The State of Maryland 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 Maryland.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (January 15, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12)
- Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday in February)
- Maryland Day (March 25)
- Good Friday (the Friday before Easter, usually falls in March or April)
- Memorial Day (May 30, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Defenders’ Day (September 12)
- Columbus Day (October 12, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- American Indian Heritage (Friday After Thanksgiving Day)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Statewide General Election Day
The President of the United States or the governor may designate additional days as legal holidays. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. MD Statutes, General Provisions 1-111
Public employers
Most employees who work in state offices are entitled to paid leave for the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (January 15, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Presidents’ Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (May 30, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (October 12, unless designated as a different date by the United States government)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- American Indian Heritage (Friday After Thanksgiving Day)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Statewide General Election Day
- any other day the President of the United States or the governor designates for general cessation of business.
MD Statute, State Personnel and Pensions 9-201, 203
Employees not entitled to paid leave of the above listed include temporary employees, employees of the State Department of Transportation, and employees in units authorized or required by law to establish a different holiday schedule. MD Statue, State Personnel and Pensions 9-202 If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. MD Statute, State Personnel and Pensions 9-204
When employees are required to work on a holiday, they must receive compensatory leave for the time worked. Employees included in the Executive Pay Plan at a pay grade of (ES) 6 or above may only receive compensatory leave if they work 5 or more hours on a holiday and will receive 1 day of compensatory time. Employees must use compensatory time within 1 year of receiving it. MD Statute, State Personnel and Pensions 9-205
Private employers
Private employers in Maryland 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.
Find out more about Maryland’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
