When it comes to building meaningful moments for your staff, few options have as much promise as state holidays. While federal holidays give the entire country a uniform break, state-recognized holidays offer a bonus opportunity to foster localized relations and celebrate regional culture at work. For organizations with operations across several states like Texas, Hawaii, or California, organizing engagement activities around such localized celebrations can have the strength to significantly build employee attachment, boost morale, and create a sense of belongingness, especially among remote employees.
Why State Holidays Matter in the Workplace
Each state has a legacy, a tradition, and cultural landmark moments. Although not all state holidays translate to an automatic day off, these holidays remain significant in observing local culture and recognizing community identity. For employees, the observance of state-recognized holidays shows cultural awareness, increases inclusiveness, and signals a desire to celebrate diversity at work.
Celebrating state holidays 2025 can help organizations:
- Create local pride and a sense of belonging more intensely
- Foster employee participation in state-specific traditions
- Offer workplace experiences that will be remembered beyond the typical federal holiday calendar
A Look at Key State Recognized Holidays
- Alaska Day (AK) – October 18: Memorialize the 1867 sale of Alaska by Russia to the United States, observed with activities marking Alaska’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
- Patriots’ Day (MA, ME) – Third Monday in April: Marks the start of the American Revolutionary War with reenactments and parades commemorating the Lexington and Concord battles.
- Cesar Chavez Day (CA) – March 31: Honors the labor activist Cesar Chavez, promoting community participation, volunteerism, and education on workers’ rights and social justice.
- Pioneer Day (UT) – July 24: Observes the Utah arrival of Mormon pioneers in 1847 through parades, fireworks, and celebrations emphasizing the state’s roots and pioneer character.
- Juneteenth (TX) – June 19: Commemorates the end of slavery for Texas’s people of color and is celebrated through parades, cultural festivities, and community gatherings that encourage harmony and education.
- Nevada Day (NV) – Last Friday in October: Honors Nevada’s entry into the Union in 1864, commemorated with state-wide celebrations, parades, and activities that celebrate state pride.
- Mardi Gras (LA) – Date Varies Annually: A joyous pre-Lenten festival renowned for its colorful parades, music, and street parties — an institution of Louisiana’s cultural heritage.
- Prince Kuhio Day (HI) – March 26: Commemorates Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole with cultural ceremonies and community events that acknowledge his legacy and contributions to Hawaii.
State-Specific Holidays
In addition to festivals commonly known to the general public, most states have their own individual holidays that showcase their unique history, culture, and heritage. Though some of these are not necessarily required for business closures, they are excellent opportunities for employers to encourage local pride and conduct office games to celebrate regional heritage.
California State Holidays
California state holidays provide a special forum for employers to reach out to one of the most diverse employee bases in the nation. Observances worth noting are:
- Cesar Chavez Day – March 31: A day to commemorate the civil rights leader’s legacy, this is ideal for scheduling volunteer programs or employee appreciation events focused on community service.
- Admission Day – September 9: Though no longer a holiday that pays, it’s still the perfect day to commemorate California’s rich history with themed activities showcasing the Golden State’s culture and contributions.
- Lunar New Year – (Locally celebrated in some counties): An opportunity to observe Asian-American heritage with culturally themed activities such as festive decorations, traditional cuisine, and oral histories.
Alabama State Holidays
Alabama also celebrates a number of state holidays that mirror its distinctive heritage. Employers may utilize these dates to encourage homegrown appreciation and respect for heritage:
- Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday – Third Monday in January: A dual holiday honoring both the Confederate general and the civil rights leader, providing an opportunity to create positive conversations about history and forward movement.
- Confederate Memorial Day – Fourth Monday in April: A day reserved to commemorate those who fought on behalf of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
- Jefferson Davis’ Birthday – First Monday in June: Celebrates the birthday of Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederate States of America.
- Alabama Day – December 14: Remembers Alabama’s entry into the Union as the 22nd state in 1819, offering a moment to appreciate state pride and heritage.
Alaska State Holidays
- Seward’s Day – Last Monday in March: Marks the anniversary of the Alaska Purchase treaty, signed in 1867, which transferred Alaska from Russia to the United States.
- Alaska Day – October 18: Celebrates the official transfer of Alaska to U.S. control in 1867, highlighting the state’s unique journey into American history.
Arkansas State Holidays
- Daisy Gatson Bates Day – Third Monday in February: Commemorates civil rights icon Daisy Gatson Bates for her instrumental role in the integration of Little Rock’s Central High School.
- Confederate Flag Day – 2 March 21: Celebrates the first time the Confederate flag was raised above the Arkansas State Capitol in 1861.
Florida State Holidays
- Pascua Florida Day – April 2: Celebrates the discovery of Florida by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513.
- Robert E. Lee’s Birthday – January 19: Honors the birth of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
- Confederate Memorial Day – April 26: Recognizes those who lost their lives fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Hawaii State Holidays
- Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day – March 26: Honors Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a Congressional delegate and a champion of Hawaiian statehood and rights.
- King Kamehameha I Day – June 11: Honors King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810.
- Statehood Day – Third Friday in August: Commemorates Hawaii’s admission to the United States as the 50th state in 1959.
Illinois State Holidays
- Lincoln’s Birthday – February 12: Celebrates the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States and an Illinois native.
- Casimir Pulaski Day – First Monday in March: Recognizes Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-American hero of the Revolutionary War.
Louisiana State Holidays
- Mardi Gras – Date Dependent (47 days prior to Easter): A celebratory pre-Lent holiday with parades, music, and traditional attire.
Maine and Massachusetts State Holidays
- Patriots’ Day – Third Monday in April: Honors the first battles of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord.
Mississippi State Holidays
- Confederate Memorial Day – Fourth Monday in April: Memorializes the individuals who fought and died for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
- Jefferson Davis’ Birthday – Fourth Monday in May: Celebrates the birthday of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States of America.
Nebraska State Holidays
- Fourth Friday in April: A plant and nurture trees day, created in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton in 1872.
Nevada State Holidays
- Nevada Day – Last Friday in October: Marks Nevada’s admission to the Union as the 36th state in 1864.
New Mexico State Holidays
- Pascua Florida Day – April 2: Commemorates the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de León in 1513.
North Carolina State Holidays
- Robert E. Lee’s Birthday – January 19: Celebrates the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
- Confederate Memorial Day – May 10: Honors the soldiers who died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
South Carolina State Holidays
- Confederate Memorial Day – May 10: A remembrance day for the soldiers who died while fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Texas State Holidays
- Confederate Heroes Day – January 19: Remembrance of Confederate soldiers and major leaders, including Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis.
- Texas Independence Day – March 2: Celebrates the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836.
- San Jacinto Day – April 21: Commemoration of the final Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, which resulted in Texas independence from Mexico.
- Emancipation Day (Juneteenth) – June 19: Commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the abolishment of slavery in Texas.
Utah State Holidays
- Pioneer Day – July 24: Commemorates the arrival of Brigham Young and the initial Mormon pioneers to Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Vermont State Holidays
- Bennington Battle Day – August 16: Marks the anniversary of the Battle of Bennington, the pivotal American Revolutionary War victory in 1777.
Virginia State Holidays
- Lee-Jackson Day – Friday preceding the third Monday in January: Celebrates the lives of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
West Virginia State Holidays
- West Virginia Day – June 20: Marks the anniversary of West Virginia’s admission as the 35th state into the Union in 1863.
Federal Holidays in 2025
There are 11 official federal holidays celebrated throughout the United States. Non-essential federal offices are closed on these holidays, and the majority of federal employees receive a paid day off. On top of these federal holidays, each state also celebrates its own state holidays to honor local history, culture, or significant events. A comprehensive list of the federal holidays in 2025 follows, along with some prominent state holidays.
List of Federal Holidays 2025
- New Year’s Day – January 1: Celebrates the start of the new year, time for setting new goals, thinking, and fresh beginnings.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20: Pays tribute to the legacy and life’s work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a primary civil rights movement leader in America.
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) – February 17: Celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and the contributions of all U.S. presidents.
- Memorial Day – May 26: Honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
- Juneteenth National Independence Day – June 19: Commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the day in 1865 when people in Texas who were enslaved were told that they were free.
- Independence Day – July 4: Celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the birth of America as a nation.
- Labor Day – September 1: Recognizes the contributions and triumphs of American workers and the labor movement.
- Columbus Day – October 13: Glorifies the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.
- Veterans Day – November 11: Honors and remembers all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
- Thanksgiving Day – November 27: A day to give thanks for blessings, family, and the harvest season.
- Christmas Day – December 25: Honors the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated by many as a family reunion day, time for exchanging gifts, and festive traditions.
Date | Holiday | State(s) | Type |
Jan 1 | New Year’s Day | All states | Federal |
Jan 19 | Robert E. Lee’s Birthday | FL, NC, TX | State Recognized |
Jan 19 | Confederate Heroes Day | TX | State Recognized |
Third Mon in Jan | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | All states | Federal |
Friday before Third Mon in Jan | Lee-Jackson Day | VA | State Recognized |
Feb 12 | Lincoln’s Birthday | IL | State Recognized |
Third Mon in Feb | Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) | All states | Federal |
Third Mon in Feb | Daisy Gatson Bates Day | AR | State Recognized |
First Mon in Mar | Casimir Pulaski Day | IL | State Recognized |
Mar 2 | Texas Independence Day | TX | State Recognized |
Mar 21 | Confederate Flag Day | AR | State Recognized |
Mar 26 | Prince Kuhio Day | HI | State Recognized |
Mar 31 | Cesar Chavez Day | CA | State Recognized |
Last Mon in Mar | Seward’s Day | AK | State Recognized |
Apr 2 | Pascua Florida Day | FL, NM | State Recognized |
Third Mon in Apr | Patriots’ Day | MA, ME | State Recognized |
Apr 21 | San Jacinto Day | TX | State Recognized |
Fourth Mon in Apr | Confederate Memorial Day | AL | State Recognized |
Last Mon in Apr | Confederate Memorial Day | MS | State Recognized |
Last Fri in Apr | Arbor Day | NE | State Recognized |
May 10 | Confederate Memorial Day | NC, SC | State Recognized |
Last Mon in May | Memorial Day | All states | Federal |
Last Mon in May | Jefferson Davis’ Birthday | MS | State Recognized |
Jun 11 | King Kamehameha I Day | HI | State Recognized |
Jun 19 | Juneteenth National Independence Day | All states | Federal |
Jun 20 | West Virginia Day | WV | State Recognized |
Jul 4 | Independence Day | All states | Federal |
Jul 24 | Pioneer Day | UT | State Recognized |
Aug 16 | Bennington Battle Day | VT | State Recognized |
Third Fri in Aug | Statehood Day | HI | State Recognized |
Sep 1 | Labor Day | All states | Federal |
Sep 9 | Admission Day | CA | State Recognized (not paid) |
Oct 13 | Columbus Day | All states | Federal |
Oct 18 | Alaska Day | AK | State Recognized |
Last Fri in Oct | Nevada Day | NV | State Recognized |
Nov 11 | Veterans Day | All states | Federal |
Fourth Thu in Nov | Thanksgiving Day | All states | Federal |
Fri after Thanksgiving | Day after Thanksgiving | Many states | State Recognized |
Dec 14 | Alabama Day | AL | State Recognized |
Dec 25 | Christmas Day | All states | Federal |
Varies | Mardi Gras | LA | State Recognized |
Varies (Lunar New Year) | Lunar New Year | Some counties in CA | Locally Recognized |
Engagement Ideas for State Holidays
Though a state holiday may not be one that warrants an official day off for a company, an organization can nonetheless make it an occasion to remember by engaging their employees by organizing team parties. Listed below are a couple of some unique ideas:
- Virtual Celebrations: Utilize your internal communication channels or chat tools to organize engaging activities such as trivia contests, virtual lunch breaks, or cultural presentations that celebrate the holiday's importance.
- Personalized Recognition: Take advantage of state holidays as an opportunity to surprise and delight employees with themed rewards — gift cards to local shops, reward points, or personalized shout-outs for their efforts.
- Localized Team Activities: Foster engagement with festive, location-based challenges. Examples are virtual holiday walking tours, photo competitions documenting local traditions, or make-your-own holiday-inspired crafts.
