As 2025 approaches, it’s important to know the key holidays and observances in the United States. From federal holidays to cultural observances and state-specific celebrations, the U.S. offers a diverse range of special days to honor history, traditions, and people.
Whether you’re planning ahead for time off, celebrations, or simply want to learn more about the significance of each day, this guide covers what to celebrate and when in 2025.
U.S. Holidays and Observances
Here’s the complete list of Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2025 as requested, with additional dates and details:
Date | Holiday/Observance | Type | Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 Jan | New Year’s Day | State Holiday, Federal Holiday | Celebrates the start of the new year with parties, fireworks, and resolutions. |
2 Jan | Last Day of Chanukah | Jewish Holiday | The final day of the eight-day Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. |
6 Jan | Epiphany | Christian | Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, symbolizing Jesus’ manifestation to the Gentiles. |
7 Jan | Orthodox Christmas Day | Orthodox | Observes the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar. |
7 Jan | Estelle Reel Day | State Observance (Wyoming) | Honors Estelle Reel, the first woman to hold a national public office as Superintendent of Indian Schools. |
8 Jan | Battle of New Orleans | State Legal Holiday (Louisiana) | Commemorates the final major battle of the War of 1812, led by Andrew Jackson. |
10 Jan | Asarah B’Tevet | Jewish Holiday | A Jewish fast day mourning the siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian forces. |
13 Jan | Stephen Foster Memorial Day | Observance | Celebrates Stephen Foster, composer of classic American folk songs like “Oh! Susanna.” |
14 Jan | Orthodox New Year | Orthodox | Marks the start of the Julian calendar year. |
19 Jan | Robert E. Lee’s Birthday | State Legal Holiday (FL), State Holiday (AL, MS) | Commemorates the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. |
19 Jan | Confederate Heroes’ Day | State Holiday (Texas) | Honors individuals who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. |
20 Jan | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | State Holiday, Federal Holiday | Celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
20 Jan | Idaho Human Rights Day | State Holiday (Idaho) | Celebrates human rights and equality, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
20 Jan | Civil Rights Day | State Holiday (Arizona, New Hampshire) | Honors the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders. |
20 Jan | Inauguration Day | Federal Holiday (DC, MD*, VA*) | Occurs every four years when the U.S. President is inaugurated. |
27 Jan | Isra and Mi’raj (Tentative Date) | Muslim | Commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens. |
29 Jan | Kansas Day | State Observance (Kansas) | Celebrates Kansas’ admission to the Union as the 34th state in 1861. |
29 Jan | Lunar New Year | Observance | Celebrated across Asian communities to mark the start of the lunar calendar year. |
1 Feb | National Freedom Day | Observance | Commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. |
1 Feb | First Day of Black History Month | Annual Monthly Observance | A month dedicated to recognizing African-American history and achievements. |
2 Feb | Groundhog Day | Observance | A folklore tradition predicting the length of winter based on whether a groundhog sees its shadow. |
4 Feb | Rosa Parks Day | Local Observance (CA, MO), State Observance (NY) | Honors civil rights icon Rosa Parks and her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. |
5 Feb | National Girls and Women in Sports Day | Observance | Celebrates the achievements of female athletes and promotes girls’ participation in sports. |
6 Feb | Ronald Reagan Day | State Observance (California) | Honors former President Ronald Reagan’s legacy. |
7 Feb | National Wear Red Day | Observance | Raises awareness of heart disease in women by encouraging people to wear red. |
9 Feb | Super Bowl | Sporting Event | The championship game of the NFL, watched by millions globally. |
12 Feb | Lincoln’s Birthday | State Holiday (CT, IL, MO, NY) | Celebrates the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who led the nation through the Civil War. |
14 Feb | Valentine’s Day | Observance | A day to celebrate love and affection, typically with cards, flowers, and gifts. |
14 Feb | Statehood Day | Local Observance (Arizona) | Marks the day Arizona became a U.S. state in 1912. |
15 Feb | Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday | State Observance (CO, FL, NY, WI) | Honors Susan B. Anthony, a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement. |
16 Feb | Elizabeth Peratrovich Day | State Observance (Alaska) | Honors Elizabeth Peratrovich, a civil rights leader for Alaska Natives. |
17 Feb | Presidents’ Day | Federal and State Holiday | Celebrates U.S. Presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. |
17 Feb | Daisy Gatson Bates Day | State Holiday (Arkansas) | Honors Daisy Gatson Bates, a civil rights activist and mentor to the Little Rock Nine. |
25 Feb | African-American Scientist and Inventor Day | State Observance (Virginia) | Celebrates African-American contributions to science and invention. |
25 Feb | George Rogers Clark Day | State Observance (Indiana) | Honors George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War hero. |
1 Mar | St. David’s Day | Observance, Christian | Celebrates St. David, the patron saint of Wales. |
1 Mar | First Day of Women’s History Month | Annual Monthly Observance | A month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to history, society, and culture. |
1 Mar | First Day of Irish American Heritage Month | Annual Monthly Observance | Celebrates the heritage and contributions of Irish Americans. |
2 Mar | Texas Independence Day | State Holiday (Texas) | Commemorates the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. |
3 Mar | Casimir Pulaski Day | State Observance (Illinois, Indiana) | Honors Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War hero of Polish descent. |
3 Mar | Read Across America Day | Observance | Promotes reading and literacy, celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss. |
4 Mar | Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras | State Holiday (AL, FL**, LA, MS), Christian Observance | A celebration with parades and feasts before the Lenten season of fasting and reflection begins. |
5 Mar | Ash Wednesday | Christian | Marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance for Christians. |
7 Mar | Employee Appreciation Day | Observance | A day to recognize the contributions of employees across industries. |
9 Mar | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time | Clocks move forward one hour to make better use of daylight in the spring and summer months. |
14 Mar | Holi | Hindu Holiday | The “Festival of Colors,” celebrating the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. |
14 Mar | Purim | Jewish Holiday | A joyous festival commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. |
17 Mar | St. Patrick’s Day | Observance, Christian | Honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and is widely celebrated with parades and wearing green. |
17 Mar | Evacuation Day | State Holiday (Massachusetts) | Commemorates the British evacuation of Boston during the American Revolutionary War. |
20 Mar | March Equinox | Seasonal | Marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere when day and night are approximately equal in length. |
25 Mar | Maryland Day | State Observance (Maryland) | Celebrates the founding of Maryland in 1634. |
26 Mar | Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day | State Holiday (Hawaii) | Honors Prince Jonah Kūhiō, an advocate for Hawaiian rights and the creation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. |
29 Mar | National Vietnam War Veterans Day | Observance | Honors Vietnam War veterans and their sacrifices. |
30 Mar | Doctors’ Day | Observance | Celebrates doctors for their contributions to healthcare. |
31 Mar | Seward’s Day | State Holiday (Alaska) | Commemorates the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty in 1867. |
31 Mar | César Chávez Day | State Holiday (CA, AZ, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT, WA) | Honors civil rights leader César Chávez, who worked to improve conditions for farm workers. |
2 Apr | Pascua Florida Day | Local Observance (Florida) | Celebrates the naming of Florida by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513. |
6 Apr | National Tartan Day | Observance | Honors Scottish heritage in the United States. |
12 Apr | Passover Eve | Jewish Holiday | The evening before Passover, commemorating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. |
13 Apr | Palm Sunday | Christian | Marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, celebrated with the blessing of palm branches. |
13 Apr | Passover (First Day) | Jewish Holiday | The first day of the Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. |
15 Apr | Tax Day | Observance | The deadline for filing annual income tax returns in the U.S. |
16 Apr | Emancipation Day | State Holiday (DC) | Celebrates the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C., in 1862. |
17 Apr | Maundy Thursday | Christian | Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples. |
18 Apr | Good Friday | State Holiday (Multiple States) | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, often marked with solemn church services. |
21 Apr | Easter Monday | Observance, Christian | Celebrates the day after Easter, often a continuation of the Easter celebrations. |
21 Apr | Patriots’ Day | State Holiday (MA, ME) | Honors the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. |
21 Apr | San Jacinto Day | State Holiday (Texas) | Celebrates the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas won its independence from Mexico. |
22 Apr | Oklahoma Day | Local Observance (Oklahoma) | Commemorates the opening of the “Unassigned Lands” in Oklahoma in 1889. |
23 Apr | Yom HaShoah | Jewish Commemoration | Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. |
24 Apr | Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day | Observance | A day for parents to bring their children to work to give them a glimpse of working life. |
25 Apr | Arbor Day | State Holiday (Nebraska), State Observance (Multiple States) | Celebrates tree planting and promotes environmental awareness. |
26 Apr | Confederate Memorial Day | State Legal Holiday (Florida), State Holiday (AL, MS) | Honors Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War. |
1 May | Yom Ha’atzmaut | Jewish Holiday | Celebrates Israeli Independence Day. |
1 May | National Day of Prayer | Observance | A day of prayer for the nation, observed by people of various faiths. |
5 May | Cinco de Mayo | Observance | Celebrates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. |
8 May | Truman Day | State Holiday (Missouri) | Honors President Harry S. Truman, born in Missouri, and his contributions during and after World War II. |
9 May | Military Spouse Appreciation Day | Observance | Recognizes the sacrifices and support of military spouses. |
11 May | Mother’s Day | Observance | Celebrates and honors mothers and maternal figures. |
26 May | Memorial Day | Federal Holiday | Honors the men and women who have died in military service to the United States. |
19 Jun | Juneteenth | Federal Holiday | Celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, especially in Texas. |
4 Jul | Independence Day | Federal and State Holiday | Celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with fireworks and patriotic displays. |
11 Nov | Veterans Day | Federal Holiday | Honors military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
28 Nov | Thanksgiving Day | Federal Holiday | A day of gratitude, celebrated with feasts and gatherings with family and friends. |
25 Dec | Christmas Day | Federal Holiday | Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, often marked by gift-giving and festive meals. |
26 Dec | Kwanzaa (First Day) | Observance | A week-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage, focusing on seven principles of unity and self-determination. |
Conclusion
Whether you’re celebrating religious observances, honoring historical moments, or simply enjoying festive traditions, the holidays and observances in the U.S. in 2025 offer a chance to reflect, celebrate, and come together as a community.
Keep this guide handy to stay informed on what’s happening and when, and make the most of each special day.