US federal holidays are set by Congress and observed by all federal agencies, banks, and most businesses. Some states have additional holidays (e.g., Cesar Chavez Day in California, Patriot's Day in Massachusetts). When a holiday falls on Saturday, it's typically observed on Friday; when on Sunday, it's observed on Monday.
US federal holidays are set by Congress and apply to federal employees and banks nationwide, but private employers are not legally required to observe them — most do, as a matter of convention. Some states add their own additional holidays, such as Patriots' Day in Massachusetts or Cesar Chavez Day in California, which only affect state government offices and businesses that choose to follow the state calendar.
See how holidays affect each month's working day count:
Are private employers required to give federal holidays off in the US?
No. Federal holidays are mandatory only for federal government employees and banks; private employers choose whether to observe them, though most do as standard practice.
Do all US states observe the same public holidays?
No, while the 11 federal holidays are observed nationwide by convention, some states add their own additional holidays that only apply to state offices, such as Patriots' Day in Massachusetts.
How many federal holidays does the US have?
The US currently observes 11 federal holidays a year, most recently adding Juneteenth National Independence Day in 2021.
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