What to know about Labor Day and its history
Labor Day is more than just barbecues, shopping sales and a long weekend. Here’s what to know about the federal holiday.
With summer break nearly over and September right around the corner, it means everyone is returning to school or work. So, when is the next holiday?
From New Year’s Day in January to Christmas Day in December, there are 11 federal holidays officially observed by the federal government, banking institutions, the U.S. Postal Service, most schools, and many private businesses.
It’s late August and we’ve already had six federal holidays in 2025, including New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (Jan. 20), Washington’s birthday/Presidents’ Day (Feb. 17), Memorial Day (May 26), Juneteenth Day (June 20) and Independence Day (July 4). So which ones are remaining?
Here’s a list of the remaining federal holidays in 2025, along with their dates.
What’s a federal holiday?
A federal holiday is a scheduled (and paid) day off for non-essential employees of the US federal government. Schools, banks, financial markets, major grocery chains and retailers typically observe federal holidays, too.
Federal holidays, also referred to as public holidays, are designated by Congress and recognized by the government.
Federal employees typically receive 11 public holiday days per calendar year, plus an additional day when a new president is inaugurated.
Remaining federal holidays in 2025: See list
According to the US Office of Personnel Management, only five federal holidays remain in 2025. See the calendar dates for the ones that are left below:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 1
- Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples Day): Monday, Oct. 13
- Veterans Day: Tuesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Christmas Day: Thursday, Dec. 25
How to turn federal holidays into longer vacations
Creating extended breaks through the rest of 2025 is simple; all you have to do is smartly combine federal holidays with a few days of paid time off (PTO), or any other “free” days stored in your employer-sponsored time bank, Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, previously told USA TODAY.
You could have up to 20 consecutive days off between Labor Day and Christmas Day, if you’re willing to plan it out.
Here’s how to do it.
For Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1):
- Request PTO for Friday, Aug. 29
- Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Aug. 29–Sept. 1)
For Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples Day) (Monday, Oct. 13):
- Request PTO for Friday, Oct. 10
- Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Oct. 10–13)
For Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11):
- Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 10
- Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Nov. 8–11)
For Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27)
- Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 24; Tuesday, Nov. 25, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 28 (unless you have Friday off already)
- Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Nov. 22–30)
For Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25):
- Request PTO for Monday, Dec. 22; Tuesday, Dec. 23; Wednesday, Dec. 24 (unless you get Christmas Eve off) and Friday, Dec. 26
- Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Dec. 20–28)
Contributing: Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
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