Is today a federal holiday? On Friday, December 26, 2025, millions of Americans are asking this question as they check work schedules, government office hours, and holiday closures across the country. Today is not normally a federal holiday on the U.S. calendar, but in 2025 there is a unique situation that effectively makes December 26 function like one for many government workers and federal offices. This article provides the most current, factual, and verified updates available as of today, clearly explaining what the status of December 26 is, who is affected, what remains open, and what the change means for workers and everyday people.
The short answer is: Yes, for many federal employees today is treated like a federal holiday due to a special presidential order expanding the holiday period this year. However, legally and permanently, December 26 is not part of the official list of federal holidays unless Congress passes new legislation.
Below, we break down everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Defines a Federal Holiday in the United States?
A federal holiday is a day designated by law for recognition by the federal government, where most executive departments and agencies close operations and federal employees receive time off with pay. These legal holidays are specified in Title 5 of the United States Code. Traditionally recognized federal holidays include days like New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
2025’s official federal holiday list includes Christmas Day on December 25. December 26 does not appear on the statutory federal holiday calendar for 2025. Without a special action, today would normally be a regular federal workday.
But 2025 is different.
Why 2025 Is Different: A Special Federal Holiday Expansion
In mid-December 2025, the White House issued a one-year presidential executive order designating both Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24) and Friday, December 26 as days to be treated like federal holidays for federal employees and agencies.
This executive order directs:
- All executive departments and agencies of the federal government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on December 24 and December 26.
- Agency heads may still require certain employees to report to duty for national security, defense, or urgent public need.
- These days are to be treated under existing regulations governing holidays for the purposes of pay and leave.
That means many federal offices are closed today, even though this day is not permanently recognized on the U.S. federal holiday calendar. This expanded holiday period applies only for 2025.
As a result, December 26 feels like a federal holiday for most federal workers and federal offices in operation today.
What Does That Mean for Federal Employees?
For the federal workforce, this extended holiday period effectively creates a multi-day Christmas break in 2025, including:
- Wednesday, December 24, 2025
- Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day)
- Friday, December 26, 2025 (today)
Because Christmas Day fell on a Thursday this year, many federal workers now have a five-day holiday break when including the weekend before and after the official dates.
Federal employees typically excused from duty receive paid time off for the designated holiday days. Federal agencies must follow the order for pay, leave, and work schedules.
However, essential employees — such as those in public safety, national security, defense, and mission-critical operations — may still be required to work on December 26 or December 24 if their roles cannot be paused.
Is This a Permanent Change?
No.
The December 24 and December 26 federal holiday designations in 2025 are temporary options activated by executive authority, not permanent legal changes. To permanently add new federal holidays — including December 26 — the U.S. Congress must pass legislation and the president must sign it into law. That has not happened for this date.
Until such a law is passed, December 26 will revert to a regular federal workday in future years unless another executive order is issued.
State and Local Government Impact
State and local government offices do not automatically adopt federal holiday decisions unless their local governments choose to do so.
Some state and municipal governments have opted to align with the federal closures and remain closed on December 26. Others have chosen to resume normal operations. That means:
- In some states, local government services may be closed today.
- In others, offices are operating on standard hours.
Check directly with state or local agencies to confirm hours for services such as motor vehicle offices, health departments, and county offices.
Private Employers and Employee Schedules
Private companies are not required by law to observe federal holidays. Whether December 26 is recognized as a paid day off, early release, or regular workday depends entirely on individual employer policy.
National corporations, particularly in banking and financial services, often mirror federal holiday schedules but are under no obligation to do so.
Some employers may choose to extend holiday time off into December 26 for employee morale and work-life balance reasons. Others, especially in retail, service, manufacturing, and health care, require staff to work on December 26 regardless of federal status.
Employees should check with their human resources departments or supervisors to confirm whether they are expected to work today.
Mail, Delivery, and Banking Services Today
United States Postal Service (USPS)
The USPS typically does not deliver mail on most federal holidays. In 2025, USPS did not deliver on Christmas Day. However, because December 26 is not a permanent federal holiday, mail delivery resumed on December 26 even though some federal offices remain closed. Post offices may operate on shortened hours today in some locations.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Most banks reopened on December 26 following closures for Christmas Day. Banks may operate on modified or reduced hours on Christmas Eve, but on December 26, many financial institutions resume normal operations.
Stock Markets and Financial Markets
Major financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, are open on December 26. Both markets closed on Christmas Day and have returned to regular business hours today.
Social Security and Federal Services
Some federal services may follow their own operational schedules. For example:
- Social Security Administration offices have indicated they are open today on limited hours, even though federal offices are closed under the executive order. They may operate on reduced hours or provide limited services to accommodate beneficiaries.
- Online federal services, such as Social Security’s “my Social Security” online portal, remain accessible 24/7 regardless of holiday status.
Because federal service hours vary by agency, it is best to verify directly for critical services before visiting an office location.
Retail, Grocery, Pharmacy, and Restaurant Hours
Private businesses generally set their own holiday schedules.
- Many retailers and grocery stores close early on Christmas Eve, remain closed on Christmas Day, and operate on regular or reduced hours on December 26.
- Pharmacies and convenience stores often remain open on December 26 but may have altered holiday hours.
- Restaurants and dining establishments vary widely. Some reopen today with regular service, while others stay closed or operate limited hours.
Always check with specific businesses for their holiday operating hours.
International Government Offices and Expats
U.S. government facilities overseas, such as embassies and consulates, are also affected by the executive order and likely remain closed on December 26. For example, U.S. embassies and consulates in major global cities have suspended routine services from December 24 through December 26 in observance of the extended holiday break, meaning local consular services are unavailable today.
Travelers and expatriates requiring urgent assistance should contact emergency lines provided by the U.S. State Department.
Public Reaction to Expanded Holidays
The expanded holiday period this year has generated mixed public reaction.
- Many federal employees have welcomed the extra time off, citing greater flexibility for travel and family gatherings during the busy holiday season.
- Some public servants and private workers have criticized the decision, arguing that it creates inconsistency and that essential workers do not benefit equally from the extended break.
- Social media discussions reflect a broader conversation about work-life balance, holiday pay, and employee well-being.
The situation has sparked debate about whether additional federal holidays should be made permanent in U.S. law.
What Happens Next Year?
Because December 26 is not permanently recognized as a federal holiday under U.S. law, its status for future years depends on:
- Whether Congress passes legislation making December 24 or December 26 official federal holidays.
- Whether future presidents issue similar executive orders to designate these dates as holidays on a year-by-year basis.
As of today, however, December 26 is only recognized as a federal holiday for 2025.
Key Takeaways for December 26, 2025
To summarize:
- Today is treated as a federal holiday for most federal employees under a special 2025 executive order.
- This status does not make it a permanent federal holiday.
- Federal offices are mostly closed today, but essential personnel may still work.
- Private sector schedules vary and may not observe this expanded holiday.
- USPS mail delivery, banks, and financial markets are operating on regular or near-normal schedules.
- Social Security and other federal services may operate on limited holiday hours.
- Local state and city offices differ based on jurisdiction decisions.
- Normal business services have resumed in many areas.
The unique holiday situation in 2025 has made December 26 feel like a federal holiday for many, even though it is not officially written into law as such.
Have questions about holiday closures or how they affect you? Comment below with your experience or stay updated on holiday news as it develops!