Are Good Friday and Easter Federal Holidays? Here’s What You Need to Know

Many Americans are excited about the upcoming holy week, which starts with Easter weekend. Based on the Christian calendar, the days before Easter are very important. This year, Good Friday is on April 18. At this time, Christians remember when Jesus Christ was put to death on the cross. People fast, pray, and go to church events to mark the day. It is the day when Christians should be sad, do repentance, and fast. Does the US have a government holiday for Good Friday and Easter?

Do the feds observe breaks on Good Friday and Easter?

Many Americans fast for 40 days during Lent, which ends during Holy Week. Lent is the week before Easter. A lot of energy is put into the week between Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. However, people looking for a day off on Good Friday may be let down by the fact that it is not a federal holiday in the US. Sunday, April 1 is also not. People all over the US celebrate these days, but the federal government has not labeled them as public holidays.

Federal holidays usually have nothing to do with religion and are linked to important events in American history. Because of this difference, the public and federal workers shouldn’t expect schools to be closed or given time off on Good Friday, even though it is a religious holiday. Schools, banks, financial markets, and most government offices that aren’t necessary are closed on Federal holidays.

What is a government holiday?

The U.S. government sets federal holidays, which mean that most federal offices, schools, banks, and financial markets are closed. It’s a planned payoff for people who work for the federal government. Government holidays are now also public holidays. Some of these holidays are memorial days for soldiers who have died in battle, while others are based on religious or historical events. Eleven holidays are recognized by the Federal Government.

2025 federal holidays

• January 1 is New Year’s Day.
• King’s birthday is on January 3, which is also his birth month.
• Washington’s birthday is on the third Monday of February.
• Memorial Day is on the last Monday of May.
• Juneteenth, June 19, is National Independence Day.
• July 4 is Independence Day.
• Labour Day is on the first Monday of September.
• Columbus Day is October 2nd.
• Veteran’s Day is on November 11.
• Thursday, November 4, is Thanksgiving Day.
• December 25 is Christmas Day.
• On Good Friday, do banks open?

Yes, most banks will be open on Friday, April 14. It’s possible that banks like Capital One, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, CitiBank, and JPMorgan Chase will be open on Friday.

On Good Friday, are schools and colleges open?

Twelve states in the US make Good Friday a real holiday. These are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas. Because of this, most public schools and colleges in these states are closed on Good Friday.

On Good Friday, is the post office open?

On Good Friday, the US Postal Service will be open for business. Their business is running normally, so your mail will be distributed as usual.

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