Independence Day 2025, 2026 and 2027
Every 4 July is Independence Day in the United States of America. While there are several other important patriotic holidays in the US, Independence Day is easily the most important of them all.
In 2024, Independence Day will be observed in all states on Thursday 4 July. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Friday. The year 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 Jul | Fri | Independence Day | All states; Federal workers |
| 2026 | 3 Jul | Fri | Independence Day Holiday | Federal workers; All states except AK, AZ, CA, IL, MA, MS, MT, NE, NV, OR, RI, SD, TX, WV, WI & WY |
| 4 Jul | Sat | Independence Day | All states; Federal workers | |
| 6 Jul | Mon | Independence Day Holiday | RI | |
| 2027 | 4 Jul | Sun | Independence Day | All states; Federal workers |
| 5 Jul | Mon | Independence Day Holiday | All states; Federal workers | |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | ||||
Independence Day is an official federal holiday and an off-work and off-school day for most workers and students. A three-day weekend is guaranteed by observing a day off on Friday if 4 July lands on a Saturday or on Monday if 4 July lands on a Sunday. Additionally, many employees choose to use up some of their vacation days to create an even longer weekend this time of year. They may then go on an extended family vacation for a week or even two. That’s why the traffic gets so bad and travel is so difficult this time of year!
The date 4 July was chosen because that is the day on which the Declaration of Independence was officially published in 1776. It was actually written by Thomas Jefferson and approved by the Continental Congress a couple of days earlier, however. Interestingly, fighting broke out between the Colonies and Great Britain in 1775, but Americans were so reluctant to make a clean break from the Mother Country that it was only the following year that it finally happened.
There are many patriotic events and displays scheduled on or around Independence Day each year. There are large parades in municipalities large and small all across the nation. The American flag is on display in both public buildings and private homes. And you may also hear patriotic music blaring out from local private parties and public street parties.
There are dazzling fireworks displays that are a must-see for many locals, and if you can’t make it, you generally watch the fireworks on TV! You will also notice patriotic programming on TV, radio, and other media venues in the days leading up to The Fourth of July.
Most families will gather for a special meal and party on 4 July. It is usually a picnic or an outdoor barbecue, though not always. Foods of the season include watermelon, hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, potato salad, baked beans, apple or cherry pie, and much more. Some people engage in games during 4 July celebrations, including watermelon seed spitting contests, three-legged races, tug-o-war, tag football, baseball, softball, and volleyball.
The core value celebrated on Independence Day is that of liberty or freedom. It was to protect their rights and those of their children that the 13 Colonies first declared independence, and it was to protect freedom that many wars and conflicts were fought over the years. That is why 4 July is a popular time to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 Jul | Thu | Independence Day | All states; Federal workers |
| 2023 | 4 Jul | Tue | Independence Day | All states; Federal workers |