workers in the D.C. area. But that’s a special case.

Now, here’s where it gets messy. Each of the 50 states has the power to decide its own public holidays. So while all states recognize the 11 federal holidays (mostly), some states add their own unique ones. For example, Texas has Texas Independence Day and San Jacinto Day. Hawaii has Prince Kuhio Day and King Kamehameha Day. In New York, you might get Election Day off in some counties. And you can’t forget about state-specific celebrations like Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts and Maine, or Victory Day in Rhode Island (the only state that still observes it). Some states also opt out of a federal holiday—like Martin Luther King Jr. Day used to be co-celebrated with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some southern states. But that’s fading out.

Beyond state holidays, there are also “floating” holidays, cultural holidays, and observances that aren’t official days off but still celebrated widely. For example, Easter and Good Friday are not federal holidays, but some states (like North Dakota, Kentucky, and others) close government offices for Good Friday. Some large companies give employees Good Friday off, but many don’t. And what about holidays like Black Friday, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve? Those aren’t official federal holidays, but a lot of workplaces treat them as half-days or give you the day off. Same goes for Super Bowl Monday—well, not really, unless your boss is a big football fan!

Another thing people mix up: federal holidays don’t automatically mean everyone gets the day off. Private companies are not required to close on federal holidays. So even if the post office is closed, you might still be expected to show up for work at your regular job. Most private-sector employees get New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day off. The other holidays like Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day are not universally observed. Actually, about a third of U.S. workers still need to work on a typical federal holiday.

Okay, so back to the question: how many holidays are in the USA? If we’re strictly counting federal holidays, it’s 11 (or 22 half-days if you prefer). If we count all state-level holidays, it jumps to something like 130+ different dates across the country, but each state only adds a few. Most states have about 12 to 15 official state holidays total. That includes the 11 federal holidays plus maybe 1–4 extra ones. But that still doesn’t include the hundreds of “observances” like National Donut Day, Earth Day, or National Hot Dog Month—those aren’t days off. Those are just for fun.

One more type of holiday you might consider: religious holidays. The U.S. doesn’t have official religious holidays on the federal level except for Christmas (which is both a federal holiday and religious). But school districts, courts, and many public offices close for Good Friday, Yom Kippur, Diwali, or Eid in places with large populations of those faiths. So the number really depends on where you live and what you do for a living. Many public school calendars include 180 days of instruction and about 10–15 holidays scattered throughout the year.

So let’s wrap this up and give you the bottom line: The United States has 11 official federal holidays. If you add state-specific holidays, the count goes up, but most states stay in the 12–15 range total. If you count all the days most American workers actually get off (like Black Friday or Christmas Eve), it ranges from about 10 to 20 days a year, depending on your employer. And if you count every single cultural, religious, or funky holiday, we’re talking hundreds. But remember—when someone says “I love a three-day weekend,” they’re usually talking about one of those federal Monday holidays. So you probably want to start by focusing on the 11 federal ones.

Questions related to how many holidays are in usa

Well, a lot of people ask me: “Is there a list of all U.S. holidays in the whole country?” The short answer: no, not a single list. But there are lists of federal holidays. And the most common question is: “Does every state celebrate the same holidays?” I’d say no, absolutely not. For example, some states still observe César Chávez Day, while others skip Columbus Day altogether. I also get asked: “How many holidays do most American workers get off?” And data shows that the average U.S. worker gets about 8–11 paid holidays from their employer. That means not everyone gets every federal holiday off. Another really common question is: “Is Presidents’ Day a federal holiday?” Yes, it is. It’s officially called “Washington’s Birthday.” And lastly, “Do people get paid for working on federal holidays?” If you work in a public sector job, often you get paid extra or get a comp day. For private sector jobs, it depends on the contract or union rules. Some get 1.5x or 2x hourly pay, others just get straight pay.

So if you’re planning your year around U.S. holidays, be sure to check the specific state you’re in and the policies of your employer. Don’t assume that because it’s a federal holiday, you get the day off. And definitely don’t assume all states celebrate the exact same days. The diversity of American holiday culture is part of what makes the U.S. so interesting!

public holiday calendar.COM Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand the how many holidays are in the usa question—the truth is, there’s no one simple number. Whether you’re counting federal, state, or just the days most people get off, the answer will always depend on where you live and where you work. If you have more questions, please contact us. I’m always here to help you figure out your next long weekend!