How many federal holidays are there? Make sure you don't miss your days off in 2023-24

From New Year's Day to Christmas, there are many holidays that take place within a calendar year. But, not all holidays are officially recognized. In the U.S., a handful are considered "federal holidays," and are designated by the federal government.

On these federal holidays, non-essential federal offices are closed and government employees receive pay while having the day off. Other establishments, such as schools, businesses and banks, may also receive paid time off on federal holidays.

If you're looking to know how many federal holidays are there or want to maximize your PTO, read on.

How many federal holidays are there?

There are 11 federal holidays each year in the U.S.:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
• Presidents' Day (Third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday of November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

If you work in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, you get an additional holiday every four years. Inauguration Day is held on January 20 of every fourth year. Nowhere else in the country has this day off.

Federal holiday calendar 2023-2024

Here are the dates for the federal holidays from 2023 to 2024:

• Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4, 2023
• Labor Day: Sept. 4, 2023
• Columbus Day: Oct. 9, 2023
• Veterans Day: Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 (observed), Nov. 11, 2023
• Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 23, 2023
• Christmas Day: Monday, Dec. 25, 2023
• New Year's Day: Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 15, 2024
• Presidents' Day: Feb. 19, 2024
• Memorial Day: May 27, 2024
• Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

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