What federal holidays are celebrated in the United States in 2021? Here is a complete list.
In a typical year, there are 10 federal holidays recognized by the government that federal employees get off with pay. One additional holiday that is unique for this year is inauguration day. This will apply to federal employees in the Washington, DC area.
This day is granted as a holiday, at least in part, to help with the inevitable traffic congestion that permeates the DC region for the inauguration event. As the Office of Personnel Management states, “Federal employees who report to their duty station in the downtown Washington, DC area and its vicinity on January 19 and 20 should expect possible commuting delays and travel disruptions due to road closures, mass transit changes, motorcades, and the establishment of security perimeters.”
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Friday, January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Monday, January 18 | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| Wednesday, January 20* | Inauguration Day |
| Monday, February 15** | Washington’s Birthday |
| Monday, May 31 | Memorial Day |
| Friday, June 18 | Juneteenth |
| Monday, July 5*** | Independence Day |
| Monday, September 6 | Labor Day |
| Monday, October 11 | Columbus Day |
| Thursday, November 11 | Veterans Day |
| Thursday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Friday, December 24**** | Christmas Day |
*This holiday is desginated as “Inauguration Day” in section 6103(c) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Federal employees in the Washington, DC area are entitled to a holiday on the day a President is inaugurated, January 20 for each fourth year after 1965. 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.
**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.
***July 4, 2021 (the legal public holiday for Independence Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, July 5, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(b).)
****December 25, 2021 (the legal public holiday for Christmas Day), falls on a Saturday. For most Federal employees, Friday, December 24, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.)
