United States laws currently establish eleven public holidays for Federal employees. Since most Federal employees work a Monday through Friday schedule, when a holiday falls on the weekend, the holiday usually is observed on Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday) or Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday).
List of federal holidays 2025
Listed below are the 11 Federal Holidays for 2025 (opm.gov). If a federal holiday fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
- Monday, January 01, 2025: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 20, 2025 (3rd Monday): Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr and Inauguration Day (see Note: below).
- *Monday, February 17, 2025 (3rd Monday): Washington’s Birthday (aka Presidents’ Day)
- Monday, May 26, 2025 (last Monday): Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 19, 2025: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 4, 2025: Independence Day
- Monday, September 1, 2025 (1st Monday): Labor Day
- **Monday, October 13, 2025 (2nd Monday): Columbus Day aka Indigenous People’s Day
- Tuesday, November 11, 2025: Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27, 2025 (4th Thursday): Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, December 25, 2025: Christmas Day
Note: Monday, January 20, 2025 is also Inauguration Day. Federal employees in the Washington, DC area are entitled to a holiday on the day a President is inaugurated on January 20th for each fourth year after 1965.
*Washington’s Birthday is the federally recognized holiday though many locations use Presidents, President’s, or Presidents’ Day.
**Columbus Day is the federally recognized holiday though many states have adopted other names. Washington State does not recognize Columbus Day as a state holiday. Therefore, federal offices and U.S. post offices are closed, there is no mail delivery, bond markets that trade in U.S. government debt are closed, and most banks. However, in Washington State, state and local government offices and facilities are open, public schools are in session, and street parking must be paid. Most bus service is on REGULAR schedules.
What’s closed and open on federal holidays
Listed below are businesses that typically close and those that remain open on federal holidays. Many non-government businesses also observe the federal holiday schedule. Of course, for many retail, restaurant, public services such as parks and buses, and other employees, it’s a regular workday—although usually with holiday or overtime pay.
Closed: All government facilities, public libraries, public schools, and public community centers are closed. All U.S. Post Offices are closed and there is no mail delivery. Paid street parking is typically free on federal holidays—but be sure to check local regulations, which can vary by location. Many non-retail businesses and services (banks, business offices, etc.) who follow the federal holiday calendar are also closed.
Open: Retail stores, grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, public parks, and public golf courses are open. Garbage collection is normal, with some exceptions (usually Christmas Day and Thanksgiving). Public transportation may operate on holiday or Sunday service, especially commuter routes.
Public Transportation: Most bus service is on reduced holiday (or Sunday) schedules. Puget Sound Ferries are usually on regular schedule. However, for some summer holidays such as Independence Day, service might be increased, such as ferries or late-night bus service after fireworks.
For specific route information, listed below are the links to public transit services in the Puget Sound region:
- Everett Transit (see: Everett holiday service list)
- Kitsap Transit (see: Kitsap holiday service list)
- Seattle/King County Metro buses (see: Metro holiday service list)
- Community Transit / Snohomish County Transit (see: CT holiday service list)
- Sound Transit / Link light rail and commuter trains (see: Rail holiday service list)
- Tacoma/Pierce County Transit (see: Pierce holiday service list)
- Washington State ferries operate throughout Puget Sound. See: ferry schedules by date. Get free travel alertsvia email or text message to stay informed of conditions on your route.
Here’s a list of holiday hours, what’s open and what’s closed. Image by artursz via Depositphotos
List of federal holidays 2026
Listed below are the 11 Federal Holidays for 2026 (opm.gov). If a federal holiday fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
- Thursday, January 01, 2026: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 19, 2026: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- *Monday, February 16, 2026: Washington’s Birthday
- Monday, May 25, 2026: Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19, 2026: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 03, 2026: Independence Day
- Monday, September 07, 2026: Labor Day
- **Monday, October 12, 2026: Columbus Day
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026: Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 26, 2026: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, December 25, 2026: Christmas Day
*Washington’s Birthday is the federally recognized holiday though many locations use Presidents, President’s, or Presidents’ Day.
**Columbus Day is the federally recognized holiday though many states have adopted other names. Washington State does not recognize Columbus Day as a state holiday. Therefore, federal offices and U.S. post offices are closed, there is no mail delivery, bond markets that trade in U.S. government debt are closed, and most banks. However, in Washington State, state and local government offices and facilities are open, public schools are in session, and street parking must be paid. Most bus service is on REGULAR schedules.
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
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