United States laws currently establish eleven public holidays for Federal employees. Most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. Therefore, if the holiday falls on Saturday the holiday is observed on Friday. And, if the holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday.
Official federal holidays 2024
Listed below are the 11 Federal Holidays for 2024 (opm.gov). If a federal holiday fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
- Monday, January 01, 2024: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 15, 2024 (3rd Monday): Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- *Monday, February 19, 2024 (3rd Monday): Washington’s Birthday (aka Presidents Day)
- Monday, May 27, 2024 (last Monday): Memorial Day
- Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Thursday, July 04, 2024: Independence Day
- Monday, September 02, 2024 (1st Monday): Labor Day
- **Monday, October 14, 2024 (2nd Monday): Columbus Day aka Discoverers’ Day
- Monday, November 11, 2024: Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 28, 2024 (4th Thursday): Thanksgiving Day
- Wednesday, December 25, 2024: Christmas Day
*Washington’s Birthday is the federally recognized holiday though many locations use Presidents Day, President’s Day, or Presidents’ Day.
**Columbus Day is the federally recognized holiday since it was adopted in 1937. Federal facilities such as federal courts and post offices are closed as these employees take a federally mandated holiday off from work. However, many states have adopted other observations. In 1989, South Dakota became the first state to celebrate Native American Day instead of Columbus Day. In Hawaii, Discoverers’ Day is observed on the second Monday in October, although it is not an official state holiday. Therefore, state facilities (such as DMV, public schools, and libraries) are open as usual. It’s a tiny bit confusing, but not by much. More info: Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
What’s closed and open on federal holidays
Listed below are businesses that typically close and those that remain open on federal holidays. Many non-government businesses also observe the federal holiday schedule. Of course, for many retail, restaurant, and public service employees (such as park personnel, bus drivers, and other public-facing employees), it’s a regular workday—usually with holiday or overtime pay.
- Closed: All federal government facilities. Post offices are closed and there is no mail delivery. A few private schools or other businesses may close or reduce hours in observance of the day.
- Open: All state facilities such as DMV, public schools and libraries, plus retail stores, shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, parks and botanical gardens, and municipal golf courses are open.
Garbage collection:
- County of Hawai‘i does not provide curbside collection. Recycling and Land Fill locations are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or designated emergencies such as natural disasters.
- Kauai Solid Waste Division collects five days a week including holidays.
- Maui, Lanai, Molokai: follow the Residential-Refuse-Pick-up-Holiday-Schedule (mauicounty.gov)
- County of Honolulu Curbside Collection/Schedules (opala.hnl.info) is normal on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (then it is one day later). More info: ʻŌpala, i.e. garbage (honolulu.gov)
Public Transportation:
- Hawai’i Island Hele-On Bus operates on a Sunday schedule on County observed holidays: Holiday Schedule | HI Mass Transit Agency.
- Kauaʻi Bus operates daily, including most holidays. See Kauai Bus Schedules or use free TheKauaiBus app for real-time updates.
- Maui Bus operates 7 days a week, including holidays. See Maui Web Bus Schedule or use the Live App.
- Oʻahu | TheBus varies per holiday and operates on a Saturday, Sunday, or State Holiday schedule. See TheBus Holidays
Official Hawaii State holidays 2024
Hawaiʻi State Government offices and facilities observe the following state holidays. Public schools are closed on Prince Kūhiō Day and Good Friday (they are not in session during summer). Federal offices are open. Retailers and the communities have special celebrations.
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024: Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Day
- Friday, March 29, 2024: Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
- Tuesday, June 11, 2024: King Kamehameha I Day
- Friday, August 16, 2024: Statehood Day (3rd Friday in August)
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024: General Election Day (First Tuesday in November following the first Monday of even numbered years)
Note: When state holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
More info: https://dhrd.hawaii.gov/state-observed-holidays/
What’s closed and open on state holidays
- Closed: All state government offices including satellite city halls and driver licensing, libraries, and public schools. Most banks are closed. Other service businesses may be closed.
- Open: Federal post offices, retail stores, shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, parks and botanical gardens, Honolulu zoo, and municipal golf courses. Rush-hour traffic lanes will NOT be coned.
Garbage collection:
- County of Hawai‘i does not provide curbside collection. Recycling and Land Fill locations are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or designated emergencies such as natural disasters.
- Kauai Solid Waste Division collects five days a week including holidays.
- Maui, Lanai, Molokai: follow the Residential-Refuse-Pick-up-Holiday-Schedule (mauicounty.gov)
- County of Honolulu Curbside Collection/Schedules (opala.hnl.info) is normal on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (then it is one day later). More info: ʻŌpala, i.e. garbage (honolulu.gov)
Public Transportation:
- Hawai’i Island Hele-On Bus operates on a Sunday schedule on County observed holidays: Holiday Schedule | HI Mass Transit Agency.
- Kauaʻi Bus operates daily, including most holidays. See Kauai Bus Schedules or use free TheKauaiBus app for real-time updates.
- Maui Bus operates 7 days a week, including holidays. See Maui Web Bus Schedule or use the Live App.
- Oʻahu | TheBus operates on the State Holiday schedule. See TheBus Holidays
Depositphotos_100934070_l-2015 american flag closeup
Official federal holidays 2025
Listed below are the 11 Federal Holidays for 2025 (opm.gov). If a federal holiday fall on a Saturday or Sunday, it is usually observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
- Monday, January 01, 2025: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 20, 2025 (3rd Monday): Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- *Monday, February 20, 2025 (3rd Monday): Washington’s Birthday (aka Presidents’ Day)
- Monday, May 26, 2025 (last Monday): Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 19, 2025: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 4, 2025: Independence Day
- Monday, September 2, 2025 (1st Monday): Labor Day
- **Monday, October 13, 2025 (2nd Monday): Columbus Day aka Discoverers’ Day
- Tuesday, November 11, 2025: Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27, 2025 (4th Thursday): Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, December 25, 2025: Christmas Day
*Washington’s Birthday is the federally recognized holiday though many locations use Presidents, President’s, or Presidents’ Day.
**Columbus Day is the federally recognized holiday since it was adopted in 1937. Federal facilities such as federal courts and post offices are closed as these employees take a federally mandated holiday off from work. However, many states have adopted other observations. In 1989, South Dakota became the first state to celebrate Native American Day instead of Columbus Day. In Hawaii, Discoverers’ Day is observed on the second Monday in October, although it is not an official state holiday. Therefore, state facilities (such as DMV, public schools, and libraries) are open as usual. It’s a tiny bit confusing, but not by much. More info: Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
Hawaii State flag image via Depositphotos_423211150
Official Hawaii State holidays 2025
Hawaiʻi State Government offices and facilities observe the following state holidays. Public schools are closed on Prince Kūhiō Day and Good Friday. Schools are not in session during summer. Federal offices are open. Retailers and the communities have special celebrations.
- Wednesday, March 26, 2025: Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Day
- Friday, April 18, 2025: Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
- Wednesday, June 11, 2025: King Kamehameha I Day
- Friday, August 15, 2025: Statehood Day (3rd Friday in August)
Note: When state holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on Friday or Monday, respectively.
More info: https://dhrd.hawaii.gov/state-observed-holidays/
Event calendar of free and cheap things to do
Listed below are all events on our calendar for the next 60 days.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Monday, December 4, 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Monday, December 11, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Friday, December 15, 2023
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Monday, December 18, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Friday, December 22, 2023
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Monday, December 25, 2023
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Friday, December 29, 2023
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Monday, January 1, 2024
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Friday, January 5, 2024
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Monday, January 8, 2024
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Friday, January 12, 2024
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Monday, January 15, 2024
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Friday, January 19, 2024
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Monday, January 22, 2024
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Friday, January 26, 2024
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Sunday, January 28, 2024
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