Black Friday might be the biggest shopping day in the U.S., but it’s not a federal holiday. That doesn’t stop some states from giving their employees the day off. Whether it’s about tradition, retail madness, or just extending Thanksgiving, a few states have made Black Friday an official state holiday, at least for public workers.
Black Friday isn’t a federal holiday
The day after Thanksgiving is not recognized as a federal holiday. That means private businesses, schools, and state offices can decide for themselves whether to stay open or close. Many private companies do give workers the day off, but it's not required by law.
States that officially observe Black Friday
Several states have made Black Friday an official state holiday for government employees. Here are a few that consistently give the day off:
- California: State offices are closed the day after Thanksgiving
- Florida: Observes the Friday after Thanksgiving as a state holiday
- Texas: Declares it a state holiday in most years
- Illinois: State workers get the day off
- Washington: Recognizes the day after Thanksgiving as a state holiday
- West Virginia: State offices close for Black Friday
- Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, and others: Include it on their official state holiday calendars
In total, more than half of U.S. states close public offices or offer the day off for state workers. It’s not always called "Black Friday" on the calendar. Some states refer to it as the "Day After Thanksgiving" to keep things more formal.
Private workers? Not guaranteed
While many private companies offer the day off, especially in retail, tech, or corporate offices, they’re not required to. For those in customer service, food, or retail jobs, Black Friday is often one of the busiest and most stressful days of the year.
Hourly workers may even be expected to work longer shifts with holiday shopping crowds. Overtime or holiday pay is up to the employer’s policies, not state or federal law.
Why some states offer it, and others don’t
The reasons vary. In many cases, states simply want to extend the Thanksgiving break for families. Some view it as a practical day off, since productivity tends to be low and many employees take vacation anyway. Others use it as an incentive or a substitute holiday if Christmas or New Year’s falls on a weekend.
In more conservative or rural states, there’s also a cultural preference for family time around the Thanksgiving holiday. Giving public workers Friday off fits with that ethos.
What this means for you
If you're a public employee, check your state’s official holiday calendar. If you're in the private sector, it all depends on your company. Some offices close entirely, while others offer a half-day or flexible hours. And if you're in retail; well, you probably already know what to expect.
The map keeps changing
Some states adjust their holiday calendars from year to year. Governors can issue proclamations that add or remove holidays based on political or economic factors. For example, a governor might cancel Black Friday time off during a budget crisis or offer it as a gesture of goodwill during a tough year.
That means the list of states observing Black Friday isn’t fixed forever, but for now, it's safe to say that in over 20 states, public workers are likely sleeping in while the rest of the country rushes to the sales.