Public holidays and traditions guide Chicago
2021 Bank Holidays
New Years Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – January 18: Celebrates the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is generally observed on the third Monday of January (the real date for Martin Luther King’s Birthday is on January 15th).
President’s Day – February 15: Celebrates two of the US Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Memorial Day – May 31: Celebrates US military personnel who died during military service. It always occurs on the last Monday of May.
Independence Day – July 4: Celebrates the birth of America as an independent state and a sovereign nation.
Labor Day – September 6: Always occurring on the first Monday of September, it is the equivalent of 1st of May in Europe and other countries that celebrate their workers.
Columbus Day – October 11: Celebrates Columbus’s arrival on the new continent. It always occurs every second Monday of October.
Veteran’s Day – November 11: Celebrates the end of World War I and is always observed on the 11th of November.
Thanksgiving Day – November 25: It always occurs on the fourth Thursday of November. This holiday celebrates the Thanksgiving from 1621 that gathered the first pilgrims from Plymouth and Native Americans from the area.
Christmas Day – December 25: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
2022 Bank Holidays
New Years Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – January 17
President’s Day – February 21
Memorial Day – May 30
Independence Day – July 4
Labor Day – September 5
Columbus Day – October 10
Veteran’s Day – November 11
Thanksgiving Day – November 24
Christmas Day – December 25
Be aware that if a federal public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, many Federal, State, City, Postal, Bank employees, and other workers might take an extra day off of work. For example, when a holiday falls on Saturday, they might not work on the preceding Friday. When a holiday falls on Sunday, they might not work the following Monday.