Federal Holidays 2025: Dates, the December Executive Order, and What to Expect

Federal employees in 2025 have a baseline of 11 statutory federal holidays, and in mid‑December an administration action added two additional government closures for the Christmas period. The Office of Personnel Management lists the 11 statutory holidays for 2025, and on December 18, 2025 the president signed an executive order directing executive departments and agencies to be closed and employees excused on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, subject to exceptions for essential functions.

The official federal holiday list for 2025

Below are the federal holidays that are set by statute, and as published by the Office of Personnel Management for 2025. The list reflects the holidays that are normally part of the federal schedule each year.

Quick fact: statutory federal holidays are established under federal law, generally cited at 5 U.S.C. 6103. Federal agencies follow OPM guidance about observance and pay.

What changed in December 2025, and why it matters

On December 18, 2025, the White House issued an executive order directing closure of executive departments and agencies on December 24 and December 26, 2025. The order states that those days shall be treated within the scope of existing statutes that relate to pay and leave for holidays, and it authorizes agency heads to keep offices open when necessary for national security, defense, or other public needs.

The administration called the move a way to provide additional time off for many federal workers during the Christmas period.

This action is an executive directive to the executive branch, it does not change the underlying federal statutes that define the annual list of federal holidays, and it does not automatically require private employers, state governments, or markets to close.

Practical effects

• Many federal offices, for most employees, will be closed on December 24 and December 26, 2025, creating an extended holiday window that includes Christmas Day and the adjacent weekend.
• Agency and department heads can require designated employees to work, so essential staff in areas like homeland security, air traffic control, corrections, and health services may still report for duty and receive appropriate pay treatment.
• Major financial markets and private sector services are not obliged to follow the White House order. Stock exchanges confirmed they would remain open on those dates, and private employers decide whether to match the federal schedule.

Observance rules, pay, and "in lieu of" days

Federal law and OPM policy set the basic rules for how holidays are observed for pay and leave purposes. Important points for 2025:

• If a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday, most federal employees are given the preceding Friday as the observed holiday for pay and leave.
• If a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is normally the observed holiday for most federal employees.
• The December 2025 executive order treats Dec 24 and Dec 26 as falling within the scope of existing holiday pay and leave statutes, but agencies will publish implementing guidance for payroll and leave accounting.

What employees should watch for: agencies typically send OPM‑coordinated guidance when an administration grants additional closures, and that guidance spells out whether annual leave will be charged, how premium pay is handled, and the rules for employees who are required to work.

Multiple viewpoints, and where debate centers

Supporters, including many federal employee groups and some members of Congress, framed the December closures as a morale boost and a way to give families more time together during the holidays. Advocates noted that extra time off can reduce burnout, and that federal workers often perform high‑stress duties year round.

Critics argued the executive action raises questions about precedent and fairness, and that lasting changes to the federal holiday calendar should come through Congress. Some private‑sector observers said the move creates uneven practices, because businesses, exchanges, and state and local governments decide their own schedules independently.

Practical concerns raised by observers

• Essential services, first responders, and mission‑critical staffing still require coverage, and those employees may not receive time off even when agencies are closed for others.
• Stock exchanges and some private businesses kept regular schedules, leading to confusion for consumers and employees who track closures by the federal calendar.
• The executive action, while granting paid time off for many federal employees, is temporary in nature unless Congress changes the statutes that define federal holidays.

How the public is affected, and what stays open

• Federal courts, the U.S. Postal Service, and other federal entities may follow specific schedules, so check agency notices for closure details. The White House order explicitly allows agency heads to determine necessary exceptions.
• Banks and stock exchanges are private or self‑regulated entities in many cases, and they announced they would remain open for trading on Dec 24 and Dec 26, 2025.
• State and local governments and private employers are not bound to follow the federal executive order. Many employers set their own holiday schedules, and some may offer discretionary closures or paid time off.

Table, at a glance: statutory holidays versus December 2025 executive closures

Frequently asked questions

• Am I entitled to the Dec 24 and Dec 26 days off if I am a federal employee? Most federal employees who are excused from duty will receive their basic pay for those days, but agency guidance will confirm details and exceptions for employees required to work.
• Are private employers required to close for those dates? No, private employers decide their own schedules, and many businesses kept regular hours. Some employers voluntarily matched the federal closures.
• Will the stock market be closed? No, major exchanges announced they would remain open on Dec 24 and Dec 26, 2025, though holiday trading hours can vary.

How to plan your calendar

If you are a federal employee, check your agency’s internal HR notices and payroll guidance, which will typically explain leave accounting, premium pay for required work, and other details. If you are a private employer, consider communicating your holiday schedule clearly, and make arrangements for staff who perform essential duties.

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Bottom line

The statutory federal holiday calendar for 2025 contained 11 established holidays, and a December 18, 2025 executive order directed that most executive departments and agencies be closed on December 24 and December 26, 2025, subject to exceptions. The move affects many federal workers, but it does not automatically change private sector schedules, and agencies will issue details about pay, leave, and exceptions. For the most reliable planning, consult your agency’s HR guidance and public notices from the Office of Personnel Management.