{"id":376021,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-legal-holidays-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:33:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:33:52","slug":"pennsylvania-legal-holidays-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-legal-holidays-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Legal Holidays and Holiday Pay Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Legal Holidays and Holiday Pay Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Carol Clasby, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Pennsylvania<\/span> legal holidays<\/span> are government-designated days officially recognized by state law<\/span> for administrative operations, public office closures, and the calculation of legal deadlines. While federal and public-sector entities observe these designated calendar dates,\u00a0private employers<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0Pennsylvania<\/span>\u00a0are not legally required to offer paid or unpaid time off.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

All workers look forward to having holidays off, but should they expect them? Private employers<\/span> are not required to give employees time off <\/a>for legal holidays<\/span> under either federal law<\/span> or Pennsylvania<\/span> law. Knowing more about legal holidays<\/span> in Pennsylvania<\/span> can help you understand which ones you may or may not be getting off.<\/p>\n

Legal holidays<\/span> are the days officially recognized by state and federal governments for purposes such as administrative operations, calculating certain legal deadlines, and court schedules. Most government offices are closed, and public employees typically receive a paid day off.<\/p>\n

In general, private employers<\/span> aren\u2019t required to provide paid holidays, holiday leave<\/span>, or premium pay for employees who work on a legal holiday<\/span>. Most choose to voluntarily recognize legal holidays<\/span> by closing for the day, providing a paid day off, or paying a premium holiday pay<\/span> rate for employees who work. There are numerous reasons they do so, such as enticing employees.<\/p>\n

This article explores the legal holidays<\/span> in Pennsylvania<\/span>. It also examines key federal and state leave laws<\/span> that may impact Pennsylvania<\/span> employees.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania<\/span> Legal Holidays<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pennsylvania<\/span>\u2019s regular legal holidays<\/span> and observances<\/a> are determined by statute:<\/p>\n