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California state holidays 2027
California gives state employees 11 paid holidays in 2027. Here are the observed dates, how weekend holidays move and what they mean for a private employer.
The 11 paid state holidays of 2027
7 long weekends
- January 1: New Year’s Day Friday Long weekend
- January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday Long weekend
- February 15: Presidents’ Day Monday Long weekend
- March 31: Cesar Chavez Day Wednesday
- 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 4-day weekend
- November 26: Day after Thanksgiving Friday 4-day weekend
- December 25: Christmas Day Saturday · stays on Saturday, state employees get holiday credit Weekend
CalHR hasn’t published its 2027 calendar yet, so these dates follow its standing holiday rules.
Who California state holidays apply to
State holidays in California 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.
The California Labor Commissioner says state law doesn’t require employers to give paid holidays, close on a holiday or pay a premium for holiday work beyond regular daily and weekly overtime. Source: California Labor Commissioner, Holidays FAQ.
Holidays that fall on a weekend
California observes a Sunday holiday on the Monday after. A Saturday holiday isn’t moved: state employees get holiday credit instead, unless it’s Veterans Day, which moves to the Friday before. That’s why there’s no Friday closure for Christmas in 2027, and none on December 31 for New Year’s Day 2028.
In 2027:
- Independence Day falls on Sunday, July 4 and is observed on Monday, July 5.
- Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25 and isn’t moved, but state employees get holiday credit.
How California compares with the federal holidays
Of the 11 federal holidays, California doesn’t give state employees a paid day off for Juneteenth and Columbus Day. On top of the federal list, it adds Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31 and Day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 26.
Some shared holidays land on a different day. Christmas Day is on Saturday, December 25, while the federal holiday is on Friday, December 24.
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Frequently asked questions
How many paid state holidays does California have in 2027?
California gives state employees 11 paid holidays: New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1; Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18; Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 15; Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31; 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; Day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 26; and Christmas Day on Saturday, December 25.
Is Juneteenth a state holiday in California?
No. Juneteenth isn’t one of the paid state holidays in California, 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 California?
Yes. Friday, November 26 is a paid state holiday, so state offices close.
Do private employers have to give state holidays off in California?
The California Labor Commissioner says state law doesn’t require employers to give paid holidays, close on a holiday or pay a premium for holiday work beyond regular daily and weekly overtime. 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 isn’t moved, but state employees get holiday credit.
Official sources
Data reviewed on October 12, 2026.