Federal holidays in 2025 are especially important for government employees, private organizations, and citizens planning vacations or official work schedules. In December 2025, major attention shifted toward year-end holidays after a presidential executive decision granted additional time off to federal workers. These developments have made federal holidays 2025 a trending topic across the United States.
As of December 2025, the United States officially observes 11 federal holidays, including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. However, special announcements related to Christmas week, including Christmas Eve and December 26, have sparked nationwide discussion, particularly among federal employees.
The most notable update came when former President Donald Trump issued an executive order granting extra leave around Christmas. This move has reshaped conversations about new federal holidays 2025, especially regarding Christmas Eve federal holiday status and whether December 26 qualifies as a federal holiday.
Federal Holidays in the United States 2025
Federal holidays are established by law and apply primarily to federal government offices. On these days, non-essential federal offices close, and federal employees receive paid time off. While private businesses are not legally required to observe federal holidays, many align their schedules accordingly.
The purpose of federal holidays goes beyond time off; they honor historical events, national values, and cultural traditions. In 2025, discussions around holiday scheduling gained momentum due to the executive order impacting the Christmas season.
Federal Holidays 2025 List (Official Observances)
Below is a clear overview of officially recognized federal holidays in 2025:
| No. | Federal Holiday Name | Date (2025) | Day | Observed By Federal Offices | Paid Leave |
| 1 | New Year’s Day | January 1 | Wednesday | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 20 | Monday | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Washington’s Birthday | February 17 | Monday | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Memorial Day | May 26 | Monday | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | Thursday | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Independence Day | July 4 | Friday | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Labor Day | September 1 | Monday | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Columbus Day | October 13 | Monday | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Veterans Day | November 11 | Tuesday | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Thanksgiving Day | November 27 | Thursday | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Christmas Day | December 25 | Thursday | Yes | Yes |
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Christmas Eve Federal Holiday: Is Christmas Eve a Federal Holiday?
Traditionally, Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday. Federal offices typically remain open on December 24 unless it falls on a weekend or a special order is issued. However, in December 2025, the situation changed significantly.
A presidential executive order granted federal employees Christmas Eve off, effectively making it a one-time federal holiday for government workers. This decision reignited the debate: Did Trump make Christmas Eve a holiday? While not permanent, the executive order applied specifically to Christmas Eve in 2025.
Trump Federal Holiday Announcement and Executive Order
The Trump executive order Christmas Eve announcement granted most federal employees two consecutive days off around Christmas. This included Christmas Eve and an additional day following Christmas, depending on work schedules.
- It applied only to federal employees
- It did not permanently add Christmas Eve to the federal holiday calendar
- Essential services remained operational
This decision is often referred to as the Trump Christmas Eve federal holiday announcement and is widely discussed under Trump federal holiday Christmas updates.
December 26 Federal Holiday: Is December 26 a Federal Holiday?
Many employees asked, Is December 26 a federal holiday? The short answer is no. December 26 is not an official federal holiday. However, under the executive order, some federal workers received administrative leave on December 26, 2025.
This has led to confusion between:
- Official federal holidays
- Temporary administrative leave granted by executive order
As a result, phrases like dec 26 federal holiday and did Trump declare December 26 a holiday trended, even though the date was not formally added to the federal holiday list.
New Federal Holidays 2025: Permanent vs Temporary
There were no permanent new federal holidays 2025 added by Congress. The only changes involved temporary leave granted through executive authority.
• Christmas Eve off applied only to 2025
• December 26 off was situational and not universal
These changes benefited federal employees but did not alter the long-term federal holiday structure.
Impact on Federal Employees and Work Schedules
The executive order was widely welcomed by federal workers, particularly those traveling during the holiday season.
- Federal employees received extended holiday rest
- Agencies adjusted staffing for essential services
However, private sector employees did not automatically receive the same benefit, as federal holidays apply specifically to government operations.
FAQs about federal holiday in 2025
Q1. Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday in 2025?
No, Christmas Eve is not a permanent federal holiday, but federal employees received the day off in 2025 due to an executive order.
Q2. Is December 26 a federal holiday?
December 26 is not an official federal holiday, though some federal workers were granted leave in 2025.
Q3. Did Trump declare Christmas Eve a federal holiday?
Trump issued an executive order granting federal employees Christmas Eve off in 2025, but it was not made permanent.
Conclusion
Federal holidays 2025 followed the traditional U.S. calendar, with Christmas Day remaining the final official holiday of the year. However, the Trump federal holiday executive order introduced temporary changes that gave federal employees additional time off during Christmas week. While Christmas Eve and December 26 gained attention, neither was permanently added to the federal holiday list.
Understanding the difference between official holidays and executive leave is essential for planning work schedules and travel. As discussions around work-life balance continue, similar holiday adjustments may resurface in the future.
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