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Arkansas state holidays 2027
Arkansas expects to give state employees 10 paid holidays in 2027, 1 of them still to be confirmed. Here are the observed dates, how weekend holidays move and what they mean for a private employer.
The 10 paid state holidays of 2027, plus December 31
8 long weekends
- January 1: New Year’s Day Friday Long weekend
- January 18: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Monday Long weekend
- February 15: George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day Monday Long weekend
- May 31: Memorial Day Monday Long weekend
- July 5: Independence Day Monday · observed, July 4 is a Sunday Long weekend
- September 6: Labor Day Monday Long weekend
- November 11: Veterans Day Thursday
- November 25: Thanksgiving Day Thursday
- December 23: Christmas Eve Thursday · Christmas Eve falls on the observed Christmas Day · to be confirmed 4-day weekend
- December 24: Christmas Day Friday · observed, December 25 is a Saturday 4-day weekend
- December 31: New Year’s Day 2028 Friday · observed, January 1, 2028 is a Saturday Long weekend
December 31 is the observed New Year’s Day 2028, so it counts toward 2028, not the 10 holidays of 2027.
To be confirmed
- Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 23: Christmas Eve itself falls on Friday, December 24, the observed Christmas Day, and the state hasn’t announced which day replaces it.
These days aren’t in the calendar download until they’re confirmed.
Who Arkansas state holidays apply to
State holidays in Arkansas are the days the state gives its own employees off with pay. They don’t bind private employers: whether your team gets these days off, and whether they’re paid, depends on your policy, your employment contracts or a union agreement.
Arkansas’s holiday statutes cover public offices and state employees. We found no Arkansas law that requires private employers to give state holidays off or to pay extra for working them. Source: Arkansas Office of Personnel Management, Policy 52, Holidays and Birthday Leave.
Holidays that fall on a weekend
Arkansas observes a Saturday holiday on the Friday before and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after. State employees also get a paid holiday on their birthday, which doesn’t close any office.
In 2027:
- Independence Day falls on Sunday, July 4 and is observed on Monday, July 5.
- Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25 and is observed on Friday, December 24.
- New Year’s Day 2028 falls on Saturday, January 1, 2028 and is observed on Friday, December 31.
How Arkansas compares with the federal holidays
Of the 11 federal holidays, Arkansas doesn’t give state employees a paid day off for Juneteenth and Columbus Day. On top of the federal list, it adds Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 23.
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Frequently asked questions
How many paid state holidays does Arkansas have in 2027?
Arkansas gives state employees 10 paid holidays, 1 of them still to be confirmed: New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday on Monday, January 18; George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day on Monday, February 15; Memorial Day on Monday, May 31; Independence Day on Monday, July 5; Labor Day on Monday, September 6; Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11; Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 25; Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 23 (to be confirmed); and Christmas Day on Friday, December 24. State employees also get Friday, December 31 off, because that’s when New Year’s Day 2028 is observed.
Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Arkansas?
No. Juneteenth isn’t one of the paid state holidays in Arkansas, so it’s a regular workday for state employees. It’s still a federal holiday, observed on Friday, June 18.
Is the day after Thanksgiving a holiday in Arkansas?
No. Friday, November 26 is a regular workday for state employees in Arkansas. Many private employers give it off anyway; if yours does, put it in your holiday policy and on the team calendar.
Do private employers have to give state holidays off in Arkansas?
Arkansas’s holiday statutes cover public offices and state employees. We found no Arkansas law that requires private employers to give state holidays off or to pay extra for working them. Beyond that, whether your team gets these days off, and whether they’re paid, depends on your policy, your employment contracts or a union agreement. Federal law doesn’t require holiday pay, but nonexempt employees still earn time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek, holiday or not.
What state holidays fall on a weekend in 2027?
Independence Day falls on Sunday, July 4 and is observed on Monday, July 5. Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25 and is observed on Friday, December 24. New Year’s Day 2028 falls on Saturday, January 1, 2028 and is observed on Friday, December 31.
Official sources
Data reviewed on October 12, 2026.