State of Wisconsin Holidays & Observances

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

Wisconsin State Day: May 29
Became the 30th State to join the Union that makes up our Nation.

For a complete State by State listing, click here

List of Wisconsin Legal Public Holidays 

Whenever any legal holiday falls on Sunday, the succeeding Monday shall be the legal holiday.

New Year's Day - January 1

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

Presidents' Day - 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Juneteenth - June 19

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October

Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

Wisconsin Special Observances

Wisconsin family month, week and Sunday - November, in which the celebration of Thanksgiving occurs, is designated as Wisconsin Family Month, the first 7 days of that month are designated as Wisconsin Family Week and the first Sunday of that month is designated as Family Sunday. 

Fire Prevention Week - the week in October during which October 9 falls

Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day - Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week

Indian Rights Day - July 4

William D. Hoard Day - October 10 

Ronald W. Reagan Day - February 6 

State Statutes:  (Source)

995.20  Legal holidays. January 1, the 3rd Monday in January (which shall be the day of celebration for January 15), the 3rd Monday in February (which shall be the day of celebration for February 12 and 22), the last Monday in May (which shall be the day of celebration for May 30), June 19, which shall be the day of observation for Juneteenth Day, July 4, the 1st Monday in September which shall be known as Labor day, the 2nd Monday in October, November 11, the 4th Thursday in November (which shall be the day of celebration for Thanksgiving), December 25, the day of holding the partisan primary election, and the day of holding the general election in November are legal holidays. On Good Friday the period from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. shall uniformly be observed for the purpose of worship. In every 1st class city the day of holding any municipal election is a legal holiday, and in every such city the afternoon of each day upon which a primary election is held for the nomination of candidates for city offices is a half holiday and in counties having a population of 750,000 or more the county board may by ordinance provide that all county employees shall have a half holiday on the day of such primary election and a holiday on the day of such municipal election, and that employees whose duties require that they work on such days be given equivalent time off on other days. Whenever any legal holiday falls on Sunday, the succeeding Monday shall be the legal holiday.

995.22  Wisconsin family month, week and Sunday. The month of November, in which the celebration of Thanksgiving occurs, is designated as Wisconsin Family Month, the first 7 days of that month are designated as Wisconsin Family Week and the first Sunday of that month is designated as Family Sunday. In conjunction therewith, appropriate observances, ceremonies, exercises and activities may be held under state auspices to focus attention on the principles of family responsibility to spouses, children and parents, as well as on the importance of the stability of marriage and the home for our future well-being; and the chief officials of local governments and the people of the state are invited either to join and participate therein or to conduct like observances in their respective localities.

995.225  Fire Prevention Week.

(1)  The week in October during which October 9 falls is designated Fire Prevention Week and the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week is designated Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. In conjunction with the week, appropriate observances, ceremonies, exercises, and activities may be held under state auspices to do all of the following:

(a) Commemorate 2 of the most devastating fires in U.S. history, both of which started on October 8, 1871, the Peshtigo fire and the Chicago fire.

(b) Study fire safety tips to help avoid home fires.

(c) Recognize that well-trained, dedicated, and well-equipped fire departments are important to all of the residents of this state.

(d) Recognize that thousands of state firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, dedicate themselves to protecting lives and property.

(e) Express the gratitude of the residents of this state for the valuable contributions that firefighters have made to the other residents of this state.

(f) Honor those contributions and memorialize the firefighters of this state who have died while performing their duties.

(2) The chief officials of local governments and the people of the state are invited either to join and participate in the observances, ceremonies, exercises, and activities under sub. (1) that may be held under state auspices or to conduct similar observances in their respective localities.

995.23  Indian Rights Day. July 4 is designated as “Indian Rights Day," and in conjunction with the celebration of Independence Day, appropriate exercises or celebrations may be held in commemoration of the granting by congress of home rule and a bill of rights to the American Indians. When July 4 falls on Sunday, exercises or celebrations of Indian Rights Day may be held on either the third or the fifth.

995.24  William D. Hoard Day. October 10 is designated as William D. Hoard Day. Appropriate exercises and celebrations may be held on that day, William D. Hoard's birthday, to honor him and remember him as the 16th governor of Wisconsin and the leading promoter of the dairy industry through his weekly magazine, Hoard's Dairyman.

995.30  Ronald W. Reagan Day. February 6 is designated as Ronald W. Reagan Day. Appropriate exercises and celebrations may be held on that day, his birthday, to honor him and remember him as the 40th President of the United States and a promoter of freedom and democracy throughout the world.

This article updated as of November 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. 

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