The following information highlights the official federal holidays recognized for 2025, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
Federal employees can mark their calendars and prepare for time off during these specific holiday dates. This list is particularly significant to those working in and around Washington, D.C., where some unique rules apply due to Inauguration Day, which occurs once every four years on January 20th, following a Presidential election. This day is specially noted in section 6103(c) of title 5 of the United States Code, impacting employees in the surrounding area.
Understanding Presidential Inauguration Day
For those employed in specific areas—including D.C. itself, parts of Maryland like Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, and parts of Virginia such as Arlington, Fairfax, and cities like Alexandria and Falls Church—Inauguration Day brings a break from the typical work schedule. This day off is intended to ease traffic and allow local residents to partake in the inauguration events.
However, the policy is not as straightforward for everyone. Employees who are not scheduled to work on an Inauguration Day, regardless of their usual work location, don’t receive this day off or a substitute holiday. Those who work remotely from outside the designated area on Inauguration Day similarly must work or take leave. This also applies to those working remotely due to circumstances like the COVID-19 adjustments seen in the past, where typical operations required some leniency. Anyone traveling on duty outside the area during the inauguration won’t get a holiday either—unless their schedule aligns with working in the designated area.
Now, if January 20th falls on a Sunday, Inauguration Day shifts to the following day, Monday the 21st, seamlessly blending with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, another federal holiday. This ensures no additional holiday is needed. However, should Inauguration Day land on a Saturday, only those scheduled to work can enjoy the day off, with no alternative day provided.
This nuanced approach to Inauguration Day highlights the unique considerations federal employees must be aware of, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding holiday entitlements. Whether it’s working out logistics or simply planning for some time with family, keeping abreast of these regulations makes navigating federal holidays a breeze.
