The next federal bank holiday depends on today's date, but you can find the full list for the current year on the Federal Reserve's website
Bank holidays in the United States follow a fixed federal calendar. The Federal Reserve publishes the complete list each year, and the dates do not change. If you need to know which day is coming next, the fastest way is to check the current date against the Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule at federalreserve.gov, or to look at your own bank's website — most banks post their holiday closures prominently during the weeks leading up to each one.
The reason this matters: on a federal bank holiday, the Federal Reserve does not operate, which means certain types of transactions either do not process or process on a delayed schedule. Automated clearing house transfers (ACH), wire transfers, and check clearing all move differently on holidays than they do on regular business days. Your bank itself may be open or closed depending on its own policy, but the underlying systems that move money between institutions are not running.
Key Takeaways
- Federal bank holidays follow a fixed calendar published by the Federal Reserve, and the dates are the same every year unless Congress changes them.
- On a bank holiday, the Federal Reserve does not operate, which delays ACH transfers, wire transfers, and check clearing — even if your bank branch is open.
- Your bank may be open on a federal holiday but still unable to process certain transactions because the clearing systems are closed.
- If you need money to move on or around a holiday, initiate the transfer at least one business day before the holiday to avoid delays.
The 2024 and 2025 federal bank holiday calendar
The Federal Reserve observes these holidays each year:
| Holiday | 2024 Date | 2025 Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 (Monday) | January 1 (Wednesday) |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 15 (Monday) | January 20 (Monday) |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | February 19 (Monday) | February 17 (Monday) |
| Memorial Day | May 27 (Monday) | May 26 (Monday) |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 (Wednesday) | June 19 (Thursday) |
| Independence Day | July 4 (Thursday) | July 4 (Friday) |
| Labor Day | September 2 (Monday) | September 1 (Monday) |
| Columbus Day | October 14 (Monday) | October 13 (Monday) |
| Veterans Day | November 11 (Monday) | November 11 (Tuesday) |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 28 (Thursday) | November 27 (Thursday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Wednesday) | December 25 (Thursday) |
When a holiday falls on a weekend, the Federal Reserve observes it on the nearest weekday. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the Federal Reserve closes on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the Federal Reserve closes on Monday. Your bank may have its own rules about when it observes the holiday for branch closures, so check your bank's schedule if you need to visit a physical location.
How bank holidays affect transfers and payments
The Federal Reserve operates the systems that clear checks, process ACH transfers, and handle wire transfers between banks. On a federal holiday, these systems do not run. This means that if you initiate a transfer on a holiday or the day before a holiday, the transfer will not actually move until the next business day after the holiday ends.
An ACH transfer you start on a Thursday before a three-day weekend (Friday is a holiday) will not leave your account until the following Tuesday. A check you deposit on a holiday will not begin clearing until the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday typically do not process until the next day the Federal Reserve is open. The exact timing depends on what time you submit the transaction and which bank you use, but the underlying rule is the same: the Federal Reserve does not move money on holidays.
This is different from your bank being closed. Many banks close their branches on federal holidays, but some do not. A bank that is open on a holiday can still only process certain transactions — deposits, withdrawals, account inquiries. Transfers that depend on the Federal Reserve's clearing systems will still be delayed, even if you walk into a branch and speak to a teller.
What to do if you need money to move around a holiday
If you need a transfer to reach another account by a specific date, and that date is on or just after a federal holiday, start the transfer at least one business day before the holiday. If the holiday is on a Monday, initiate the transfer on Friday. If the holiday is on a Thursday, initiate it on Wednesday. This gives the Federal Reserve time to process the transaction before the holiday closes the clearing systems.
Wire transfers are faster than ACH transfers, but they still depend on the Federal Reserve being open. A wire initiated on a Friday before a Monday holiday will not move until Tuesday. If the timing is critical — for example, you need to pay a bill or meet a important date — contact the receiving bank or the organization you are paying to ask whether they can accept the transfer after the holiday. Many can, and knowing this in advance prevents unnecessary stress.
If you are expecting a transfer to arrive, and the arrival date falls on or just after a holiday, assume it will be delayed by one business day. Payroll deposits, tax refunds, and payments from other institutions all follow the same rule: the Federal Reserve does not process them on holidays, so they arrive on the next business day instead.
Differences between bank holidays and other closures
A federal bank holiday is not the same as a bank closure. The Federal Reserve observes bank holidays, which means the clearing systems are closed. Your individual bank may or may not close its branches on that day — this varies by bank and by state. Some banks stay open on federal holidays; others close. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you need to visit a branch.
Some states and localities also observe holidays that the Federal Reserve does not. For example, some states observe Confederate Memorial Day or Cesar Chavez Day. These are not federal bank holidays, so the Federal Reserve and most banks do not close. If your state observes a holiday that the Federal Reserve does not, your state bank may close its branches, but the clearing systems will still be running. Transfers will process normally.
Planning around holiday weekends
When a federal holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, it creates a three-day weekend. The Federal Reserve is closed on the holiday itself, which means transfers initiated on Friday (if the holiday is Monday) or on Thursday (if the holiday is Friday) will not process until the following Tuesday. If you have regular bills due or payroll that depends on timing, plan ahead by a few days.
The same applies to holidays that fall in the middle of the week. If a holiday is on Wednesday, transfers initiated on Tuesday will not process until Thursday. This is usually not a problem, but it matters if you are working with a tight important date or if you are waiting for a payment that is supposed to arrive by a specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from my bank on a federal holiday?
It depends on your bank. Some banks close their branches on federal holidays; others stay open. Check your bank's website or call your local branch to find out. If your bank is open, you can withdraw money in person. ATMs typically work on holidays regardless of whether the branch is open, so you can usually get cash that way.
Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?
No. Direct deposits are ACH transfers, and the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers on holidays. If your payroll is scheduled to deposit on a holiday, it will arrive on the next business day instead. Ask your employer when they initiate the transfer — if they send it the day before the holiday, it may still arrive on the holiday itself, depending on timing.
What if I need to send a wire transfer on a holiday?
Wire transfers do not process on federal holidays. If you initiate a wire on a holiday, it will not move until the next business day. If you need the money to arrive by a specific date, initiate the wire at least one business day before any holiday that falls between now and that date.
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
The Federal Reserve closes on the same federal holidays everywhere, but individual banks may have different branch closure policies. Some banks close on all federal holidays; others close on only some. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule on their website.
What happens to checks I deposit on a holiday?
Checks deposited on a federal holiday will not begin clearing until the next business day. The Federal Reserve does not process check clearing on holidays, so the funds will not be available until after the holiday ends. If you deposit a check on Friday before a Monday holiday, it will not clear until Tuesday.