Top 15 Most Popular Holidays in the United States
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Referring to the United States, you will immediately think of this as the world's leading economic and military power, the world's movie capital (Hollywood), a country of cultural diversity and ethnic diversity.
However, foreigners and even Americans are quite surprised and interested in American culture, including the biggest festival in this country.
Public holidays in the United States are fixed each year by day of the week, not by month.
Like other large and small countries, the United States also annually has many festivals held, some of which are now known all over the world.
Let's find out the traditional and unique festivals in America!
Top 15 Most Popular Holidays in the United States
1.ThanksGiving Day
When: Thanksgiving Day in America celebrated on Fourth Thursday in November.
Thanksgiving Day 2023 is on is Thursday, November 23rd.in USA and Canada. T
hanksgiving Day 2024 is on Thursday, November 28, a time for Americans to give thanks for the harvest and spend time with family and friends.
Thanksgiving Day gives a chance for the Americans to plan a four-day long weekend. It is celebrated since 1621marking the arrival of Puritans in Massachusetts.
Thanksgiving Day is the day with the highest food consumption of the year. It is followed by Black Friday which marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and has become the busiest shopping day and the day with the highest retail turnover of the year in the United States.
• What is Thanksgiving Day: History, Celebrations: Click Here
• Thanksgiving Day: 5 Weirdest Traditions Ever: Click Here
• Thanksgiving Day: How to make your own delicious candied yams: Click Here
2. Independence Day
As this is a Federal holiday, not only will schools and libraries be closed, most federal and state offices will be closed and there will be no mail deliveries on Independence Day. Independence Day is the most patriotic and enthusiastically celebrated of all America's holidays. There will be parades, barbeques, picnics and fireworks throughout the country.
It is a federal holiday and also a holiday in all 50 states and other US territories on July 4th.
On this day in 1776, the declaration of independence was signed. Citizens enjoy parades and plan picnics and fireworks.
 Happy Independence Day of USA (July 4): Timeline, Q & A and Facts About |
3.Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday of January)
People pay tribute to the Rev.Martin Luther King an African American who fought against civil rights. It is observed on January 15th, 1986.
Each year on the Third Monday of January (Martin Luther King Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/ observed on Monday, January 16th), America honors the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As this is a Federal holiday, not only will schools and libraries be closed, most federal and state offices will be closed and there will be no mail deliveries on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
 Martin Luther King Day: Best Quotes, Gift Cards and Interesting Facts |
4. President’s Day - Washington's Birthday (February 22)
Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. However, records show that George Washington's birthday is on February 22
It is a public holiday in the US in remembrance of the past presidents. Nonetheless, many businesses are open as usual and many stores hold sales on Washington's Birthday. Many delivery services, except for the Post Office, have a regular service and many, but not all, public transit systems operate on regular schedules. Some schools close for the whole week for a mid-winter recess.
 President Day - Washington's Birthday: History, Significance and Activities |
5. Memorial Day (Fourth Monday of May)
It is a holiday on fourth Monday of May for honoring the dead. Memorial Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
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| Troop 37 Assistant scout master and veteran of the 101st Airborne Rich Gundacker helps place American flags on veteran gravestones for Memorial Day. May 23, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) |
| Americans celebrate US federal holidays that are designated by the United States Congress which is different from the holidays of other countries. Congress is the only body that has the authority to declare holidays in the US. |
6. Veterans Day (November 11)
November 11 is observed as Veterans Day to pay homage to Americans who had served in World War 1. Parades are organized and the president of the country place a wreath on the tomb of unknowns in Arlington.
What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?*Memorial Day traces its roots back the tradition of Decoration Day in the 1860s, in which the graves of war dead were decorated with flowers. Decoration Day was observed in both the North and South in the days following the Civil War. Memorial Day is a time set aside for remembering and honoring military personnel that died in the service of their country, particularly those killed in battle. Memorial Day has a special flag tradition as well. On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half staff from sunrise until noon, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset in honor of the nation’s battle heroes. *Veterans Day is on Nov. 11, a tradition that marks the end of World War I. The day was later expanded to include veterans of all wars, both living and dead. Veterans Day honors all those who served in the U.S. military, whether in war or peacetime. |
7. Easter (First Sunday after the Full Moon)
Easter in the United States is celebrated in both religious and secular ways. In many communities, the Christian aspect of the holiday—honored by Passion Plays and church services—is combined with visits from the Easter Bunny, parades, and hunting for candy-filled eggs.
When Is Easter? The exact date of Easter is dependent on the lunar calendar. It falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the vernal equinox, which places it sometime between late March and mid-April each year.
When ís Easter 2023 in the US? Easter 2023 will be observed on Sunday, April 9. Easter's date can fluctuate pretty widely each year. While the holiday fell a little later in the month last year, this year, it'll be a little earlier. Hopefully, the weather in your area is just starting to warm up!
8.Christmas Day (25 December)
25 December the birthday of Christ is celebrated by decorating houses with stars, lights and Christmas trees. It is a religious holiday for the Christian community.
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| Christmas Day in the United States |
Many Americans, especially Christians will go to Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Many churches have special Christmas Carol services and events where the story of Christmas is told.
In New England (the American States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine), there are shops called 'Christmas Shops' that only sell Christmas decorations and toys all the year round!
Americans also send out Christmas Cards, like Carol singing and there's the unusual custom of the Christmas Pickle!
People in America like to decorate the outsides of their houses with lights and sometimes even statues of Santa Claus, Snowmen and Reindeer. Some cookies and glass of milk are often left out as a snack for Santa on Christmas Eve!
• Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? Click Here
• Merry Christmas: Best Wishes and Messages for family and friend: Click Here
• What is Christmas: History and Origin meaning: Here
9.New Year Day (January 1)
January 1st is celebrated as the New year day. It is a festival where celebration begins the night before. People party, have fun and wish one another Happy New year.
Most New Year’s festivities begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks displays.
10.Halloween (October 31)
Halloween in the U.S. comprises over-the-top costumes, homes dripping in skeletons and jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treating, haunted houses, street parties, and parades from Los Angeles to New York. Every city puts its own spin on the classics, though, of course.
It's not legal to celebrate Halloween as a holiday. The normal operating hours of government agencies, companies, and public transportation systems have been maintained. Keep a sharp eye out for kids who aren't used to playing outside in the dark if you're out and about in the late afternoon or evening. They may be more difficult to spot than usual if they're dressed in all-black or wearing masks. Excited, they could sometimes suddenly appear from in between cars or behind shrubs.
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| Halloween Day in America |
On Halloween, people gather with their loved ones and, perhaps, their coworkers. But in certain places, huge community gatherings are held. Celebrations might be held on Halloween night or on the two weekends before and after. Adults can participate in the festivities by viewing scary movies, hosting costume parties, or building fake graveyards and haunted houses.
During Halloween, many local kids go door-to-door dressed in elaborate costumes. They go from door to house demanding treats and tiny presents. They've threatened physical danger to the homeowners if they don't get what they want. This activity, known as "trick-or-treating," is meant to be enjoyed in good fun and without any malicious intent. However, if your kids want to participate, you should go with them and inspect the "treats" they get to make sure they aren't harmful before they eat them or play with them.
Some households decorate their yards and houses in a Halloween theme, while others carve "scary" faces into pumpkins and other vegetables to use as lanterns. These have been served to fend off bad spirits. Keep a dish of treats handy in case somebody comes on your door on Halloween and you happen to be home. Please the local fairies and gnomes with this!
11.Valentine’s Day (Feb.14)
In many places, Valentine’s Day is for couples, for romantic love only. Not in the USA!
In the USA, Valentine’s Day is a big event at schools. In elementary school, kids exchange Valentine’s cards. Each kid will make a special box, and every student in the class will put a small Valentine’s card in the box of every other kid in the class.
Adults also exchange Valentine’s Day gifts and cards with family and friends.
 Top 100 Best Wishes And Messages for Valentine’s Day |
12.St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
St. Patrick’s Day is officially observed on March 17 each year, though celebrations may not be limited to this date. The significance of March 17 is that it’s said to be the date of St. Patrick’s death in the late 5th century.
Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with successfully spreading Christianity throughout Ireland—hence the Christian celebration of his life and name.
Many people wear an item of green clothing on the day. Parties featuring Irish food and drinks that are dyed in green food color are part of this celebration. It is a time when children can indulge in sweets and adults can enjoy a “pint” of beer at a local pub. Many restaurants and pubs offer Irish food or drink.
13.Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving)
Black Friday is the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving and is considered the busiest shopping day in the US.
This special day has its origins in the traffic jam that occurred on the Friday after Thanksgiving 1965 in Philadelphia, when hundreds of thousands of Americans crowded together, blackened the streets and sidewalks to shop to Preparing for the upcoming Christmas. Immediately, the US business world advertised heavily in the mass media and launched a series of promotions and discounts to attract customers.
This day is the biggest sale day of the year. The price is low, the sale is limited, so people standing in line to buy are very crowded. Some people even brought blankets to sleep overnight in front of the door, waiting to lead to a long line of people. Going shopping today, in addition to the low price, the buyer also has a feeling of excitement and excitement
 Why is it called Black Friday - Holiday Shopping? What is Black Friday (Holiday Shopping)? Why is it called Black Friday? |
14.Labor Day (First Monday of September)
In other countries, Labor Day is May 1st.
Labor Day, is a legal holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and the Virgin Islands.
This is also the time when sports teams and sports have a long break after the competition season. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
There is a tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day. This fashion faux pas dates back to the late Victorian era. The Emily Post Institute explains that white indicated you were still in vacation mode, so naturally when summer ended so did wearing white.
15.Columbus Day (Second Monday of October)
It is celebrated on second Monday of October in remembrance of the Christopher Columbus who landed in the new world on October 12, 1492.
It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937.
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This holiday is controversial because the European settlement in the Americas led to the demise of the history and culture of the indigenous peoples. Columbus Day is a public holiday in some areas (see list below), where it is a day off and schools and most businesses are closed. In other areas, Columbus Day is a normal working day.
• In 2023 Columbus Day is Monday, October 9th.
• Columbus Day in 2024 is on Monday, the 14th of October.
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