Legal Holidays

When a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the legal holiday is observed and UW System is closed on the Monday following the legal holiday.

Eligible employees are granted eight hours of floating legal holiday when: (a) a legal holiday falls on a Saturday or (b) a legal holiday falls on a Sunday and the following Monday is also a legal holiday.

Current · Historical

The State of Wisconsin grants nine days of paid legal holidays per calendar year to eligible employees.

2025 Legal Holidays When Observed
New Year's Day, January 1 Wednesday, January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Third Monday in January Monday, January 20
Memorial Day, Last Monday in May Monday, May 26
Independence Day, July 4 Friday, July 4
Labor Day, First Monday in September Monday, September 1
Thanksgiving, Fourth Thursday in November Thursday, November 27
Christmas Eve, December 24 Wednesday, December 24
Christmas, December 25 Thursday, December 25
New Year's Eve, December 31 Wednesday, December 31

2026 Legal Holidays When Observed
New Year's Day, January 1 Thursday, January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Third Monday in January Monday, January 19
Memorial Day, Last Monday in May Monday, May 25
Independence Day, July 4 Saturday, July 4 (Floating Holiday)
Labor Day, First Monday in September Monday, September 7
Thanksgiving, Fourth Thursday in November Thursday, November 26
Christmas Eve, December 24 Thursday, December 24
Christmas, December 25 Friday, December 25
New Year's Eve, December 31 Thursday, December 31

Floating Holiday Time Usage

Floating holiday time can be used any time during the fiscal year in which it is earned. This means that a 'January 1' floating holiday can be used anytime in the fiscal year it is earned. Unused floating holiday time is lost after June 30. Thus, individuals should use their floating holiday time before using vacation time.