The State of Georgia 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. Georgia has adopted the federal holidays for its legal holidays. GA Statute 1-4-1; OPM Federal Holidays
- Public employers
- Private employers
- Federal Holidays
- Is New Yearโs a holiday in Georgia?
- Is New Yearโs Eve a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Presidentโs Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Good Friday a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Easter a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Memorial Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Juneteenth a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Independence Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Labor Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Columbus Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Election Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Veterans Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Christmas Eve a holiday in Georgia?
- Is Christmas Day a holiday in Georgia?
The following list contains the state holidays recognized by Georgia.
HOLIDAY | DATE |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day | January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
Washingtonโs Birthday | 3rd Monday in February |
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 |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
Public employers
The governor is required to close state offices and facilities 12 days per year to observe legal holidays and other specified holidays. The 10 legal holidays listed above must be included in the 12 days designated by the governor. Additionally, the governor must designate either January 19, April 26, or June 3, or a suitable date in lieu thereof to commemorate the events now observed by such dates. GA Statute 1-4-1
Private employers
Private employers in Georgia 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 Georgia’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
Is New Yearโs a holiday in Georgia?
New Yearโs day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
New Yearโs Eve is not a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
Presidentโs Day is a holiday in Georgia, although technically Georgia celebrates Washington’s Birthday instead of President’s Day. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Washington’s Birthday. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Washington’s Birthday if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a Georgia state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Washington’s Birthday. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Washington’s Birthday they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which Washington’s Birthday is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 19, 2024 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 17, 2025 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 14, 2028 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 19, 2029 |
Presidentโs Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Monday, February 18, 2030 |
Is Good Friday a holiday in Georgia?
Good Friday is not a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia?
Easter is not a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia?
Memorial Day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
Juneteenth Day (aka Emancipation Day) is not a holiday in Georgia. 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 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 Georgia?
Independence Day (July 4) is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
Labor Day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
Columbus Day is a holiday in Georgia. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Columbus Day. Employees may entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Columbus Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a Georgia state agency may be entitled to paid holiday leave on Columbus Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Columbus Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
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 Georgia?
Election Day is not a holiday in Georgia.
However, Georgia law requires employers to provide an employee up to two (2) hours of leave to vote if:
- the employee gives the employer reasonable notice of the need to take time off, and
- the polls are not open for at least two (2) hours before the employeeโs shift begins or after it ends.
Georgia law does not require employers to pay employees for voting leave. Also, the employer may determine that hours an employee may be absent to vote to minimize the disruption to business operations.
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 Georgia?
Veterans Day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia?
The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is not a holiday in Georgia. Neither private businesses nor public agencies are 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.
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 Georgia?
Christmas Eve is not a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia?
Christmas Day is a holiday in Georgia. 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 Georgia 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 |