The State of Delaware has designated several days each calendar year as state holidays. The implications of these state holidays on public employers and private employers are discussed below.
The following list contains the state holidays recognized by Delaware.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Good Friday (usually falls in March or April)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Friday After Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Saturday
- General Election Day (Biennially)
- Return Day (2nd day after general election after 12 noon, in Sussex Country only)
If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If a legal holiday falls on a Saturday (except for Saturdays), it is observed on the prior Friday. DE Statute 1-501, DE Statute 29-5104
Public employers
Public employers must observe state holidays. DE Statute 1-501
Public Schools
All schools, including colleges and other institutions of learning, must be closed on any day a general election is held. DE Statute 14-4107 Veteran’s day is a legal holiday of all employees of public school districts and charter School. If Veteran’s Day falls on a Saturday, it is observed the prior Friday. If Veterans’ Day falls on a Sunday, it is observed the following Monday. DE Statute 1-501
Private employers
Private employers in Delaware 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 holiday 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.
Find out more about Delaware’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
