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Rhode Island state holidays 2027

Rhode Island gives state employees 12 paid holidays in 2027. Here are the observed dates, how weekend holidays move and what they mean for a private employer.

The 12 paid state holidays of 2027

10 long weekends

  1. January 1: New Year’s Day Friday Long weekend
  2. January 18: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Monday Long weekend
  3. February 15: Washington’s Birthday Monday Long weekend
  4. May 31: Memorial Day Monday Long weekend
  5. June 21: Juneteenth National Freedom Day Monday · observed, June 19 is a Saturday Long weekend
  6. July 5: Independence Day Monday · observed, July 4 is a Sunday Long weekend
  7. August 9: Victory Day Monday Long weekend
  8. September 6: Labor Day Monday Long weekend
  9. October 11: Columbus Day Monday Long weekend
  10. November 11: Veterans’ Day Thursday
  11. November 25: Thanksgiving Day Thursday
  12. December 27: Christmas Day Monday · observed, December 25 is a Saturday Long weekend

We found no official 2027 calendar for Rhode Island state employees, so these dates follow state law.

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Who Rhode Island state holidays apply to

State holidays in Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island requires many private employers to pay at least time and a half for work on Sundays and on ten holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Victory Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but not Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Washington’s Birthday), and that work must be voluntary, though many businesses are exempt, such as restaurants, hotels and health care. Retail stores also need a holiday license and generally can’t open on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 25-3-3, Work on Sundays and holidays.

Holidays that fall on a weekend

Rhode Island moves New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas to the Monday after when they fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, so there are no Friday observances. New Year’s Day 2028 is observed on Monday, January 3, 2028. Election Day is a holiday only in even years.

In 2027:

  • Juneteenth National Freedom Day falls on Saturday, June 19 and is observed on Monday, June 21.
  • 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 Monday, December 27.

How Rhode Island compares with the federal holidays

Rhode Island gives state employees all 11 federal holidays. On top of the federal list, it adds Victory Day on Monday, August 9.

Some shared holidays land on a different day. Juneteenth National Freedom Day is observed on Monday, June 21, while the federal holiday is on Friday, June 18. Christmas Day is observed on Monday, December 27, while the federal holiday is on Friday, December 24.

Days that don’t close offices

These days are on the state’s list but aren’t full paid days off, so they’re not in the count or the calendar download.

  • Rhode Island Independence Day, Tuesday, May 4: listed in state law, state offices are expected to stay open.

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Frequently asked questions

How many paid state holidays does Rhode Island have in 2027?

Rhode Island gives state employees 12 paid holidays: New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday on Monday, January 18; Washington’s Birthday on Monday, February 15; Memorial Day on Monday, May 31; Juneteenth National Freedom Day on Monday, June 21; Independence Day on Monday, July 5; Victory Day on Monday, August 9; 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 Monday, December 27.

Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Rhode Island?

Yes. Juneteenth National Freedom Day is a paid state holiday in Rhode Island, observed on Monday, June 21, because June 19 is a Saturday.

Is the day after Thanksgiving a holiday in Rhode Island?

No. Friday, November 26 is a regular workday for state employees in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island?

Rhode Island requires many private employers to pay at least time and a half for work on Sundays and on ten holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Victory Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but not Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Washington’s Birthday), and that work must be voluntary, though many businesses are exempt, such as restaurants, hotels and health care. Retail stores also need a holiday license and generally can’t open on Thanksgiving or Christmas. 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?

Juneteenth National Freedom Day falls on Saturday, June 19 and is observed on Monday, June 21. 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 Monday, December 27.

Official sources

Data reviewed on October 12, 2026.