Complete List of California State Holidays and Designated Days

California marks official holidays and designated days affecting public office closures and institutional schedules across the state. This article outlines observed dates, state requirements, and adjustments when holidays fall on weekends.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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Table of Contents

1. Official California State Holidays Recognized by Law

2. Designated Observance Days and Governor-Proclaimed Events

3. How California State Holidays Impact Government Operations and Deadlines

Official California State Holidays Recognized by Law

California state holidays are covered in Chapter 7 of Govt. Code, Title 1, Division 7. Sections 6700 through 6730 of Chapter 7 were incorporated into California law during 1951. California observes the following holidays, per Section 6700:

Every Sunday.
The first of January.
January’s third Monday is “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” Day.
“Lincoln Day” is observed on February 12.
February’s third Monday
The 31st of March, which is “Cesar Chavez Day.”
May’s final Monday.
4^th July
September’s first Monday
September 9, commonly referred to as “Admission Day.”
“Native American Day” is observed on the 4th Friday of September.
“Columbus Day” is the 2^nd Monday of Oct.
Veterans Day is on 11^th Nov.
25^th December
Good Friday, from 12 pm to 3 pm.

In addition to these California state holidays (official), any day designated by the Governor or President as a public holiday, a day of thanksgiving, or a day of fasting is also observed.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) for public employees is in effect without additional legislative action; however, if the terms of the memorandum of understanding call for the spending of funds, they do not take effect until the Legislature has approved them in the yearly Budget Act.

The next Monday is a holiday in accordance with Section 6701 if any of the following dates fall on a Sunday: Jan 1, Feb 12, Mar 31, Jul 4, Sep 9, Nov 11, or Dec 25. Furthermore, the Friday before is a holiday if November 11 falls on a Saturday. The Legislature can also observe the holiday on a Fri or Mon if March 31st falls on a Tues, Wed, or Thurs without exception.

Every Saturday between noon and midnight is designated as a holiday under Section 6702, which also applies to political divisions and state public offices where laws, charters, or ordinances stipulate closures on California state holidays.

All state governmental agencies, government institutions, and the University of California will be closed for Admission Day in accordance with Section 6703. On Veterans Day, November 11, all state institutions and public offices, including but not limited to the Legislature and all state departments and agencies, are closed.

When it comes to the conduct of business in the official offices of any city or district, Section 6704 gives the legislative body the authority to declare every Saturday a holiday.

According to section 6707, an act may be carried out on the following working day with the same consequences as if it had been carried out on the designated day if the deadline for submitting any paperwork or other document to a state agency occurs on a Saturday or holiday.

Designated Observance Days and Governor-Proclaimed Events

The following must be declared by the governor:

“Cabrillo Day” is September 28 (Section 6708).
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on January 15 (Section 6709).
“Arbor Day” is March 7 (Section 6710).
19^th February as “Japanese American Evacuation: A Day of Remembrance” (Section 6711)
“Native American Day” is observed on the fourth Friday of September (Section 6712).
“Stepparents Day” is observed on the first Sunday of October (Section 6713).
“John Muir Day” is observed on April 21st (Section 6714).
Vietnam Veterans Day is observed on March 30 (Section 6715).
“Pearl Harbor Day” on 7^th Dec (Section 6716).
“Cesar Chavez Day” is on 31^st Mar (Section 6717).
According to Section 6718, February is Black History Month.
“Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A day of observance” is on the 3^rd Sat of Jun (Section 6719)
“California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide” is on 24^th Apr (Section 6720)
22^nd May: Harvey Milk Day (Section 6721).
The Constitution’s Section 6722—the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties—is on 30^th Jan.
Ronald Reagan Day is on 6^th Feb (Section 6723).
Ed Roberts Day is observed on January 23 (Section 6724).
Larry Itliong Day is observed on October 25 (Section 6725).
Space Day is observed on the first Friday of May (Section 6726).
Nowruz Day is 20^th March or the day after (Section 6727).
LGBT Pride Month is observed in June (Section 6728).
Dolores Huerta Day is 10^th April (Section 6729).

Such days cannot always be California state holidays, but they are established as either the days of educational or ceremonial observances.

How California State Holidays Impact Government Operations and Deadlines

While arranging closures or submitting documents, one becomes aware of California state holidays to adhere to the state law and have a clear schedule.

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Complete List of California State Holidays and Designated Days

Official California State Holidays Recognized by Law

Designated Observance Days and Governor-Proclaimed Events

How California State Holidays Impact Government Operations and Deadlines

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