American Holidays in 2024

American Holidays: In the United States, people from different backgrounds celebrate special days that are important to them. Some celebrate Easter if they’re Christian, others have special days like Diwali if they’re Hindu. It’s like a big mix of traditions that make the country colorful and interesting. These celebrations help each group show who they are and where they come from, making America a diverse and exciting place.

In this article, we will take a look at the Federal and Non-Federal Holidays celebrated in the United States of America. Let’s get started!

American Holidays: Federal Holidays

Many government offices and some private businesses close on annual federal holidays. If the holiday falls during the weekend, the government may observe it on a different day.

Holiday	Date	Importance
New Year’s Day	January 1	Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year, often celebrated with resolutions and festivities.
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	Third Monday in January	Honors the civil rights leader and his contributions to equality and justice in America.
Inauguration Day	January 20 (every 4 years)	Marks the commencement of a new presidential term, symbolizing the peaceful transition of power in democracy.
Washington’s Birthday	Third Monday in February	Celebrates the first president of the United States, George Washington, and honors all U.S. presidents.
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May	Commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military, observed with remembrance ceremonies.
Juneteenth National Independence Day	June 19	Recognizes the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates African American freedom and achievement.
Independence Day	July 4	Marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, celebrated with fireworks, etc.
Labor Day	First Monday in September	Honors the American labor movement and the contributions of workers to the prosperity and well-being of the country.
Columbus Day	Second Monday in October	Commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas and the cultural contributions of Italian Americans.
Veterans Day	November 11	Pays tribute to all U.S. military veterans who have served in the armed forces, observed with ceremonies and gratitude.
Thanksgiving Day	Fourth Thursday in November	Traditionally a day of giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year, celebrated with feasting.
Christmas Day	December 25	Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, often observed with religious services, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

American Holidays: Non-Federal Holidays

Here’s a list of some notable non-federal holidays in the United States in 2024:

Holiday	Date	Importance
Groundhog Day	Friday, Feb. 2	Marks the tradition of predicting weather based on a groundhog’s shadow, a cultural event in North America.
Chinese New Year	Saturday, Feb. 10	Celebrates the beginning of the lunar new year, a significant cultural and traditional holiday for Chinese communities worldwide.
Mardi Gras	Tuesday, Feb. 13	Culminates the carnival season with festive parades, music, and parties, particularly in New Orleans.
Valentine’s Day	Wednesday, Feb. 14	Celebrates love and affection, often marked by the exchange of cards, flowers, and gifts between romantic partners.
Ash Wednesday	Wednesday, Feb. 14	Begins the season of Lent in Christianity, observed with fasting, repentance, and reflection among some Christian denominations.
Ramadan	Evening of March 10 through April 8	A month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
St. Patrick’s Day	Sunday, March 17	Celebrates Irish culture and the patron saint of Ireland, observed with parades, wearing green, and cultural festivities.
Nowruz	Wednesday, March 20 (varies)	Marks the Persian New Year and the beginning of spring, celebrated with cultural events, family gatherings, and feasting.
Holi	Monday, March 25	Hindu festival of colors, celebrating the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring, observed with vibrant festivities.
Good Friday	Friday, March 29	Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Christianity, observed with fasting, prayer, and solemn ceremonies.
Easter Sunday	Sunday, March 31	Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a central event in Christianity, observed with joyous festivities.
Cinco de Mayo	Sunday, May 5	Commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, celebrated with parades, music, and Mexican culture.
Mother’s Day	Sunday, May 12	Honors mothers and motherhood, celebrated with gifts, cards, and expressions of love and gratitude.
Flag Day	Friday, June 14	Commemorates the adoption of the United States flag, observed with patriotic displays and events.
Father’s Day	Sunday, June 16	Honors fathers and fatherhood, celebrated with gifts, cards, and expressions of love and gratitude.
Halloween	Thursday, Oct. 31	Celebrates the eve of All Saints’ Day, observed with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and spooky decorations.
Diwali	Begins Friday, Nov. 1	Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, celebrated with lamps, sweets, and fireworks.
Christmas Eve	Tuesday, Dec. 24	Marks the evening before Christmas Day, often celebrated with family gatherings, festive meals, and church services.
Hanukkah	Evening of Dec. 25 through Jan. 2	Jewish festival of lights, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, observed with menorah lighting, gifts, and traditional foods.
Kwanzaa	Thursday, Dec. 26 through Jan. 2	African-American cultural holiday, celebrating family, community, and African heritage, observed with feasting, storytelling, and gift-giving.
New Year’s Eve	Tuesday, Dec. 31	Celebrates the end of the current year and the anticipation of the upcoming one, often marked by parties and countdowns to midnight.

American Holidays: State Holidays

Each state and the District of Columbia have the authority to acknowledge and observe their own unique holidays, like Emancipation Day or Indigenous Peoples Day. These special occasions are dedicated to commemorating significant events and individuals that hold importance in the history and culture of a particular state.

American Holidays: Commonly Celebrated Holidays and Observances

Certain holidays, like Flag Day and Halloween, pay tribute to specific groups and events. It’s important to note that these are not considered federal holidays. However, some holidays and observances gain recognition through presidential proclamations, underscoring their significance on a broader scale.

American Holidays: Ethnic and Religious Holidays

Different ethnic and religious communities in the United States commemorate days that hold special significance for them. Examples of such holidays include Easter for Christians, the High Holy Days for Jews, Ramadan for Muslims, Day of Vesak for Buddhists, and Diwali for Hindus.

FAQs on American Holidays

What are some of the holidays in the USA?

• New Year’s Day January 1.
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday 3rd Monday of January.
• Washington’s Birthday 3rd Monday in February.
• Memorial Day was the last Monday in May.
• Juneteenth National Independence Day June 19.
• Independence Day is July 4.
• Labor Day 1st Monday in September.
• Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October.

What are the 3 major holidays?

Most popular national and religious holidays in the United States 2023. Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and Christmas are the most popular holidays in the United States.

Is Monday a bank holiday in USA?

For holidays falling on Saturday, Federal Reserve Banks and Branches will be open the preceding Friday. For holidays falling on Sunday, Federal Reserve Banks and Branches will be closed the following Monday.

What is the biggest holiday in the world?

Christmas, a global celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth with gift-giving and family feasts; Chinese New Year, marking the lunar new year with traditional festivities and reunions; and Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic festival concluding Ramadan with communal prayers and feasting.

Is Halloween a holiday in USA?

Though it is a popular celebration, Halloween is not a federal holiday, meaning that workers do not have the day off.