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Washington state holidays 2027

Washington 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, plus December 31

10 long weekends

  1. January 1: New Year’s Day Friday Long weekend
  2. January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday Long weekend
  3. February 15: Presidents’ Day Monday Long weekend
  4. May 31: Memorial Day Monday Long weekend
  5. June 18: Juneteenth Friday · observed, June 19 is a Saturday Long weekend
  6. July 5: Independence Day Monday · observed, July 4 is a Sunday Long weekend
  7. September 6: Labor Day Monday Long weekend
  8. November 11: Veterans Day Thursday
  9. November 25: Thanksgiving Day Thursday 4-day weekend
  10. November 26: Native American Heritage Day Friday 4-day weekend
  11. December 24: Christmas Day Friday · observed, December 25 is a Saturday Long weekend
  12. December 31: New Year’s Day 2028 Friday · observed, January 1, 2028 is a Saturday Long weekend

We found no 2027 holiday calendar from Washington’s Office of Financial Management, so these dates follow RCW 1.16.050. December 31 is the observed New Year’s Day 2028, so it counts toward 2028, not the 11 holidays of 2027.

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Who Washington state holidays apply to

State holidays in Washington 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.

Washington’s holiday law sets paid holidays for state and local government employees only. We found no Washington law that requires private employers to give state holidays off or to pay extra for working them. Source: RCW 1.16.050, Legal holidays.

Holidays that fall on a weekend

Washington observes a Saturday holiday on the Friday before and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after. State and local employees also get one paid personal holiday of their choice and two unpaid holidays for reasons of faith or conscience.

In 2027:

  • Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19 and is observed on Friday, June 18.
  • 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 Washington compares with the federal holidays

Of the 11 federal holidays, Washington doesn’t give state employees a paid day off for Columbus Day. On top of the federal list, it adds Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 26.

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.

  • Columbus Day, Tuesday, October 12: a recognized day, not a legal holiday, offices stay open.

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Frequently asked questions

How many paid state holidays does Washington have in 2027?

Washington 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; Memorial Day on Monday, May 31; Juneteenth on Friday, June 18; Independence Day on Monday, July 5; Labor Day on Monday, September 6; Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11; Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 25; Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 26; 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 Washington?

Yes. Juneteenth is a paid state holiday in Washington, observed on Friday, June 18, because June 19 is a Saturday.

Is the day after Thanksgiving a holiday in Washington?

Yes. Friday, November 26, which Washington calls Native American Heritage Day, is a paid state holiday, so state offices close.

Do private employers have to give state holidays off in Washington?

Washington’s holiday law sets paid holidays for state and local government employees only. We found no Washington 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?

Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19 and is observed on Friday, June 18. 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.