January Holidays and Observances

January 1
New Year's Day
Celebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 AM) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional end of holiday season.

Third Monday in January
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., or Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Honors Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights leader, who was actually born on January 15, combined with other holidays in several states.

January 20, every fourth year, following Presidential election
Inauguration Day
Observed only by federal government employees in Washington D.C., and the border counties of Maryland and Virginia, in order to relieve congestion that occurs with this major event. Swearing-in of President of the United States and Vice President of the United States. Celebrated every fourth year. Note: Takes place on January 21 if the 20th is a Sunday (although the President is still privately inaugurated on the 20th). If Inauguration Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the preceding Friday or following Monday is not a Federal Holiday