2025 Federal Holidays: Your Free Holiday Calendar Template
Planning your year around federal holidays can feel like navigating a maze. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re scheduling vacations, planning work projects, or just trying to figure out when the next long weekend is, this guide to the 2025 federal holidays will be your go-to resource.
What Are Federal Holidays?
Federal holidays are public holidays recognized by the U.S. government. On these days, federal employees get the day off, and most non-essential government offices are closed. But here’s the kicker: private businesses aren’t required to observe these holidays. That means your boss could make you work on Independence Day (though let’s hope they’re not that cruel).
Fun fact: The U.S. has 11 federal holidays each year, but some years—like 2025—have an extra one. More on that later.
The Complete List of 2025 Federal Holidays
Here’s the lowdown on all the federal holidays for 2025. Mark your calendars!
| Holiday | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 20, 2025 | Monday |
| Presidents’ Day | February 17, 2025 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 26, 2025 | Monday |
| Juneteenth | June 19, 2025 | Thursday |
| Independence Day | July 4, 2025 | Friday |
| Labor Day | September 1, 2025 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 13, 2025 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Thursday |
Pro Tip: If a holiday falls on a weekend, it’s usually observed on the nearest weekday. For example, if July 4th were on a Saturday, you’d get Friday off.
Wait, What’s Juneteenth?
If you’re scratching your head about Juneteenth, you’re not alone. This holiday was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, making it the newest addition to the list. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. and is celebrated on June 19th.
Fun fact: Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
How Many Paid Holidays Do Americans Get?
Here’s where things get interesting. While federal employees get 11 paid holidays, private-sector workers aren’t guaranteed any. Yep, you read that right. The U.S. is one of the few developed countries without mandatory paid holidays for all workers.
On average, though, most U.S. workers get around 10 days of paid holiday per year. But here’s the catch: you usually have to work for a year before you’re entitled to those days.
How Does the U.S. Compare to Other Countries?
Let’s take a quick global tour to see how the U.S. stacks up:
Nepal and India: These countries top the charts with 35 public holidays each.
UK: Workers get 8-10 bank holidays, plus at least 28 days of paid leave.
Iran: Employees get a whopping 27 paid public holidays plus a month of paid leave.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., we’re lucky to get 10 days. Sigh.
FAQs About Federal Holidays
Let’s tackle some common questions about federal holidays:
1. Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes! Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. It’s celebrated on June 19th.
2. How many federal holidays are paid in the U.S.?
Federal employees get 11 paid holidays, but private-sector workers aren’t guaranteed any.
3. Is Presidents’ Day a bank holiday?
Yes, it’s a federal holiday, so most banks are closed.
4. What’s the difference between a federal holiday and a bank holiday?
In the U.S., “federal holiday” is the official term. Banks often follow federal holiday schedules, but they’re not required to.
5. Do Americans get more holidays than the UK?
Nope. The UK has 8-10 bank holidays, plus more paid leave. The U.S. has fewer holidays and no mandatory paid leave.
Why You Need to Plan Ahead
Planning around federal holidays isn’t just about scoring a day off. It’s about making the most of your time—whether that’s scheduling a vacation, planning a family gathering, or just catching up on sleep.
And let’s be real: knowing when the next long weekend is can make the workweek a little more bearable.
Final Thoughts
Federal holidays are more than just days off—they’re opportunities to celebrate, reflect, and recharge. With this guide and your free calendar template, you’ll be ready to make the most of 2025.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with a friend. After all, everyone deserves a heads-up about the next long weekend.
