List of Holidays and Celebrations in the USA
I love celebrations because they bring family, friends, and neighbors together and remind us that life should be fun.
Many Americans spend holidays with their friends and family, enjoying food, parades, and games (both televised and otherwise). Though this country is still less than 250 years old, they have made up for their youth with an assortment of holidays that they love to celebrate.
American Holidays
January–April | May–August | September–December |
---|---|---|
New Year's Day | Nurses Day | Labor Day |
Inauguration Day | National Day of Prayer | Grandparent's Day |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mother's Day | Citizenship Day |
Groundhog Day | Armed Forces Day | National Children's Day |
Super Bowl Sunday | Juneteenth | Columbus Day |
Valentine's Day | Father's Day | Boss's Day |
President's Day | Memorial Day | Sweetest Day |
St. Patrick's Day | Independence Day | Mother-in-Law's Day |
April Fool's Day | Parent's Day | Navy Day |
Easter | Friendship Day | Halloween |
Earth Day | — | Veterans Day |
Administrative Professionals' Day | — | Thanksgiving |
— | — | Hanukkah |
— | — | Christmas |
— | — | Kwanzaa |
New Year's Eve and Day
Date: December 31 and January 1
Americans celebrate New Year's Day just as many other countries do, though they do have a few customs that are their own.
At midnight between December 31 and January 1, many Americans flood the area of Times Square, Manhattan, New York to "watch the ball drop." This special ball is made of crystal and electric lights. It hangs on a pole that is 77 feet (23 meters) high until 11:59 PM on December 31, when it slowly begins to descend the pole until exactly midnight. Many other towns have their own version of the ball-drop, but most Americans who watch it do so on television, as it has been televised for many years. The tradition began in 1907.
Many Americans also watch the Rose Bowl, an American football game held in Pasadena, California. This Bowl pits two college teams together and is the highest attended college football game every year.
Though New Year's Day is a popular holiday, many people may still have to work, and many more will return to work on January 2. Schools, banks, and federal institutions are usually closed.
Inauguration Day
Date: January 20
Inauguration Day only occurs once every four years when the new or current president is inaugurated into office. This day will only change if it happens to fall on a Sunday. In those cases, the following Monday is Inauguration Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Date: Third Monday of January
On the third Monday of January, Americans remember the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) was a Baptist minister who was a leader in the African American Civil Rights Movement. He believed in advancing civil rights in a non-violent manner and received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts.
Unfortunately, he was assassinated, and many riots broke out because of his violent death. His "I have a dream" speech is well-known and well-loved among many.
Groundhog Day
Date: February 2
Groundhog Day is a holiday on which a groundhog is said to come out of his hole in the ground to decide when spring will begin. If he is frightened by his shadow, he will retreat into his hole, and there will be six more weeks of winter.
Super Bowl Sunday
Date: First Sunday in February
On this day, Americans gather to watch the Super Bowl, the championship of professional American football. Many others watch the game to enjoy the commercials as many companies vie to have the wittiest commercial.
Valentine's Day
Date: February 14
Valentine's Day in America is celebrated with the giving of flowers and chocolates. It is considered a romantic holiday. Many children in school create (or purchase) Valentines for each other. The symbol of Valentine's Day is typically a heart.
Presidents' Day
Date: Third Monday in February
On the third Monday of February, Americans celebrate Presidents' Day in honor of the first president, George Washington's birthday (born on February 22, 1732). It is typically remembered in schools, but not overly celebrated.
St. Patrick's Day
Date: March 17
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, many people dress in green and pinch those who don't. Others go to Irish pubs to drink beer. Interestingly, many (if not most) Americans celebrate the day, but don't know much about the man for which the day is celebrated.
Easter
Date: Varies Based on Moon and Spring Equinox
In celebration of Easter, many families in the United States go to church in honor of the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Those who don't go to church (and even those who do) also celebrate by coloring eggs, having Easter egg hunts, and celebrating the Easter bunny (who hides baskets of treats for children).
April Fool's Day
Date: April 1
Americans tend to celebrate April Fool's Day by playing tricks and pranks on each other and then declaring "April Fools!" Pranks can range from simple to elaborate, and many companies join the fun by advertising fake products or services for the day.
Earth Day
Date: April 22
Earth Day is when Americans celebrate the earth and oceans. On this day, many communities, businesses, and schools will work together to do community service by cleaning their neighborhoods, roads, and parks of debris. It is also a good day to remember the importance of recycling.
Administrative Professionals' Day (Secretaries' Day)
Date: Wednesday of the Last Full Week of April
This is the day that many administrators show appreciation to those who make their lives easier at the office by giving gifts to their assistants.
Nurses Day
Date: May 6
A day to thank nurses for their hard work in doctors' offices and hospitals. Unfortunately, this day isn't celebrated nearly enough, and nurses often go without thanks for their work.
National Day of Prayer
Date: First Thursday in May
On this day, many people gather together to pray for their country, family, or themselves.
Mother's Day
Date: Second Sunday in May
Mother's Day is a day set aside to celebrate those who raised or gave birth to us. Though traditions will vary from family to family, many Americans give their mothers chocolates, flowers, and jewelry or take her out to lunch. Others may make her breakfast and serve it to her while she is still in her bed.
Armed Forces Day
Date: Third Saturday in May
Armed Forces Day is for remembrance and honor of both living and dead soldiers of the armed forces.
Juneteenth (Liberation of Slaves)
Date: June 19
Juneteenth is a state holiday that is recognized by 32 of the 50 states. It celebrates when the African American slaves were set free. It's also known as Emancipation Day.
Father's Day
Date: Third Sunday in June
This day is set aside to celebrate fathers. As with Mother's Day, traditions will vary from family to family, but many people choose to celebrate by having a barbecue dinner and possibly playing some sort of sport in the park.
Memorial Day
Date: Last Monday of May
Though Memorial Day is set aside to remember ancestors—especially those who have fallen in battle—most Americans seem to equate the day to beaches, barbecues, and the first "three-day weekend" of summer.
That being said, most cities and towns do have ceremonies (many of which are held in cemeteries) within their town to celebrate those who have fallen in battle. Families who have lost someone dear to them (especially if they were lost recently) may go to the cemetery to "spend time" with their loved one, while others who haven't felt the sting of death may visit to pay respects to unknown fallen soldiers.

Independence Day commemorates the United States first declaring itself an independent nation on July 4, 1776.
Independence Day
Date: July 4
On this day, Americans celebrate the day they became an independent nation. on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the United States independent of Britain with the Declaration of Independence. Many go to parades and watch fireworks at night. Some communities also hold picnics and other festivities for the locals to attend. Many families will eat hamburgers, hot dogs, or other grilled food in celebration.
Parents' Day
Dare: Fourth Sunday in July
Parents' Day is a time to celebrate the hard work and love of parents. Unlike Mother's Day or Father's Day, this holiday is for all parents.
Friendship Day
Date: First Sunday in August
On this day, people spend time with someone important in their life who they would like to honor as a good friend.
Labor Day
Date: First Monday in September
Most Americans celebrate this holiday to mark the end of summer, as opposed to for political or historical reasons.
Grandparents Day
Date: Sunday After Labor Day
Parents get Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Parent's Day. This holiday is dedicated to the grandparents in your life. Many families gather together to have picnics or dinners.
Citizenship Day (Constitution Day)
Date: September 17
Citizenship Day marks the anniversary of when the US Constitution was first ratified. On this date in 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the Constitution.
National Children's Day
Date: Second Sunday in October
If parents get a holiday, why shouldn't children, too? Though not as popular as Mother's Day or Father's Day, Children's Day is a holiday for celebrating the kids.
Columbus Day
Date: Second Monday in October
Columbus Day marks the anniversary of the day that Christopher Columbus "discovered" North America in 1492. On this day, some Americans choose to celebrate a different holiday, Indigenous People's Day, instead.
Boss's Day
Date: October 16
On Boss's Day, some employees show appreciation to their bosses by giving them small gifts.
Sweetest Day
Date: Third Saturday in October
This is simply a day for spreading joy and happiness to those who are in need.
Mother-in-Law's Day
Date: October 26
Much like Mother's Day, this is a day dedicated to celebrating a special mom in your life—but this time it's your spouse's mother, not your own.
Navy Day
Date: October 27
This holiday celebrates the honor and achievements of the United States Navy.
Halloween
Date: October 31
Halloween is often celebrated by children dressing up as fantasy characters and going door-to-door to ask for candy by saying "trick or treat." In more recent years, many communities will have a select location for children to go to collect candy from stores, churches, or other businesses.
Depending on the community, families may attend hay mazes, haunted houses, or other events to celebrate the holiday. Families also often hold Halloween parties in their homes.
Decorations for Halloween include fake spider webs, fake tombstones, and jack-o'-lanterns (a face carved into a pumpkin). People who don't celebrate "Halloween" will sometimes celebrate a "Harvest Day" or a similar event.
Veterans Day
Date: November 11
Veterans Day honors those who have served in the war, either alive or dead. Though many businesses remain open for this day, most federal buildings, schools, and banks are closed.
Thanksgiving
Date: Fourth Thursday in November
Thanksgiving is a day for remembrance and thankfulness, in commemoration of the harvest and of pilgrims' first feast with the Native Americans. Many Americans get together with their families for a large meal (typically a turkey dinner) and recite things for which they are thankful.
Hanukkah
Date: Varies Depending on the Hebrew Calendar
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. It is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the temple in the second century BC. The holiday is celebrated by lighting candles on a unique nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiah. Children also often play with a dreidel in a fun and unique game.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Date: December 24 and 25
Many Americans go to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They also celebrate Christmas by opening presents that are placed under a Christmas tree on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (the legend says Santa Claus is the man who puts the gifts under the tree). Many families also spend a lot of time and energy decorating their houses, both inside and out; and many communities even have competitions for the best-decorated house.
Kwanzaa
Date: December 26–31
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration to celebrate the culture of African Americans and that of their ancestors. The holiday was created to help African Americans reconnect with their African heritage. The celebration typically ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts amongst friends and family.
Comments
1007391 on April 10, 2020:
What about Pets day
OK2Bite on November 25, 2019:
Kwanzaa to reconnect People of Color with their African heritage? Huh, that's so few people. Why not reconnect people that LOOK white with their African heritage? Seems like those would be the more disconnected group. But HEY, BETCHA THINK THATS RACIST!
Gold king falcon on November 18, 2019:
You forget Election Day but thanks for helping
Charlotte on November 06, 2019:
I was looking for the celebration people celebrate in the usa for a project I am doing for school cuz I am in 4th grade and all it showed me was things celebrated in florida and I was looking for thing celebrated in places other than florida this website is super bad do not search this!!!
john on August 08, 2019:
its bad I asked for traditions
A_PERSON_1_2_3_ on April 03, 2019:
This is only a list of holidays commonly celebrated by Americans not holidays sometimes celebrated by Americans.
Anthony on March 17, 2019:
You guys are fools ! Cinco de Mayo is with in the 5 top. There are about 40 million Mexican Americans (60 million Latinos ) No! It’s not a big Mexican( country ) thing . It’s a Celebration that Americans like to be a part of.
wyatt on January 30, 2019:
thank you for the info
lia on November 23, 2018:
thanks so much for the informations
Abi on November 16, 2018:
That,s great
Twilight Sparkle on November 15, 2018:
Woah! Some of these celebrations are what I never heard of.
reza on June 15, 2018:
thank's for your information.
KNEEGROW on May 22, 2018:
thanks
dead pool on February 16, 2018:
Thanks .
you on February 01, 2018:
Thanks
Layne on January 08, 2018:
Wow, I didn't know America had so many Holidays!!!
Unknown on November 15, 2016:
Thanks it helped a lot but some I don't know
prince on October 08, 2016:
i think Americans are full of imagination and that is why they have all these holidays.
Thanks on August 26, 2015:
Thanks to everyone
Holiday Girl (author) on June 22, 2015:
Amari, I didn't know about National High Five Day, but I still didn't add it because it is a very obscure holiday. If I added all of the very obscure holidays, this list would be too long. I am going to (hopefully) start writing about the obscure holidays for each day starting next year. It will be an extensive project, but I will be sure to write about it on April 16 for sure :)
Holiday Girl (author) on June 22, 2015:
Thanks for catching that I missed Easter (and that's my favorite holiday too!) I'm not sure why I forgot it. I will add it now.
Roy on May 24, 2014:
Easter weekend should be a holiday also, why not.
daniel on May 19, 2014:
cool Americans celebrations guys they sound cool
Amari on May 12, 2014:
They forgot National High Five Day!
If you don't believe me, look it up- it's real
:D
join on November 25, 2013:
hi I like you
Dae on September 19, 2013:
You forgot Easter….
Janelle on June 30, 2013:
Thank YAH! :)
jane on October 27, 2012:
thanks