Federal employees will get to enjoy a couple of extra days of holiday after a new executive β order was signed by President Donald Trump.
The executive order signed on Dec. 18 provides for the closing of executive departments and agencies of the federal government on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26. The order only guarantees the non-work days in 2025 and would have βto be reissued next year to be in effect.
But what does that mean for the average American? Most workers won't get the days off, as they are not permanent federal holidays. Some services, like banks and the post office, will remain open on Christmas βEve and the day after Christmas, but will be closed on the 25th.
A person walks under a holiday light display at Edmond Electric's Luminance at Mitch Park, in Edmond, Oklahoma, Dec. 17.
Are Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays?
Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 have been declared federal holidays in 2025, but have not been permanently added to the holiday schedule.
A permanent federal βholiday must first pass through Congress and be signed into law by the president, as done by former President Joe Biden in 2021, adding Juneteenth.
This is not the first time Trump has included Christmas Eve on a temporary holiday order. He previously βdid it during his first term in 2019 and 2020. Former President Barack Obama declared Dec. 26 a holiday in 2014.
Who gets Christmas Eve, Dec. 26, off?
Many workers are β used to having federal holidays off, but it's βrare for non-government offices to give workers paid time off for temporary additions. Those who didn't already have these days off are likely still expected to show up to the office like any other day.
Only federal agencies will βbe closed on those days. Some employees βmay still have to report to work, at the discretion of agency leaders, according to Trump's order. Private businesses can decide to give their employees time off, but they are not obligated to by law.
Do state β employees get federal holidays off?
Usually, but sometimes a state's calendar of holidays can differ βfrom the federal holiday calendar.
Will banks, stores, post offices β be closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26?
While federal government offices may close their doors the days before and after Christmas this year, banks and post offices should remain open.
U.S. Postal Service post offices will β be closed on Christmas Day, and mail will not be delivered, according to the agency's website. However, they will operate regularly on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26. USPS recommends checking your local office for specific hours of operation.
Similarly, according to theΒ Federal Reserve,Β banks will follow the typical schedule of being open for business on Dec. 24 and 26 and closed on Christmas β Day.
