Christmas eve and December 26 federal holiday: United States president Donald Trump has issued an order that declares Christmas Eve and December 26 to be federal holidays this year and as a result, all federal offices and organizations will remain closed on that day, as per a report.
The order, signed last week, gives these agencies the ability to make certain federal workers work for national security reasons or public necessity. This does not affect any pre-existing laws regarding federal holidays, in which no new holiday has been created. Christmas has been a permanent holiday, and only Congress can establish more holidays with the signing authority of the president.
Granting time off around Christmas is a common practice for presidents, depending on how the holiday falls on the calendar, as per a Yahoo News report. Trump declared Christmas Eve a federal holiday during his first term in 2018, 2019, and 2020, while former US president Joe Biden did the same in 2024.
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In recent years, the calendar itself led to similar outcomes. In 2021, Christmas fell on a Saturday, making Friday, December 24, the federally observed holiday. In 2022, Christmas fell on a Sunday, so Monday, December 26, became the observed holiday, with December 24 and 25 landing on the weekend. In 2023, Christmas was on a Monday, which placed Christmas Eve on a Sunday.
This year is the first time Trump has specifically declared December 26 a federal holiday, as per the Yahoo News report.
Federal employees whose jobs are not considered essential will have Christmas Eve and December 26 off. The order does not apply to private employers, which can decide for themselves whether to close or give employees the day off.
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The federal holiday designation does not change normal operations for businesses, banks, or the post office.
Most private businesses, including major retailers and mall stores, are expected to remain open on Christmas Eve and December 26, though some may adjust their hours for the holiday season.
Banks will be open on Christmas Eve and December 26, according to the Federal Reserve, but will be closed on Christmas Day.
The post office will also remain open on Christmas Eve and December 26, with regular mail delivery and pickup. Postal operations will shut down on Christmas Day.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, the federal holidays in 2026 are:
Why are Christmas Eve and December 26 federal holidays this year?
Presidents often grant extra days off around Christmas depending on the calendar.
Did Trump create a new permanent federal holiday?
No. The order does not change existing federal holiday laws.
