Holidays Observed in the USA

In a strict sense, there are no national holidays in the United States. Each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its own holidays.

The federal government has proclaimed the following 10 dates as holidays for federal government employees, and most states observe these holidays on the same dates (commonly called "legal holidays" or "public holidays").

All government offices, post offices, banks, and many private businesses are closed on these holidays:

Federal Holidays

New Year's Day: January 1

Martin Luther King Day: 3rd Monday in January

President's Day: 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day: last Monday in May

Independence Day: July 4

Labor Day: first Monday in September

Columbus Day: second Monday in October

Veterans Day: November 11

Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day: December 25

More Holidays Observed in the USA

* Partial list; also see State Holidays | Events

April Fool's Day: April 1

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: May

Chinese New Year: winter, date varies

Cinco de Mayo: May 5

Easter: Spring Sunday, date varies

Father's Day: June, third Sunday

Flag Day: June 14

Groundhog Day: February 2

Halloween: October 31

Kwanzaa: December 26 - January 1

Leif Erikson Day - October 9

Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday late winter, date varies

Mother's Day: May; second Sunday

Native American Heritage Day - the day following Thanksgiving

Oktoberfest: late September to early October

Rosh Hashanah: depends on Hebrew calendar

Sadie Hawkins Day: Saturday that follows November 9

St. Patrick's Day: March 17

Valentine's Day: February 14

Yom Kippur: depends on Hebrew calendar

American "Food Holidays"

Native plants combine with the ethnic diversity of the United States to make an extensive (and delicious) array of unique American foods, and many states officially recognize food symbols. Just for fun, we present the following list of "National Food Holidays" (usually originating from and promoted by industry groups, clubs, and health organizations).

January

National Hot Tea Month

National Oatmeal Month

National Slow Cooking Month

National Soup Month

January 2 National Buffet Day

January 2 National Cream Puff Day

January 3 National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

January 4 National Spaghetti Day

January 5 National Whipped Cream Day

January 6 National Shortbread Day

January 7 National Tempura Day

January 8 National English Toffee Day

January 9 National Apricot Day

January 10 National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

January 12 National Marzipan Day

January 13 National Peach Melba Day

January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

January 15 National Strawberry Ice Cream Day

January 16 National Fig Newton

January 19 National Popcorn Day

January 20 National Buttercrunch Day

January 20 National Cheese Lover's Day

January 21 National Granola Bar Day

January 22 National Blonde Brownie Day

January 23 National Pie Day

January 23 National Rhubarb Pie Day

January 24 National Peanut Butter Day

January 25 National Irish Coffee Day

January 26 National Peanut Brittle Day

January 26 National Pistachio Day

January 28 National Blueberry Pancake Day

January 29 National Cornchip Day

January 30 National Croissant Day

February

National Cherry Month

National Grapefruit Month

National Hot Breakfast Month

National Macadamia Nut Month

National Snack Food Month

National Pancake Week: February 19-25

February 1 National Baked Alaska Day

February 3 National Carrot Cake Day

February 4 National Homemade Soup Day

February 4 National Stuffed Mushroom Day

February 7 National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

February 8 National Molasses Bar Day

February 9 National Bagels and Lox Day

February 10 National Cream Cheese Brownie Day

February 11 National Peppermint Patty Day

February 12 National Plum Pudding Day

February 13 National Tortellini Day

February 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day

February 15 National Gumdrop Day

February 16 National Almond Day

February 17 National Indian Pudding Day

February 19 National Chocolate Mint Day

February 20 National Cherry Pie Day

February 21 National Sticky Bun Day

February 22 National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

February 22 National Margarita Day

February 23 National Banana Bread Day

February 24 National Tortilla Chip Day

February 25 National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day

February 25 National Clam Chowder Day

February 26 National Pistachio Day

February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day

February 27 National Strawberry Day

February 27 National Kahlua Day

February 28 National Chocolate Souffle Day

March

National Caffeine Awareness Month

National Celery Month

National Flour Month

National Frozen Food Month

National Noodle Month

National Nutrition Month

National Sauce Month

March 1 National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

March 1 National Fruit Compote Day

March 2 National Banana Cream Pie Day

March 3 National Cold Cuts Day

March 3 National Mulled Wine Day

March 4 National Poundcake Day

March 5 National Cheese Doodle Day

March 6 National Frozen Food Day

March 6 National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day

March 7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day

March 7 National Cereal Day

March 8 National Peanut Cluster Day

March 9 National Crabmeat Day

March 10 National Blueberry Popover Day

March 11 Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day

March 12 National Baked Scallops Day

March 13 National Coconut Torte Day

March 14 National Potato Chip Day

March 15 National Peanut Lovers Day

March 15 National Pears Helene Day

March 16 National Artichoke Heart Day

March 18 National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day

March 19 National Poultry Day

March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day

March 20 National Ravioli Day

March 21 National French Bread Day

March 23 National Chip and Dip Day

March 23 National Melba Toast Day

March 24 National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

March 26 National Waffle Day

March 26 National Nougat Day

March 27 National Spanish Paella Day

March 28 National Black Forest Cake Day

March 29 National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

March 30 Turkey Neck Soup Day

March 31 National Clams on the Half Shell Day

April

National Fresh Celery Month

National Pecan Month

National Soft Pretzel Month

National Soyfoods Month

First Wednesday of April is Whole Grain Sampling Day

April 12-18 National Egg Salad Week

April 1 National Sourdough Bread Day

April 2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

April 3 National Chocolate Mousse Day

April 4 National Cordon Bleu Day

April 5 National Raisin & Spice Bar Day

April 6 National Caramel Popcorn Day

April 7 National Coffee Cake Day

April 8 National Empanada Day

April 9 National Chinese Almond Cookie Day

April 10 National Cinnamon Crescent Day

April 11 National Cheese Fondue Day

April 12 National Licorice Day

April 13 National Peach Cobbler Day

April 14 National Pecan Day - pecans are a symbol of Alabama Arkansas , and Texas

April 14 National Hot Cross Bun Day (Good Friday)

April 15 National Glazed Ham Day

April 16 National Eggs Benedict Day

April 16 National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day

April 17 National Cheeseball Day

April 18 National Animal Crackers Day

April 20 National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day

April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day

April 22 National Jelly Bean Day

April 23 National Cherry Cheesecake Day

April 24 National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day

April 25 National Zucchini Bread Day

April 26 National Pretzel Day

April 27 National Prime Rib Day

April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day

April 29 National Shrimp Scampi Day

April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day

May

National Barbecue Month

National Chocolate Custard Month

National Egg Month

National Hamburger Month

National Salad Month

National Salsa Month

National Strawberry Month

May 1-7 National Raisin Week

May 1-7 National Herb Week

May 1 National Chocolate Parfait Day

May 3 National Raspberry Popover Day

May 3 National Chocolate Custard Day

May 4 National Candied Orange Peel Day

May 4 National Hoagie Day

May 6 National Crepe Suzette Day

May 7 National Roast Leg of Lamb Day

May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day

May 12 National Nutty Fudge Day

May 13 National Apple Pie Day

May 14 National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

May 17 National Cherry Cobbler Day

May 18 National Cheese Souffle Day

May 19 National Devil's Food Cake Day

May 20 National Quiche Lorraine Day

May 22 National Vanilla Pudding Day

May 23 National Taffy Day

May 24 National Escargot Day

May 25 National Brown-Bag-It Day

May 28 National Hamburger Day

May 26 National Blueberry Cheesecake Day

May 31 National Macaroon day

June

National Candy Month

National Dairy Month

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month

National Iced Tea Month

National Papaya Month

June 1 National Hazelnut Cake Day

June 2 National Rocky Road Day

June 3 Donut Day (1st weekend in June)

June 3 National Chocolate Macaroon Day

June 5 National Gingerbread Day

June 6 National Applesauce Cake Day

June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 9 National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day

June 11 National German Chocolate Cake Day

June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

June 13 Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

June 14 National Strawberry Shortcake Day

June 16 National Fudge Day

June 17 National Apple Strudel Day

June 17 National Cherry Tart Day

June 21 National Peaches & Cream Day

June 22 National Chocolate Eclair Day

June 23 National Pecan Sandies Day

June 24 National Pralines Day

June 25 National Strawberry Parfait Day

June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day

June 29 National Almond Buttercrunch Day

July

National Baked Bean Month

National Culinary Arts Month

National Hot Dog Month

National Ice Cream Month

National July Belongs to Blueberries Month

National Picnic Month

July 1 National Gingersnap Day

July 2 National Anisette Day

July 3 National Chocolate Wafer Day

July 4 National Barbecue Day

July 5 National Apple Turnover Day

July 6 National Fried Chicken Day

July 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day

July 7 National Macaroni Day

July 8 National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day

July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day

July 10 National Pina Colada Day

July 11 National Blueberry Muffin Day

July 12 National Pecan Pie Day

July 15 National Tapioca Pudding Day

July 17 National Peach Ice Cream Day

July 18 National Caviar Day

July 20 National Ice Cream Day

July 20 National Lollipop Day

July 21 National Creme Brulee Day

July 22 National Penuche Day

July 23 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

July 25 National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

July 26 National Bagelfest

July 28 National Milk Chocolate Day

July 29 National Lasagna Day

July 30 National Cheesecake Day

July 31 National Raspberry Cake Day

August

National Catfish Month

National Coffee Month

August 1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

August 2 National Ice Cream Soda Day

August 3 National Watermelon Day

August 4 National Chocolate Chip Day

August 5 National Mustard Day

August 6 National Root Beer Float Day

August 7 Raspberries 'n Cream Day

August 8 National Frozen Custard Day

August 9 National Rice Pudding Day

August 10 National S'mores Day

August 11 National Raspberry Bombe Day

August 14 National Creamsicle Day

August 15 National Lemon Meringue Pie Day

August 17 National Vanilla Custard Day

August 18 National Ice Cream Pie Day

August 19 National Soft Ice Cream Day

August 20 National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

August 21 National Spumoni Day

August 22 National Pecan Torte Day

August 23 National Spongecake Day

August 24 National Peach Pie Day

August 25 National Banana Split Day

August 26 National Cherry Popsicle Day

August 27 National Pots de Creme Day

August 28 National Cherry Turnovers Day

August 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day

August 31 National Trail Mix Day

September

National Chicken Month

National Honey Month

National Mushroom Month

National Papaya Month

National Potato Month

National Rice Month

September 3 National Welsh Rarebit Day

September 5 National Cheese Pizza Day

September 8 National Date-Nut Bread Day

September 11 National Hot Cross Bun Day

September 12 National Chocolate Milkshake Day

September 14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day

September 15 National Creme de Menthe Day

September 16 National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day

September 17 National Apple Dumpling Day

September 18 National Play-Dough Day

September 19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day

September 20 National Punch Day

September 21 National Pecan Cookie Day

September 22 National White Chocolate Day

September 25 National Cooking Day (cooked up by potsandpans.com

September 26 National Pancake Day

September 28 National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

September 29 National Coffee Day

September 30 National Mulled Cider Day

October

National Apple Month

National Applejack Month

National Caramel Month

National Cookbook Month

National Cookie Month

National Cookie Month

National Dessert Month

National Pasta Month

National Pickled Peppers Month

National Pizza Month

National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

National Pork Month

National Pretzel Month

National Seafood Month

October 4 National Taco Day

October 5 National Apple Betty Day

October 6 National Noodle Day

October 9 National Dessert Day

October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day

October 11 National Sausage Pizza Day

October 13 National Peanut Festival

October 13 National Pumpkin Festival

October 15 National Mushroom Day

October 17 National Pasta Day

October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day

October 20 National Brandied Fruit Day

October 22 National Nut Day

October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day

October 24 National Bologna Day

October 26 National Mincemeat Day

October 28 National Chocolate Day

October 29 National Oatmeal Day

October 30 National Candy Corn Day

November

National Fun with Fondue Month

National Georgia Pecan Month

National Peanut Butter Lover's Month

National Pepper Month

National Raisin Bread Month

November 1-7 - National Fig Week

November 2 National Deviled Egg Day

November 4 National Candy Day

November 5 National Doughnut Day

November 6 National Nachos Day

November 7 National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

November 8 National Split Pea Soup Week (November 8-13)

November 10 National Vanilla Cupcake Day

November 12 National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

November 13 National Indian Pudding Day

November 14 National Guacamole Day

November 15 National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day

November 20 National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

November 23 National Cashew Day

November 25 National Parfait Day

November 26 National Cake Day

November 27 National Bavarian Cream Pie Day

November 28 National French Toast Day

November 29 National Chocolates Day

November 30 National Mousse Day

December

December 1 National Pie Day

December 2 National Fritters Day

December 4 National Cookie Day

December 5 National Sacher Torte Day

December 6 National Gazpacho Day

December 7 National Cotton Candy Day

December 8 National Brownie Day

December 9 National Pastry Day

December 11 National Noodle-Ring Day

December 12 National Ambrosia Day

December 13 National Cocoa Day

December 14 National Bouillabaisse Day

December 15 National Lemon Cupcake Day

December 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

December 18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day

December 21 National French Fried Shrimp Day

December 23 National Pfeffernuesse Day

December 24 National Egg Nog Day

December 25 National Pumpkin Pie Day

December 26 National Candy Cane Day

December 27 National Fruitcake Day

December 30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

Environmental Holidays

Earth Day: April 22

International Day of Forests: March 21

National Arbor Day: spring date varies

National Honey Bee Day: third Saturday of August

World Animal Day: October 4

World Cleanup Day: September 8, 2018

World Environmental Health Day: September 26

World Ocean Day: June 8

World Water Day: March 22