Federal employees will get an extended break around Christmas in 2025. President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting the federal workforce time off on Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 26. Since Christmas Day falls on Thursday, Dec. 25, the move creates a five-day weekend for many federal workers (from Wednesday through Sunday).
This announcement matters for more than holiday travel plans. It affects staffing, leave calendars, public-facing services, and the end-of-year workload that hits many agencies in late December. It also raises practical questions: Who still has to work? What happens to offices that stay open? And what should federal employees and managers do now to prepare?
Source note: This article is a summary and explainer based on reporting by Government Executive.
What the executive order does (and what it does not)
The executive order grants time off on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 for the federal workforce. The practical outcome is simple: when your office closes and you do not have mission-essential duties, you may not need to take annual leave for those dates.
But it is not a blanket promise that every federal workplace will be dark for two full days. The directive allows agency heads to require certain offices to remain open if needed for:
- National security
- Defense needs
- Other public needs (essential services, safety, continuity of operations)
In other words, many employees will enjoy a five-day stretch away from work, but essential roles may still report for duty, remain on call, or work modified shifts. If your job supports public safety, border operations, health response, emergency management, or other round-the-clock coverage, expect your agency to publish local guidance.
Why this creates a five-day weekend
In 2025, Christmas lands on a Thursday. With Dec. 24 (Wednesday) and Dec. 26 (Friday) off, the workweek effectively disappears for many staff. Add the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), and you get a continuous break from Wednesday through Sunday.
For federal employees, this kind of schedule change can have ripple effects. Offices that normally move fast before year-end may need to shift deadlines earlier. Teams with end-of-quarter procurement work may scramble to finalize actions. Public-facing units may post reduced hours or limited services. This is why it helps to plan now, even if the holiday still feels far away.
Who may still have to work on Dec. 24 or Dec. 26?
Even with a government-wide excused absence, agencies can keep specific functions open. If you are unsure whether that includes you, check your component’s policies and your supervisor’s guidance.
Roles that often require coverage include:
- Emergency response and disaster operations
- Law enforcement, corrections, and security functions
- Border operations and transportation security
- Medical, public health, and patient care services
- Critical IT operations and cybersecurity monitoring
- Facilities support needed to keep essential sites running
If your office remains open, you may see staggered staffing, rotating coverage, or adjusted hours. In some workplaces, supervisors may ask for volunteers first and then assign coverage if needed. If you are union-represented, local agreements may also shape how these schedules are set.
This is not the first time federal workers received extra time off
Extra time off around Christmas is not unusual in federal service, especially when leaders can create a longer break with minimal disruption. Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, but federal employees have sometimes been excused from duty on that day when it helps form a longer weekend.
Government Executive’s reporting notes that during his first term, President Trump frequently granted time off on Christmas Eve. For example:
- 2019: Federal employees were unexpectedly given Dec. 24 off even though Christmas fell on a Wednesday.
- 2020: When Christmas Eve fell on a Thursday, employees received the full day off (while some past presidents granted half days in similar situations).
The day-after-Christmas closure also has precedent. The last time Christmas fell on a Thursday (in 2014), former President Barack Obama granted federal employees the day after Christmas off. In that year, however, the workforce did not also receive an additional day off on Christmas Eve.
Practical planning tips for federal employees
If you are a federal employee, this is a good moment to make small moves that prevent last-minute stress:
- Watch for local guidance: Your agency may issue instructions on staffing, timekeeping, or telework expectations.
- Confirm your coverage status early: If your team must provide mission coverage, ask how schedules will be assigned.
- Move deadlines forward: If you own tasks tied to year-end, set internal due dates earlier to account for reduced staff availability.
- Coordinate with external partners: Contractors, grantees, and state partners may not follow the same closure schedule.
- Update your out-of-office message: Include alternate contacts for urgent requests and note any limited monitoring.
Also remember: even if you personally have the days off, someone else in your workflow may not. If your work depends on approvals, signatures, access requests, or customer support, build in buffer time.
What this could mean for the public
For the general public, the most visible impact is likely reduced availability at federal offices during that week. Some services may pause, operate with limited staff, or close entirely for two additional days.
If you need to visit a federal office, submit a request, or get customer support, consider doing it earlier in December. Check official websites and posted holiday schedules for your local office. If the service is time-sensitive, ask about alternative submission routes or emergency contact options.
Quick FAQ
Is Dec. 24 a federal holiday?
No. Christmas Eve is not a standard federal holiday. However, presidents sometimes grant an excused absence on Dec. 24, depending on the year and calendar.
Will every federal employee get both days off?
Not always. Agency heads can require certain staff to work if the public need requires it, including national security and defense functions.
Does this apply to contractors?
Not automatically. Contractors follow the terms of their contracts. Some may get time off; others may not. Contractors should check with their company and contract manager.
What if my office has to stay open?
Your agency should provide local instructions. You may see rotations, limited staffing, or on-call coverage, depending on the mission.
The executive order giving federal employees Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 off sets up a rare five-day Christmas weekend in 2025 for many workers. For employees, it is a welcome break and a chance to plan smarter for year-end deadlines. For agencies, it is a scheduling puzzle that will require clear guidance and early coordination, especially for mission-essential teams that must remain on duty.
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