Trump Just Named Two New Federal Holidays. Here’s Who Gets Them Off
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The holiday break is getting a little longer — at least for some workers.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week, making Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) federal holidays. The extra PTO is only applies for this year, though, and it primarily affects federal workers. With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday and already designated as a federal holiday, many government workers will effectively have a two-day workweek, with offices closed from Wednesday through Friday.
Temporary holiday closures like this aren’t uncommon. Trump issued similar executive orders during his first term in 2018, 2019 and 2020, declaring Christmas Eve a federal holiday. Former President Barack Obama did the same in 2012 and 2014.
Still, the move does not permanently expand the federal holiday calendar. Making Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas an official, recurring federal holiday would require an act from Congress. The most recent federal holiday to be codified into law was Juneteenth in 2021 under the Biden administration. The move marked June 19 — a day which honors the end of slavery in the U.S. — as the 12th federal holiday and the first addition since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983.
Do employers have to give workers time off on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26?
Not to be a Scrooge, but the extra days won't apply to everyone. In fact, the work calendar this week will remain unchanged for the vast majority of workers.
That's because the executive order applies only to federal agencies. Some federal employees may still be required to work on those days at the discretion of agency leadership, according to the executive order.
Private businesses aren't legally required to give employees time off or pay a higher 'holiday rate' on Dec. 24 or Dec. 26. While your company can choose to do so, the short notice between the announcement and the holidays makes it unlikely that many will.
Will banks and the post office be open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26?
Yes — for the most part.
U.S. Postal Service post offices will be open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, and mail will be delivered on both of those days, according to the agency's holiday schedule. USPS will be closed on Christmas Day.
Banks will also be closed on Christmas Day but will operate business as usual on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, according to the Federal Reserve.
Will any private retailers be closed on Christmas Eve or Dec. 26?
Private businesses aren't required to follow the federal holiday schedule, so store hours will vary by retailer and location. Many large chains across the U.S. close early on Christmas Eve, though shoppers should check local stores for holiday hours before heading out.
Here's how a few major national retailers are operating on and around Christmas:
- Walmart: Open Dec. 24 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Christmas Day; reopens at 6 a.m Dec. 26.
- Target: Open Dec. 24 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Christmas Day; reopen at 7 a.m. Dec. 26.
- Costco: Open Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Christmas Day; reopens at 10 a.m. Dec. 26.
Most Walgreens and CVS stores will remain open with adjusted hours on Christmas Day, though hours may vary by location.
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