State of Arkansas Holidays & Observances

Comprehensive list Arkansas Official National and State Holidays and how they are observed

Arkansas State Day: June 15
Became the 25th State to join the Union that makes up our Nation.

For a complete State by State listing, click here

 

Arkansas Official State Holidays 

Holidays in Arkansas are declared in the Arkansas State Statutes and include both public official holidays and special days and observances. Arkansas is one of a few states who still lists confederate holidays as special observance days but no longer includes them as public holidays. 

List of Arkansas Legal Public Holidays 

A holiday falling on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. A holiday falling on a Sunday will be observed on the succeeding Monday.

New Year's Day - January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

George Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) and Daisy Gatson Bates Day - 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - December 24 & 25

 

Arkansas Special Observances

Memorial Days

General Douglas MacArthur Day — January 26

Silas Hunt Day — February 2

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday — February 12

Arkansas Teachers' Day — First Tuesday in March

Arbor Day — Third Monday in March

Patriots' Day — April 19

Arkansas Bird Day — April 26

Good Friday — Friday preceding Easter

Jefferson Davis' Birthday — June 3

Columbus Day — October 12

Senator Hattie W. Caraway Day — December 19

Robert E. Lee Day — Second Saturday in October; and

John H. Johnson Day — November 1

Other Recognized Observances

Confederate Flag Day - Saturday immediately preceding Easter Sunday

White Cane Safety Day - October 15

Prisoners of War Remembrance Day - April 9

National Garden Week - 1st full week in June

Arkansas Agriculture Recognition Day - first Friday of March

POW/MIA Recognition Day - 3rd Friday in September

Native American Heritage Week - 3rd week in September

Juneteenth Independence Day - 3rd Saturday in June

Firefighter Recognition Day - January 27

Hemophilia Awareness Day - 1st Monday in May

Arkansas Music Appreciation Day - September 1

National Day of the Cowboy - 4th Saturday in July

Sultana Disaster Remembrance Day - April 27

 

---

State Statutes:  (Source with Universal Citation)

2020 Arkansas Code: Title 1: Chapter 5 - Holidays and Observances: § 1-5-101. Official holidays

(a) The following days are declared to be the sole official holidays applicable to state government in Arkansas:

(1) New Year's Day — January 1;

(2) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday — the third Monday in January;

(3) George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day — the third Monday in February;

(4) Memorial Day — the last Monday in May;

(5) Independence Day — July 4;

(6) Labor Day — the first Monday in September;

(7) Veterans Day — November 11;

(8) Thanksgiving Day — the fourth Thursday in November;

(9) Christmas Eve — December 24;

(10) Christmas Day — December 25; and

(11) An employee's birthday — an employee is granted one (1) holiday to observe his or her birthday.

(b) A holiday falling on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. A holiday falling on a Sunday will be observed on the succeeding Monday.

(c) It is the specific intent of the General Assembly that all state employees shall be entitled to eleven (11) paid holidays per year. The Office of Personnel Management shall promulgate rules and regulations to assure this legislative intent.

 

 

---

This article updated as of October 2023. While every attempt is made to be sure the information is accurate, we do not guarantee the information provided. States determine these holidays and new calendars and dates observed each year and may eliminate or add holidays and observances. Please check with your local state government website for the most up to date information and legal holiday guidelines. 

Copyright Notice: We understand that there are 100's of holiday sites and we are one that most use as a research and reference site. Please source our page when you use the creative content, listings and research we have provided. Thanks!