Washington D.C. Public Holidays 2025: Calendar & Key Dates

① 🪝 Impression Hook

Washington’s calendar in 2025 dances to a dual rhythm—federal tradition and local pride, with one holiday that turns the capital into a street festival of freedom.

② 🗺️ Schema Map (30-second overview)

🔑 Point A — D.C. observes all 11 federal holidays, including New Year’s Day and Christmas.  
📈 Point B — Unique to D.C.: Emancipation Day (April 16) is a full public holiday with parades and fireworks.  
📉 Point C — No state-level holidays beyond federal + Emancipation Day; no Columbus Day or Veterans Day closures.  
🌐 Point D — Federal workers follow OPM guidance; D.C. government aligns with it, affecting schools, courts, and transit.

TL;DR: D.C.’s 2025 holidays blend federal observances with a vibrant local Emancipation Day celebration.

③ 🧩 Triple-Chunk Core

Chunk 1 – What happened
In 2025, Washington, D.C. will observe 11 public holidays, including federal days like Independence Day and its own Emancipation Day on April 16, marking the end of slavery in the district.

Chunk 2 – Impact
Government offices, public schools, and courts close on these days; Metro may run on holiday schedules, affecting 700,000+ residents and commuters.

Chunk 3 – Insight
Emancipation Day is more than a day off—it’s a cultural cornerstone, reflecting D.C.’s push for autonomy and recognition, especially amid ongoing statehood debates.

④ 📚 Glossary

Emancipation Day — April 16 holiday in D.C. commemorating the 1862 abolition of slavery in the district, now marked by events and fireworks.
Public Holiday (D.C.) — A day when D.C. government offices, schools, and courts are closed; federal holidays apply due to federal jurisdiction.

⑤ 🔄 Micro-Recall

Q1: What unique public holiday does D.C. observe in 2025?
A1: Emancipation Day on April 16.

Q2: Are federal holidays like Thanksgiving observed in D.C.?
A2: Yes, all 11 federal holidays are observed.

Q3: Does D.C. close for Columbus Day?
A3: No, Columbus Day is not a public holiday in D.C.

⑥ 🚀 Action Anchor

for city planners and employers in D.C.：
1️⃣ Plan transportation and staffing around Emancipation Day events and closures.
2️⃣ Align payroll and operations with the official D.C. and OPM holiday calendar.
3️⃣ Recognize Emancipation Day as both a logistical and cultural milestone in local engagement.
Turn policy into pride—let holidays reflect the people they serve.