
The State of California has designated several days each calendar year as state holidays. The implications of these state holidays on public employers and private employers is discussed below.
- Public employers
- Private employers
- Federal Holidays
- Is New Yearโs a holiday in California?
- Is New Yearโs Eve a holiday in California?
- Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in California?
- Is Presidentโs Day a holiday in California?
- Is Good Friday a holiday in California?
- Is Easter a holiday in California?
- Is Memorial Day a holiday in California?
- Is Juneteenth a holiday in California?
- Is Independence Day a holiday in California?
- Is Labor Day a holiday in California?
- Is Columbus Day a holiday in California?
- Is Election Day a holiday in California?
- Is Veterans Day a holiday in California?
- Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in California?
- Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in California?
- Is Christmas Eve a holiday in California?
- Is Christmas Day a holiday in California?
- California State Holidays FAQs
The following list contains the state holidays recognized by California.
HOLIDAY | DATE |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day | January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
Lunar New Year | The date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene |
Lincolnโs Birthday | February 12 |
Presidentโs Birthday | 3rd Monday in February |
Cesar Chavez Day | March 31 |
Good Friday from 12 noon until 3 p.m. | Date varies from year to year but usually occurs in March or April |
Genocide Remembrance Day | April 24 |
Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
Juneteenth | June 19 |
Independence Day | July 4 |
Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
Admission Day | September 9 |
Native American Day | 4th Friday in September |
Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October |
Veterans Day | November 11 |
Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday in November |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
Any day appointed by the President or Governor for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday |
When New Year’s Day, Lincoln Day, Cesar Chavez Day, July 4th, Admission Day, Veteran’s Day, or Christmas fall on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If Veteran’s Day falls on Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. CA Government Code 6701, CA Government Code 19853 When laws, ordinances, or charters provide that public offices shall be closed on holidays and a holiday falls on a Saturday, noon to midnight is a holiday as regards to the transaction of business in the public offices of the state or political divisions on that Saturday. CA Government Code 6702 The governor may designate additional holidays. CA Government Code 6701
Public employers
State employees are entitled to the following holidays:
HOLIDAY | DATE |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day | January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
Presidentโs Birthday | 3rd Monday in February |
Cesar Chavez Day | March 31 |
Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
Independence Day | July 4 |
Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October |
Veterans Day | November 11 |
Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday in November |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | 4th Friday in November |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
If state employees are required to work on a holiday, they are entitled to receive straight-time pay and eight hours of holiday credit. CA Government Code 19853 Different rules may apply to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5. See CA Government Code 19853.1
Full-time state employees who have worked for the state for at least six months are entitled to one personal holiday per year, which is credited on July 1. State offices may require employees to provide at least five working days’ advance notice before taking personal holiday leave and may deny requests due to operational needs. CA Government Code 19854 State employees, as defined in CA Government Code 3513(c), elect to take their personal holiday on Lunar New Year, Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24), Juneteenth (June 19) or Native American Day (4th Friday in September). CA Government Code 19853(e)
City offices must be closed on the holidays listed above unless the city has designated otherwise by charter, ordinance, or resolution. CA Government Code 6702 Counties may pass ordinance or resolutions that provide an alternative day as a holiday when any of the above listed holidays fall on a Saturday, except for employees working as court attaches. CA Government Code 6701
State offices and institutions and the University of California must be closed on Admission Day. State offices, agencies, and institutions, including the Legislature and the University of California, must be closed on Veteran’s Day. If Veteran’s Day falls on a Saturday, it is observed the prior Friday. CA Government Code 6703
Cities and districts may pass ordinances or resolutions designating every Saturday as a holiday; however, the ordinances or resolutions must provide for the continuation of essential public services such as police and fire protection. CA Government Code 6704
Public schools
Public schools must be closed on:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or the Monday or Friday in the week in which January 15 falls
- The Monday or Friday of the week in which Lincoln Day falls
- Washington Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Any other day designated by the president or governor
- Any other day designated by the governing school board
When a holiday falls on a Saturday, schools must be closed the prior Friday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, schools must be closed the following Sunday. School district may change the day a holiday listed above is observed, except for Veterans Day. CA Education Code 37220 Public schools may also be closed on Cesar Chavez Day or the Monday preceding or Friday following that day, CA Education Code 37220.5, Native American Day (4th Friday in September), CA Education Code 37220.7, and Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24).
Private employers
Private employers in California are not required to close on any of the listed holidays. Additionally, private employers are not required to allow employees to take either paid or unpaid time off on the holidays nor are they required to pay employees any premium wage rates to employees who work on the holidays.
Private employers may establish policies or practices granting employees time off on any of the listed holidays or agree to pay premium wage rates to employees who work on those days. Employers who establish such policies or practices may be required to comply with them.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
Is New Yearโs a holiday in California?
New Yearโs day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on New Yearโs day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโs Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on New Yearโs Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on New Yearโs Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโs Day will fall in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2024 | Monday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2025 | Wednesday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2027 | Friday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2028 | Saturday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2029 | Monday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2030 | Tuesday |
Is New Yearโs Eve a holiday in California?
New Yearโs Eve is not a holiday in California. Also, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on New Yearโs day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโs Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโs Eve will fall in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2024 | Sunday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2025 | Tuesday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2027 | Thursday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2028 | Friday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2029 | Sunday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2030 | Monday |
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in California?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 15, 2024 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 20, 2025 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 19, 2026 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 18, 2027 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 19, 2028 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 15, 2029 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 21, 2030 |
Is Presidentโs Day a holiday in California?
Presidentโs Day is a holiday in California, although technically California does not celebrates but instead just the 3rd Monday in February.
However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Presidentโs Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Presidentโs Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Presidentโs Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Presidentโs Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Presidentโs Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 19, 2024 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 17, 2025 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 14, 2028 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 19, 2029 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 18, 2030 |
Is Good Friday a holiday in California?
Good Friday is a holiday in California from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. However, neither private businesses or government agencies are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Good Friday. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Good Friday if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Good Friday is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Good Friday | Friday, March 29, 2024 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 18, 2025 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 03, 2026 |
Good Friday | Friday, March 26, 2027 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 14, 2028 |
Good Friday | Friday, March 30, 2029 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 19, 2024 |
Is Easter a holiday in California?
Easter is not a holiday in California. Also, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Easter. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Easter Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Easter is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Easter | Sunday, March 31, 2024 |
Easter | Sunday, April 20, 2025 |
Easter | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
Easter | Sunday, March 28, 2027 |
Easter | Monday, April 16, 2028 |
Easter | Tuesday, April 1, 2029 |
Easter | Wednesday, April 21, 2030 |
Is Memorial Day a holiday in California?
Memorial Day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Memorial Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Memorial Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Memorial Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Memorial Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Memorial Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Memorial Day | Monday, May 27, 2024 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 26, 2025 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 31, 2027 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 29, 2028 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 28, 2029 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 27, 2030 |
Is Juneteenth a holiday in California?
Juneteenth Day (aka Emancipation Day) is a holiday in California. However, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Juneteenth Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Juneteenth Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Juneteenth Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Juneteenth, June 19, 2024 | Wednesday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2025 | Thursday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2026 | Friday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2027 | Saturday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2028 | Monday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2029 | Tuesday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2030 | Wednesday |
Is Independence Day a holiday in California?
Independence Day (July 4) is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Independence Day. Employees may only be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Independence Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Independence Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Independence Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Independence Day is celebrated in future years. Also, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on July 3. If Independence Day falls on a Sunday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on July 5:
YEAR | DAY OF THE WEEK |
---|---|
Independence Day, July 4, 2024 | Thursday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2025 | Friday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2026 | Saturday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2027 | Sunday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2028 | Tuesday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2029 | Wednesday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2030 | Thursday |
Is Labor Day a holiday in California?
Labor Day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Labor Day. Employees may entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Labor Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Labor Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Labor Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Labor Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Labor Day | Monday, September 2, 2024 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 6, 2027 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 4, 2028 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 3, 2029 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 2, 2030 |
Is Columbus Day a holiday in California?
Columbus Day is a holiday in California. However, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Columbus Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Columbus Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Columbus Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Columbus Day | Monday, October 14, 2024 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 13, 2025 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 11, 2027 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 9, 2028 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 8, 2029 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 14, 2030 |
Is Election Day a holiday in California?
Election Day is not a holiday in California.
However, California law requires employers to provide employees with sufficient time off to vote.ย
The time off must be either before the employeesโ shifts begin or after their shifts end, unless otherwise agreed to by the employer and employee.
The employer is only required to pay employees for up to two (2) hours of time off to vote.
Employers must give their employer at least three daysโ notice of their intention to take voting leave if they know or have reason to know the leave will be necessary.
At least ten (10) days prior to the date of the election, an employer shall post notice conspicuously so that workers can see the law pertaining to their voting rights. This is according to the CA Election Code 14001.
Below are the dates on which Election Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 5, 2024 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 2, 2027 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 7, 2028 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 6, 2029 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 5, 2030 |
Is Veterans Day a holiday in California?
Veterans Day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Veterans Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Veterans Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Veterans Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Veterans Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Veterans Day is celebrated in future years. Also, if Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on Friday, November 10. If Veterans Day falls on a Sunday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on Monday, November 12:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Veterans Day | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
Veterans Day | Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
Veterans Day | Thursday, November 11, 2027 |
Veterans Day | Saturday, November 11, 2028 |
Veterans Day | Sunday, November 11, 2029 |
Veterans Day | Monday, November 11, 2030 |
Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in California?
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Thanksgiving Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Thanksgiving Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Thanksgiving Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Thanksgiving Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 27, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25, 2027 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 23, 2028 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 22, 2029 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28, 2030 |
Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in California?
The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is not a holiday in California. Private businesses agencies are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on the day after Thanksgiving Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
However, employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which the Friday after Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 29, 2024 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 28, 2025 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 27, 2026 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 26, 2027 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 24, 2028 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 23, 2029 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 29, 2030 |
Is Christmas Eve a holiday in California?
Christmas Eve is not a holiday in California. Neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Christmas Eve. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Christmas Eve if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 | Tuesday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026 | Thursday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2027 | Friday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2028 | Sunday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2029 | Monday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2030 | Tuesday |
Is Christmas Day a holiday in California?
Christmas Day is a holiday in California. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Christmas Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Christmas Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a California state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Christmas Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Christmas Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Christmas Day is celebrated in future years. Also, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on Friday, December 24. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, businesses and the government may provide holiday time off on Monday, December 26:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Christmas Day, December 25, 2024 | Wednesday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2025 | Thursday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2026 | Friday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2027 | Saturday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2028 | Monday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2029 | Tuesday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2030 | Wednesday |
California State Holidays FAQs
Are there state holidays unique to California?
Aside from celebrating all federal holidays, California observes Rosa Parks Day on February 4 and Cรฉsar Chรกvez Day on March 31. California also considers the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
What should business owners in California keep in mind about holidays?
Some of the most important pieces of information an employer should remember are:
- The state of California celebrates Columbus Day. However, it is not considered a paid holiday for workers.
- An employer should provide employees holiday credit whenever holidays fall on a Saturday.
- Holidays that fall on a Sunday get celebrated the next day.
- Employees are entitled to get one personal holiday yearly.
- Finally, not everyone gets a day off during Cรฉsar Chรกvez Day. There are a lot of schools and businesses that still operate on March 31, regardless.