Major U.S. Holidays
There are many different types of holidays in the U.S. Some are federal, some are religious, some are cultural, and many are a combination. Additionally, they will vary in how they are celebrated.
The following is a chronological list of major U.S. holidays with a brief description of how they are celebrated. Check the Wesleyan’s academic calendar for the exact days that Wesleyan offices are closed. Public transportation may not be operating on some of these dates, but taxis and private transportation companies like Uber will still be available. Be sure to check before you make plans.
Labor Day (September 2): Celebrates the workers in the United States. Government offices and many other businesses will be closed. Most restaurants, grocery stores, and Wesleyan will be open. People celebrate with barbeques and outdoor activities.
Rosh Hashanah (Based on the Jewish calendar; falls between September and October): This is the traditional beginning of the Jewish High Holidays. It also celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Hebrew calendar. Many Jewish people will not work or attend classes on this day, but most businesses (and Wesleyan) will be open.
Yom Kippur (Based on the Jewish calendar; falls between September and October): This is the Day of Atonement and is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. Many Jewish people will not work or attend classes on this day, but most businesses (and Wesleyan) will be open.
Halloween (October 31st): This is a cultural holiday and not one in which businesses will close. It is generally celebrated by dressing in costumes and giving candy to “trick-or-treaters.”
Veterans Day (November 11th): This holiday honors military veterans. Celebrations usually involve parades, church services and some public gatherings. Government offices will be closed on this day.
Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November): Thanksgiving is mainly about being grateful. People celebrate by eating a large meal with their family and friends. Most people return home during this time and Wesleyan will not hold classes for part of the week. While most stores close, you can generally find grocery stores and convenience stores open for at least part of the day.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24th and 25th): Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. However, there are many non-religious elements, most of them centering around Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve (after about 6 p.m.,) and Christmas Day (all day) most businesses will be closed, so if you are staying on campus make sure you buy food in advance. To celebrate this holiday, people usually exchange gifts and visit their families.
Chanukah (Hanukkah) (Based on the Jewish calendar; falls between November and December): Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple and a miracle where one day of oil lasted for eight days. This is a minor religious holiday and therefore most businesses (and Wesleyan) will be open.
Kwanzaa (December 26th - January 1st): Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. It is celebrated with a feast and gift giving. Most businesses will remain open during this time (with the exception of January 1st, New Year’s Day)
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (December 31st and January 1st): The U.S. celebrates the new year with parties on New Year’s Eve and family gatherings on New Year’s Day. Businesses may close early on New Year’s Eve, but restaurants and bars will remain open for celebrations. On New Year’s Day, many businesses will be closed.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday of January): Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known Civil Rights leader in the U.S. who practiced civil disobedience (protests without violence). This holiday is often celebrated as a day of community service. Government offices will be closed, but many other businesses will be open.
Valentine’s Day (February 14th): This is a cultural holiday celebrating love. It is largely celebrated by couples exchanging gifts (flowers and candy are popular) and going out for the evening. Businesses are not affected by this holiday.
Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday of February): This holiday commemorates George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. It often referred to as “Presidents Day,” as the date falls between Washington’s birthday and the birthday of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12, 1809. The State of Connecticut also honors Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th. Government offices will be closed on both days, but many businesses will be open.
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th): This is a cultural holiday celebrating Irish heritage. It is mainly celebrated by going out and wearing green (green represents Ireland). Businesses are not affected by this holiday.
April Fools’ Day (April 1st): This is a cultural holiday in which people play tricks on each other. Once the trick is complete, they say “April Fools!” On this day, people may tell you things that are not true to see if you will believe them. Businesses are not affected by this holiday.
Easter (first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, usually between March 22 and April 25): Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like Christmas, there are many non-religious aspects of Easter, like the Easter Bunny. People celebrate by going to church and eating meals together. Additionally, children celebrate with Easter egg hunts and finding candy in their Easter baskets. Since the holiday always falls on a Sunday, many businesses will close on Good Friday (the Friday before) and reopen on Monday.
Passover (Based on the Jewish calendar; falls between March and April): Passover is a Jewish holiday. People celebrate with a Seder dinner which honors the Jewish people who escaped from Egypt. Many Jewish people will not work or attend classes on this day, but most businesses (and Wesleyan) will be open.
Mother’s Day (2nd Sunday in May): Mother’s Day is a cultural holiday where children and spouses give their mothers and wives gifts. It is similar to International Women’s day, but is only for mothers. Businesses will remain open.
Father’s Day (3rd Sunday in June): Father’s Day is a cultural holiday where children and spouses give their fathers and husbands gifts to honor them for being fathers. Businesses will remain open.
Independence Day (July 4th): The 4th of July celebrates the day that the U.S. declared its independence from Britain. It’s generally celebrated with outdoor activities like barbeques and in the evening there will be fireworks displays. Many businesses will be closed on this day.
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May): On this day, members of the U.S. armed forces who died serving their country are honored and mourned. Many businesses will be closed on this day.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (Based on the Islamic lunar calendar; varies each year): Ramadan is a Muslim holiday that lasts for a month. During this time, Muslims do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. It ends with Eid al-Fitr, a feast to celebrate the end of the fast. Businesses will remain open during this time.