The State of West Virginia 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.
- Public employers
- Private employers
- Federal Holidays
- Is New Year’s a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is New Year’s Eve a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is President’s Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Good Friday a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Easter a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Memorial Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Juneteenth a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Independence Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Labor Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Columbus Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is General Election Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Veterans Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Christmas Eve a holiday in West Virginia?
- Is Christmas Day a holiday in West Virginia?
The following list contains the national and state holidays recognized by West Virginia.
| HOLIDAY | DATE |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
| Presidents’ Day | 3rd Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| West Virginia Day | June 20 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October |
| General Election Day | 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of November |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday in November |
| Lincoln’s Day | Day after Thanksgiving Day |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Any day proclaimed or ordered by the Governor of West Virginia or the President of the United States as a day of special observance or Thanksgiving, or a day for the general cessation of business |
If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. WV Statute 2-2-1(b)
Public employers
The Governor may designate the legal holidays for which state employees are granted paid leave. County commissions may designate the legal holidays for which county employees are granted paid leave. WV Statute 2-2-1(c) Special rules apply to police officers (WV Statute 8-14-2a), firefighters (WV Statute 8-15-10a), deputy sheriffs (WV Statute 7-14-17e), and correctional officers (WV Statute 7-14B-18a).
Private employers
Private employers in West Virginia 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 West Virginia’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
Is New Year’s a holiday in West Virginia?
New Year’s day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 Year’s day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Year’s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a West Virginia state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on New Year’s Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on New Year’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 Year’s Day will fall in future years:
| YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024 | Monday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025 | Wednesday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2027 | Friday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2028 | Saturday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2029 | Monday |
| New Year’s Day, January 1, 2030 | Tuesday |
Is New Year’s Eve a holiday in West Virginia?
New Year’s Eve is not a holiday in West Virginia. 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 Year’s day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Year’s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the days of the week on which New Year’s Eve will fall in future years:
| YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2024 | Sunday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2025 | Tuesday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2027 | Thursday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2028 | Friday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2029 | Sunday |
| New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2030 | Monday |
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in West Virginia?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 President’s Day a holiday in West Virginia?
President’s Day is a holiday in West Virginia. However, private businesses are not required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on President’s Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on President’s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Employees who work for a West Virginia state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on President’s Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on President’s Day they will be paid holiday pay such as one and one half their regular rate of pay.
Below are the dates on which President’s Day is celebrated in future years:
| YEAR | DATE |
|---|---|
| President’s Day | Monday, February 19, 2024 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 17, 2025 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 14, 2028 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 19, 2029 |
| President’s Day | Monday, February 18, 2030 |
Is Good Friday a holiday in West Virginia?
Good Friday is not a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
Easter is not a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
Memorial Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Juneteenth Day (aka Emancipation Day) is not a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
Independence Day (July 4) is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Labor Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Columbus Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 General Election Day a holiday in West Virginia?
General Election Day is a holiday in West Virginia.
Also, West Virginia law requires employers to provide an employee with up to three (3) hours of paid leave to vote so long as the employee has requested the time off to vote in writing three (3) days before to the day of the election or vote. Employers are not required to provide paid leave to vote to employees who have three (3) hours of off-duty time to vote while polls are open but voluntarily choose not vote.
In essential government, health, hospital, transportation and communication services and in production, manufacturing and processing works requiring continuity in operation, an employer may arrange employees’ schedules on the day of an election or vote so as to cause the least amount of interruption to business operation as possible. Such an employer must ensure, however, that each employee has sufficient time to vote while polls are open.
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 West Virginia?
Veterans Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in West Virginia called Lincoln’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 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 West Virginia state agency are usually entitled to paid holiday leave on the day after Thanksgiving Day aka Lincoln’s Day. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. Often, when state employees are required to work on the day 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 West Virginia?
Christmas Eve is not a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
Christmas Day is a holiday in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 |
