South Carolina State Holidays


South Carolina stamp

The State of South Carolina 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 South Carolina.

HOLIDAYDATE
New Yearโ€™s DayJanuary 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday3rd Monday in January
George Washingtonโ€™s Birthday / Presidentsโ€™ Day3rd Monday in February
Confederate Memorial DayMay 10
Memorial DayLast Monday in May
Independence DayJuly 4
Labor Day1st Monday in September
Veterans DayNovember 11
Thanksgiving Day4th Thursday in November
The Day after Thanksgiving Day4th Friday in November
The Day before ChristmasDecember 24
Christmas DayDecember 25
The Day after Christmas DayDecember 26

SC Statute 53-5-10

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. SC Statute 53-5-30


Public employers

State employees, other than those working for agencies following academic schedules, who are required to work on a legal holiday must be granted compensatory time at the convenience of their employing agency within 90 days of the holiday. State employees working for agencies following academic schedules who are required to work on a legal holiday must be granted compensatory time at the convenience of their employing agency within one year of the holiday.

If a non-exempt employee is not allowed to take the compensatory time earned within the relevant period, the employing agency must compensate them for all compensatory time at their straight hourly rate, unless the employing agency has received an extension to the compensatory time use period from the Budget and Control Board. State employees who do not work a Monday through Friday schedule must be awarded the same number of holiday as employees who works such a schedule. SC Statute 8-11-50


Private employers

Private employers in South Carolina 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 South Carolina’s Leave Laws.


Federal Holidays

Click here for a list of federal holidays.


Is New Yearโ€™s a holiday in South Carolina?

New Yearโ€™s day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 Yearโ€™s day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโ€™s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.

Employees who work for a South Carolina state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on New Yearโ€™s Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on New Yearโ€™s 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 Yearโ€™s Day will fall in future years:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2024Monday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2025Wednesday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2026Thursday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2027Friday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2028Saturday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2029Monday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2030Tuesday

Is New Yearโ€™s Eve a holiday in South Carolina?

New Yearโ€™s Eve is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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 Yearโ€™s day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโ€™s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.

Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโ€™s Eve will fall in future years:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2024Sunday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2025Tuesday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2026Wednesday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2027Thursday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2028Friday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2029Sunday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2030Monday

Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in South Carolina?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 15, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 20, 2025
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 19, 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 18, 2027
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 19, 2028
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 15, 2029
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 21, 2030

Is Presidentโ€™s Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Presidentโ€™s Day is a holiday in South Carolina, although technically South Carolina celebrates Washington’s Birthday instead of President’s Day. Also, South Carolina recognizes Lincoln’s Birthday which is February 12.

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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 19, 2024
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 17, 2025
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 16, 2026
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 15, 2027
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 14, 2028
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 19, 2029
Presidentโ€™s Day (Washington’s Birthday)Monday, February 18, 2030

Is Good Friday a holiday in South Carolina?

Good Friday is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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:

YEARDATE
Good FridayFriday, March 29, 2024
Good FridayFriday, April 18, 2025
Good FridayFriday, April 03, 2026
Good FridayFriday, March 26, 2027
Good FridayFriday, April 14, 2028
Good FridayFriday, March 30, 2029
Good FridayFriday, April 19, 2024

Is Easter a holiday in South Carolina?

Easter is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
EasterSunday, March 31, 2024
EasterSunday, April 20, 2025
EasterSunday, April 5, 2026
EasterSunday, March 28, 2027
EasterMonday, April 16, 2028
EasterTuesday, April 1, 2029
EasterWednesday, April 21, 2030

Is Memorial Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Memorial Day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Memorial DayMonday, May 27, 2024
Memorial DayMonday, May 26, 2025
Memorial DayMonday, May 25, 2026
Memorial DayMonday, May 31, 2027
Memorial DayMonday, May 29, 2028
Memorial DayMonday, May 28, 2029
Memorial DayMonday, May 27, 2030

Is Juneteenth a holiday in South Carolina?

Juneteenth Day (aka Emancipation Day) is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Juneteenth, June 19, 2024Wednesday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2025Thursday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2026Friday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2027Saturday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2028Monday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2029Tuesday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2030Wednesday

Is Independence Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Independence Day (July 4) is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDAY OF THE WEEK
Independence Day, July 4, 2024Thursday
Independence Day, July 4, 2025Friday
Independence Day, July 4, 2026Saturday
Independence Day, July 4, 2027Sunday
Independence Day, July 4, 2028Tuesday
Independence Day, July 4, 2029Wednesday
Independence Day, July 4, 2030Thursday

Is Labor Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Labor Day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Labor DayMonday, September 2, 2024
Labor DayMonday, September 1, 2025
Labor DayMonday, September 7, 2026
Labor DayMonday, September 6, 2027
Labor DayMonday, September 4, 2028
Labor DayMonday, September 3, 2029
Labor DayMonday, September 2, 2030

Is Columbus Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Columbus Day is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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 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:

YEARDATE
Columbus DayMonday, October 14, 2024
Columbus DayMonday, October 13, 2025
Columbus DayMonday, October 12, 2026
Columbus DayMonday, October 11, 2027
Columbus DayMonday, October 9, 2028
Columbus DayMonday, October 8, 2029
Columbus DayMonday, October 14, 2030

Is Election Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Election Day is not a holiday in South Carolina. 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 Election Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Election Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.

Below are the dates on which Election Day is celebrated in future years:

YEARDATE
General Election DayTuesday, November 5, 2024
General Election DayTuesday, November 4, 2025
General Election DayTuesday, November 3, 2026
General Election DayTuesday, November 2, 2027
General Election DayTuesday, November 7, 2028
General Election DayTuesday, November 6, 2029
General Election DayTuesday, November 5, 2030

Is Veterans Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Veterans Day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Veterans DayMonday, November 11, 2024
Veterans DayTuesday, November 11, 2025
Veterans DayWednesday, November 11, 2026
Veterans DayThursday, November 11, 2027
Veterans DaySaturday, November 11, 2028
Veterans DaySunday, November 11, 2029
Veterans DayMonday, November 11, 2030

Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 27, 2025
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 26, 2026
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 25, 2027
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 23, 2028
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 22, 2029
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 28, 2030

Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in South Carolina?

The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in South Carolina. However, private businesses 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.

Employees who work for a South Carolina 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:

YEARDATE
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 29, 2024
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 28, 2025
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 27, 2026
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 26, 2027
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 24, 2028
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 23, 2029
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 29, 2030

Is Christmas Eve a holiday in South Carolina?

Christmas Eve is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 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.

Employees who work for a South Carolina state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on Christmas Eve. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on Christmas Eve they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.

Below are the dates on which Christmas Eve is celebrated in future years:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024Tuesday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025Wednesday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026Thursday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2027Friday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2028Sunday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2029Monday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2030Tuesday

Is Christmas Day a holiday in South Carolina?

Christmas Day is a holiday in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Christmas Day, December 25, 2024Wednesday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2025Thursday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2026Friday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2027Saturday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2028Monday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2029Tuesday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2030Wednesday
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