All US Holidays In Order | Dates People Plan Around

The US holiday calendar looks simple until fixed-date holidays land on weekends, Monday holidays shift each year, and Inauguration Day appears only for certain workers. This article puts the federal holidays in calendar order, then adds plain notes for schools, banks, mail, work schedules, and trip plans.

The main list below uses the legal federal names. Some states and businesses use different labels, mainly for Washington’s Birthday and Columbus Day. That wording can matter when you’re checking paid leave, bank closures, mail dates, or school calendars.

US Holidays In Order By Month And Rule

The federal list has 11 annual holidays. USA.gov counts 12 federal holidays when it adds Inauguration Day, which applies each fourth year after a presidential election and only to eligible federal employees in the Washington, DC, area. The USA.gov American holidays page lays out that wider federal list in calendar order.

Two patterns make the dates easier to read. Some holidays always belong to one date: January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, and December 25. Others move by weekday, such as the third Monday in January or the fourth Thursday in November. The law behind the list appears in 5 U.S.C. 6103, the federal statute for legal public holidays.

How Federal Holiday Dates Work

There are two dates to track: the legal date and the observed workday. A fixed-date holiday can fall on Saturday or Sunday. For most federal employees, a Saturday holiday is treated on the Friday before, while a Sunday holiday is treated on the Monday after.

That rule explains why Independence Day may show on a work calendar as July 3 or July 5 in some years. The holiday is still July 4 by name, but the day off can move for pay and leave. The OPM federal holiday schedule publishes the observed dates by year.

Fixed Date Holidays

New Year’s Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas Day are fixed-date holidays. They help with long-range planning because the month and day do not change. The observed weekday may change, so check the annual calendar before booking flights, arranging child care, or planning payroll.

Weekday Based Holidays

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving Day are tied to weekdays. These dates move each year but stay in the same part of the month. That’s why Thanksgiving can land between November 22 and November 28, while Memorial Day always lands on the last Monday in May.

Names That Can Differ

Washington’s Birthday is the federal name, but many calendars call it Presidents Day. Columbus Day can appear with another state or city name in some places. When you need an answer for work, class, court, or benefits, use the calendar from that office. The federal list gives the base date, not each local choice.

Holiday	When It Falls	What To Check
New Year’s Day	January 1	Weekend observation, payroll cutoff, bank hours
Birthday Of Martin Luther King, Jr.	Third Monday in January	School calendars, public events, winter travel
Inauguration Day	January 20 each fourth year after a presidential election	Applies only to eligible workers in the Washington, DC, area
Washington’s Birthday	Third Monday in February	Retail sales, school breaks, local naming
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May	Long weekend travel, cemetery events, summer hours
Juneteenth National Independence Day	June 19	Weekend observation, school or workplace status
Independence Day	July 4	Fireworks rules, travel, local event permits
Labor Day	First Monday in September	Back-to-school timing, travel, shipping delays
Columbus Day	Second Monday in October	State naming, school status, bank schedules
Veterans Day	November 11	Weekend observation, parades, federal office closures
Thanksgiving Day	Fourth Thursday in November	Travel, grocery hours, Friday closures
Christmas Day	December 25	Weekend observation, shipping cutoff, store hours

What Changes From Year To Year

The order stays the same, but the actual day off can shift. That’s the part that trips people up. A fixed-date holiday may be observed on a nearby weekday, while a Monday holiday keeps its place in the workweek but moves to a new date each year.

State, school, and private workplace calendars can differ from the federal list. Some states rename or pair certain observances. Some schools stay open on days when federal offices close. Some employers offer floating days so staff can choose a date that fits their own schedule.

• For pay: Use your employer’s calendar, not a broad holiday list.
• For mail: Check carrier notices near the date, since carrier hours can vary.
• For travel: Book early around Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• For schools: Check the district calendar because teacher workdays can sit next to holiday breaks.

Federal Holidays And Common Closures

Federal holidays close many federal offices. Banks, schools, courts, trash pickup, libraries, and stores follow their own calendars. The result is simple: treat the federal list as the base, then verify the service you plan to use.

Some holidays affect errands more than others. Thanksgiving and Christmas can reshape grocery, shipping, and travel plans for several days. Veterans Day may close federal offices but leave many stores open. Columbus Day often has mixed treatment across states and school districts.

Holiday Type	Best Planning Move	Common Surprise
Fixed date	Check the observed weekday for the current year	The day off may not match the calendar date
Monday holiday	Plan for a three-day weekend	Flights and hotels may cost more
Thanksgiving	Plan for Thursday plus possible Friday closures	Carrier and grocery hours may shrink
Inauguration Day	Check location and worker status	It is not a nationwide annual day off
State or school observance	Verify locally before making plans	The name or open status may differ

A Clean Way To Use The Calendar

Start with the federal order, then add your own layer. Mark the legal holiday, the observed day off, school closures, payroll deadlines, and any travel dates. That keeps one calendar from turning into a guessing game.

For families, the biggest wins come from planning around Monday holidays and the late-year cluster from Veterans Day to Christmas. For workers, the biggest win is checking whether the paid day off follows the legal date or the observed weekday. For small businesses, the useful step is posting closure dates early so customers aren’t left guessing.

Final Planning Checklist

• Save the 11 annual federal holidays in order.
• Add Inauguration Day only when it applies to your location or job.
• Check observed dates for fixed holidays that land on weekends.
• Verify state, school, bank, and employer calendars before making plans.
• Update your calendar each year, since weekday dates shift.

Once you know the order, the US holiday calendar becomes much easier to manage. The names stay steady, the legal rules set the pattern, and your local calendar fills in the details that affect daily plans.