{"id":19288,"date":"2025-10-23T03:37:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T03:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/?p=19288"},"modified":"2026-05-07T08:05:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T08:05:27","slug":"is-halloween-a-federal-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/is-halloween-a-federal-holiday","title":{"rendered":"Is Halloween a Federal Holiday? (What Are the 12 Federal Holidays?)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s coming \u2014 Halloween! \ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udc7b\ud83d\udd77\ufe0f\ud83c\udf6c One of our favorite times of the year. Halloween is, without a doubt, one of the most festive and widely celebrated days in the U.S., but do you really know the answer to the big question: Is Halloween a federal holiday?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What Is a Federal Holiday?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A <\/span><\/span>federal holiday<\/span><\/a> is an official day recognized by the United States government on which non-essential federal offices close and federal employees receive a paid day off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congress only has the authority to designate holidays for federal institutions, employees, and the District of Columbia; other organizations, such as banks, schools, and private businesses, also choose to close in observance of these days.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are currently <\/span>12<\/b> federal holidays, such as New Year\u2019s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– \ud83c\udf83 –<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Is Halloween a Federal Holiday?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Halloween is not a federal holiday in the U.S. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it is one of the most popular and widely celebrated holidays, known for costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive decorations, October 31 remains a regular working day for most Americans. Federal offices, private businesses, and schools generally stay open.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– \ud83d\udc7b –<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Halloween, a cultural celebration, isn\u2019t a federal holiday.<\/span> (Image by Unsplash)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Why Halloween is Not a Federal Holiday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Halloween\u2019s popularity and economic impact are very significant. <\/span>Billions of dollars<\/span><\/a> are spent each year on costumes, candy, and decorations. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, federal holidays are generally reserved for events of national or historical importance, such as Independence Day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halloween, a cultural celebration, is not recognized as a federal holiday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the main Halloween traditions, like trick-or-treating, costume parties, and community events, mostly take place in the evening after the normal workday, so there is little practical need for a full day off. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– \ud83c\udf6c –<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>> Also read: What countries celebrate Halloween?<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Is Halloween Considered a Public Holiday in the US?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Halloween is a beloved cultural tradition, much like Valentine\u2019s Day or Mother\u2019s Day. It is a holiday in practice, but not an official public or federal holiday. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyways, Halloween still holds deep cultural significance. Main activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, pumpkin carving, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, telling scary stories, and watching horror-themed movies. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– \ud83e\uddd9\u200d\u2640\ufe0f –<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>> Check out: Halloween movies checklist<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. What Are the 12 Federal Holidays?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are currently 12 federal holidays:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/span>. New Year\u2019s Day \u2013 January 1<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. \u2013 Third Monday in January<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Inauguration Day \u2013 January 20 (every 4 years, following a presidential election)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Washington\u2019s Birthday (Presidents Day) \u2013 Third Monday in February<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Memorial Day \u2013 Last Monday in May<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Juneteenth National Independence Day \u2013 June 19<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Independence Day \u2013 July 4<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Labor Day \u2013 First Monday in September<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Columbus Day \u2013 Second Monday in October<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Veterans Day \u2013 November 11<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Thanksgiving Day \u2013 Fourth Thursday in November<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Christmas Day \u2013 December 25<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some holidays, like Memorial Day and Labor Day, fall on specific Mondays to create long weekends, while others occur on fixed calendar dates. If a holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed by the government on a different day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– \ud83d\udc80 –<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Free Smartphone \u2013 A Great Halloween Gift for Your Child!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Halloween, give your child something more special<\/strong> – an <\/span>iPhone 8 Plus<\/span><\/a>!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is completely free<\/strong> now in many states through the Lifeline program on AirTalk Wireless. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifeline is a federal assistance program that helps low-income families stay connected by offering free or discounted phone and internet services. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you qualify, you can easily apply through AirTalk Wireless to receive free internet service<\/strong> along with a free smartphone <\/strong>of your choice as part of the plan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A free smartphone \u2013 a great Halloween gift for your daughter, son, spouse, or parents!<\/em><\/span> (Image by Unsplash)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the top FREE phone deals available right now:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n