As HR professionals and team leaders, staying on top of the US holiday calendar lets them plan events effectively and foster a positive work environment. 

Whether you're finalizing your company's holiday calendar or brainstorming engaging activities for each celebration, this calendar will help you plan out each holiday and give you opportunities for team building and employee appreciation events.

Federal Holidays 2025

  1. New Year's Day – Wednesday, January 1
    Marks the beginning of the new year.
  2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20
    Honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.
  3. Presidents Day – Monday, February 17
    Commemorates U.S. presidents, particularly Washington and Lincoln.
  4. Memorial Day – Monday, May 26
    Remembers those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
  5. Independence Day – Friday, July 4
    Celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
  6. Labor Day – Monday, September 1
    Honors the contributions of workers to the American labor movement.
  7. Columbus Day – Monday, October 13
    Commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
  8. Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11
    Honors all U.S. military veterans for their service.
  9. Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27
    A time to express gratitude and celebrate harvest traditions.
  10. Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25
    Celebrates the Christian holiday and promotes goodwill.

Notable Non-Federal Holidays and Observances

  1. Groundhog Day – Sunday, February 2
    A folklore tradition predicting the arrival of spring.
  2. Lunar New Year – Wednesday, January 29
    Marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.
  3. Valentine's Day – Friday, February 14
    Celebrates love and affection.
  4. St. Patrick's Day – Monday, March 17
    Honors Irish culture and heritage.
  5. Earth Day – Tuesday, April 22
    Promotes environmental protection.
  6. Mother's Day – Sunday, May 11
    Honors mothers and maternal bonds.
  7. Father's Day – Sunday, June 15
    Honors fathers and paternal bonds.
  8. Hispanic Heritage Month – Monday, September 15 to Wednesday, October 15
    Celebrates Hispanic and Latino American culture.
  9. Halloween – Friday, October 31
    Celebrates All Hallows' Eve with costumes and festivities.
  10. Diwali – Starting Tuesday, October 21
    The Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.
  11. Hanukkah – Saturday, December 20 to Sunday, December 28
    The Jewish eight-day "Festival of Lights."
  12. Kwanzaa – Friday, December 26 to Thursday, January 1, 2026
    Celebrates African American culture and values.

Additional US Holidays and Observances 2025

  1. Black History Month – February 2025
    Recognizes the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history.
  2. Women's History Month – March 2025
    Celebrates women's significant contributions to history, culture, and society.
  3. Pride Month – June 2025
    Honors LGBTQ+ communities, promotes equality, and celebrates diversity.
  4. National Hispanic American Heritage Month – September 15 to October 15, 2025
    Highlights and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic Americans to U.S. history and culture.
  5. National Disability Employment Awareness Month – October 2025
    Recognizes the importance of inclusion in the workplace and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities.
  6. Native American Heritage Month – November 2025
    Honors Native American cultures, traditions, and contributions to the nation's history.

Event Ideas for US Holidays

Here are a few ideas that you can implement during the following holidays and bring about more smiles and happiness at the workplace.

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20
    You could consider organizing a volunteer day with local charities, such as helping at a food bank, planting trees, or participating in community cleanups. This idea could inspire teamwork while honoring Dr. King's legacy of service and equality.
  • Earth Day – Tuesday, April 22
    This idea could benefit your workplace by engaging employees in sustainability activities:
    • Day 1: Host a workshop on reducing carbon footprints.
    • Day 2: Organize a zero-waste lunch competition.
    • Day 3: Run a recycling challenge with prizes for the most innovative ideas.
    • Day 4: Plant trees or flowers in a nearby park or office garden.
    • Day 5: Encourage employees to share eco-friendly tips during a virtual or in-person brainstorming session.
  • Independence Day – Friday, July 4
    You could consider hosting a multicultural potluck, encouraging employees to share dishes that reflect their heritage. Additionally, this is a good idea: set up a trivia contest about American history or team games to foster camaraderie.
  • Halloween – Friday, October 31
    This idea could boost employee engagement: host a costume contest or decorate the office with spooky themes. You might also consider organizing a “Trick-or-Treat” desk-to-desk event or a pumpkin carving contest.
  • Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 27
    A gratitude wall could be a meaningful idea for this occasion, where employees share notes of appreciation for colleagues. Alternatively, consider organizing a team-building activity such as a pie-baking competition or a donation drive for local food banks.
  • Diwali – Starting Tuesday, October 21
    This idea could promote inclusivity: host a Diwali-themed lunch with traditional foods, or organize a Rangoli art contest. Share the significance of Diwali through a brief presentation to foster cultural awareness.
  • Pride Month – June 2025
    This idea could support inclusivity: invite guest speakers to discuss LGBTQ+ advocacy and organize a Pride-themed dress day. You could also consider donating to a local LGBTQ+ charity in your company’s name.
  • Native American Heritage Month – November 2025
    This idea could promote cultural understanding: host a storytelling session featuring Native American speakers or showcase art and music from Indigenous communities. Consider organizing a team lunch featuring Indigenous cuisine to celebrate their rich heritage.
  • Christmas 🎄 Holiday Season - December 2025
    1. Office Decoration Contest: Encourage teams to decorate their workspaces with a festive theme.
    2. Holiday Recipe Exchange and Potluck: Share favorite recipes and enjoy a communal meal together.
    3. Ugly Sweater Day: Have fun with a lighthearted contest for the most creative or outrageous holiday sweater.
    4. Secret Santa Gift Exchange: Organize a simple gift exchange to spread joy among colleagues.
    5. Cookie Decorating Activity: Host a casual session for decorating cookies together, perfect for creativity and fun.

By thoughtfully incorporating these event ideas, you can create an inclusive, engaging, and culturally respectful workplace environment that strengthens team bonds and celebrates diversity.

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A well-planned holiday calendar can significantly boost employee morale and company culture. By incorporating these dates and creative ideas into your yearly plan, you can create memorable experiences for your people that can enhance team cohesion and workplace satisfaction.