Free calendar

US federal holidays 2027

The 11 federal holidays of 2027 with the days they’re observed, and what they mean for a private employer. Add them to your calendar in one click.

The 11 federal holidays of 2027, plus December 31

10 long weekends

  1. January 1: New Year’s Day Friday Long weekend
  2. January 18: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday · often called MLK Day Long weekend
  3. February 15: Washington’s Birthday Monday · often called Presidents’ Day Long weekend
  4. May 31: Memorial Day Monday Long weekend
  5. June 18: Juneteenth National Independence Day Friday · observed, since June 19 is a Saturday Long weekend
  6. July 5: Independence Day Monday · observed, since July 4 is a Sunday Long weekend
  7. September 6: Labor Day Monday Long weekend
  8. October 11: Columbus Day Monday · Indigenous Peoples’ Day in some states and cities Long weekend
  9. November 11: Veterans Day Thursday
  10. November 25: Thanksgiving Day Thursday
  11. December 24: Christmas Day Friday · observed, since December 25 is a Saturday Long weekend
  12. December 31: New Year’s Day 2028 Friday · observed, since January 1, 2028 is a Saturday · from the 2028 schedule Long weekend

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lists December 31 in its 2028 schedule, which is why it is not one of the 11 federal holidays of 2027.

Add to my calendar (.ics)

Who federal holidays apply to

Federal holidays are set by law for federal employees. Many businesses follow them, but nothing in federal law makes a private employer close or give paid time off on those days.

Federal contractors are the exception worth checking. On contracts covered by the Service Contract Act, the wage determination in the contract can require holiday benefits for certain workers.

State holidays

Each state sets its own holidays for its own employees, and the list often differs from the federal one: some states add the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, others don’t observe Juneteenth or Columbus Day.

See the state holidays for 2027 by state, with observed dates and a calendar download for each one.

Holidays that fall on a weekend

Three federal holidays fall on a weekend in 2027. June 19 is a Saturday, so Juneteenth National Independence Day is observed on Friday, June 18. July 4 is a Sunday, so Independence Day is observed on Monday, July 5. December 25 is a Saturday, so Christmas Day is observed on Friday, December 24. Most federal employees get the Friday before a Saturday holiday and the Monday after a Sunday one.

If someone on your team works a holiday

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn’t require extra pay for holiday work. Any holiday pay or premium comes from your own policy, the employment contract or a union agreement. Check your state’s rules too.

Overtime still counts: nonexempt employees earn time and a half for every hour over 40 in a workweek. Recording holiday hours like any other shift helps you pay the right amount and show it if you’re ever asked.

To add up a week with a holiday shift in it, use the timesheet calculator.

How many business days are there between two dates? Count them with the business days calculator, which takes these holidays out.

Plan 2027’s holidays on your team calendar

Try Kinmu for free
Plan 2027’s holidays on your team calendar

Frequently asked questions

How many federal holidays are there in 2027?

There are 11 federal holidays in 2027: New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18, Washington’s Birthday on Monday, February 15, Memorial Day on Monday, May 31, Juneteenth National Independence Day on Friday, June 18, Independence Day on Monday, July 5, Labor Day on Monday, September 6, Columbus Day on Monday, October 11, Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11, Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 25, and Christmas Day on Friday, December 24. Federal employees also get Friday, December 31 off, because that is when New Year’s Day 2028 is observed.

Which federal holidays are observed on a different day in 2027?

Three of them fall on a weekend. June 19 is a Saturday, so Juneteenth National Independence Day is observed on Friday, June 18. July 4 is a Sunday, so Independence Day is observed on Monday, July 5. December 25 is a Saturday, so Christmas Day is observed on Friday, December 24. A holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday is observed the Monday after.

Do private employers have to give federal holidays off?

No. Federal holidays are set by 5 U.S.C. 6103 for federal employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t require you to pay for time not worked, holidays included, so whether your team gets the day off, and whether it’s paid, depends on your own policy, your employment contracts or a union agreement.

Do you have to pay more for working on a federal holiday?

Not under federal law. The FLSA doesn’t require holiday pay or a holiday premium. What it does require is time and a half for every hour a nonexempt employee works over 40 in a workweek, holiday or not.

Is Columbus Day a federal holiday in 2027?

Yes. Columbus Day is on Monday, October 11. It’s a day off for most federal employees, but private employers decide for themselves whether to observe it.

Is the day after Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 2027?

No. Friday, November 26, 2027 is a regular workday for federal employees. Many private employers give it off anyway, so if yours does, put it in your holiday policy and on the team calendar.

Is Christmas Eve 2027 a federal holiday?

In effect, yes. December 25 is a Saturday, so Christmas Day is observed on Friday, December 24, 2027.

Is December 31, 2027 a federal holiday?

Yes, for most federal employees. January 1, 2028 is a Saturday, so New Year’s Day 2028 is observed on Friday, December 31. OPM lists it in its 2028 schedule.

Official sources

Data reviewed on October 12, 2026.