U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Brief Introduction
In the United States, a federal holiday is recognized by Congress and designated in Title V of the U.S. Code 6103 – Holidays. This gives Congress the authority to create holidays for federal institutions. Did you know which were the first 4 Federal holidays established in 1880? They were New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Over the years, other federal holidays were created to remember or celebrate significant moments in the nation’s history and cultural developments.
In this article, Trip.com will go through the details for all the Federal holidays 2024. This includes the exact date and day of the week for each holiday as well as suggestions on what you can do to plan for a long weekend. Lastly, we will also show you some of the fun things you can do during these important breaks! Before we start, let us take a quick look at the list of Federal holidays 2024.
| U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 | Observed Date | Day of Week |
| New Year’s Day | January 01, 2024 | Monday |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 15, 2024 | Monday |
| Washington’s Birthday* | February 19, 2024 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 27, 2024 | Monday |
| National Independence Day | June 19, 2024 | Wednesday |
| Independence Day | July 04, 2024 | Thursday |
| Labor Day | September 02, 2024 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 14, 2024 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2024 | Monday |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 28, 2024 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 | Wednesday |
| * This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. | ||
(Federal Holidays, opm.gov)
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024– New Year’s Day
January 01 2024, Monday
If a holiday lands on a weekend, it might be celebrated either a day before or after. When a holiday occurs on a Saturday, it is commemorated on the prior Friday. Conversely, if a holiday happens on a Sunday, the subsequent Monday is recognized as a holiday for compensation and leave purposes. However, this situation will not occur in 2024.
This extended break is an excellent opportunity to travel greater distances, and that means an overseas vacation! Some of the most famous New Year celebrations in the world are held at Syndey (Australia), Edinburgh (Scotland) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). If you wish to stay closer to home, you can join in the renowned New Year celebrations held in New York too.
Source: Andreas Dress/ unsplash
Sydney is known for its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks event which features 2 impressive fireworks shows.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15 2024, Monday
This goal was accomplished in 1983 when the King’s birthday was approved as a national holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. However, due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, this holiday is shifted to the third Monday of January every year. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act enacted in 1968 was an Act of Congress that moved several federal holidays to a Monday to create 3-day weekends for federal employees. This act has also affected the date of several other holidays, which we will elaborate on later.
As the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. falls on a Monday, employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on January 12, 2024 (Friday) or January 16, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend. During this holiday, you can visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta to learn more about this legendary activist. Trip.com also offers a virtual tour of the Martin Luther King Memorial.
Source: Unseen Histories/ unsplash
The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a day to commemorate one of the most important leaders of the civil rights movements in the 1950s and 1960s
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Washington’s Birthday
February 19 2024, Monday
While the official name of this holiday remains Washington’s Birthday, it is more popularly addressed as President’s Day to commemorate other great American presidents such as President Abraham Lincoln. Due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Washington’s Birthday is celebrated on the third Monday of February every year.
As Washington’s Birthday falls on a Monday, employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on February 16, 2024 (Friday) or February 20, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend. Grab this chance to visit the famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota which features the colossal sculpture of 4 great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Source: Steve O/ unsplash
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota bears the colossal sculpture of 4 great American presidents.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Memorial Day
May 27 2024, Monday
As this holiday unofficially marks the beginning of summer, a barbecue party is often the top choice for many. Due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Memorial Day is commemorated on the last Monday of May every year. As Memorial Day falls on a Monday, employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on May 24, 2024 (Friday) or May 28, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend.
Source: Justin Casey/ unsplash
Memorial Day is the day when the country honors U.S. soldiers who have died while serving in the military.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19 2024, Wednesday
Texas was the first state to celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980. In 2021, President Biden signed the bill which made Juneteenth the 11th official holiday recognized by the federal government. As Juneteenth 2024 falls on a Wednesday, employees can extend this long weekend by taking 2 days off on June 17, 2024 (Monday) and June 18, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 5-day long weekend.
Source: Tasha Jolley/ unsplash
Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Independence Day
July 04 2024, Thursday
As Independence Day 2024 falls on a Thursday, employees can schedule for a long weekend by taking a day off on July 05, 2024 (Friday) to create a 4-day long weekend. Alternatively, employees can take 3 days off from July 01, 2024 (Monday) to July 03, 2024 (Wednesday) to enjoy 6 consecutive days of break.
Source: Stephanie McCabe/ unsplash
Independence Day commemorates the Declaration of Independence in 1776 which established the United States of America.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Labor Day
September 02 2024, Monday
Employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on August 30, 2024 (Friday) or September 03, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend. On this day, you will find many people celebrating the occasion with barbecue parties, firework displays and parades. One of the most famous Labor Day activities is the vibrant West Indian Day Parade Carnival held in Brooklyn! The Labor Day holiday also signifies the end of the summer season, so grab this chance to spend some family time together before the new school year begins!
Source: Paul Hermann/ unsplash
Plan one last barbecue party on Labor Day before the summer ends!
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Columbus Day
October 14 2024, Monday
Due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October every year. Employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on October 11, 2024 (Friday) or October 15, 2024 (Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend. One of the most famous events for this festival is the Columbus Day Weekend Festival held at Federal Hill, Providence on Rhode Island.
Source: Blaz Erzetic/ unsplash
Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Veterans Day
November 11 2024, Monday
You can show your support by attending the Veterans Day event near you or by donating to Veteran-focused charities. Even a simple “thank you” to a veteran you know can go a long way! Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 every year. Employees can extend this long weekend by taking a day off on November 8, 2024 (Friday) or November 12, 2024(Tuesday) to create a 4-day long weekend.
Source: Jessica Radanavong/ unsplash
Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Thanksgiving Day
November 28 2024, Thursday
Today, Thanksgiving Day is a time for family gatherings and of course a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast! Visit Trip.com to discover more ideas on how to celebrate this festival. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year, and Thanksgiving 2024 will fall on November 28, 2024 (Thursday). Employees can schedule for a long weekend by taking a day off on November 29, 2024 (Friday) to create a 4-day long weekend.
Source: krakenimages/ unsplash
The tradition of thanksgiving dates back to the early 17th century when the Pilgrims had a feast to celebrate their first harvest on this land.
U.S. Federal Holidays 2024 – Christmas Day
December 25 2024, Wednesday
However, in recent years, this joyous occasion is increasingly celebrated as a secular festival. Christmas Day falls on December 25, 2024 (Wednesday). It is a popular choice to take 2 days off from December 26, 2024 (Thursday) to December 27, 2024 (Friday) to create a 5-day long holiday!
Source: Ibrahim Boran/ unsplash
Visit the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York during your Christmas holiday!