Rhode Island State Holidays
Discover upcoming public holiday dates for Rhode Island and start planning to make the most of your time off.
Rhode Island celebrates the same holidays that are recognized by the federal government, including Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day and Labor Day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is celebrated on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on Monday. This includes holidays unique to the state
In addition to federal holidays, Rhode Island also recognizes Rhode Island Independence Day on May 4 as well as Victory Day on the second Monday in August. Victory Day marks the anniversary of victory over Japan during World War II. Rhode Island Independence Day celebrates the anniversary of the state’s General Assembly’s passage of an act that declared it an independent state in 1776.
The state also acknowledges General Election Day as a holiday on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even years. Rhode Island celebrates the third Monday in February as Washington’s birthday.
Rhode Island is one of only a few states that requires an employer to pay a higher rate of pay on a holiday. However, employers are not required to pay holiday pay if the business is closed on a holiday and the employee does not work.