Honestly, if you’re trying to keep track of alabama state holidays 2025, you’ve probably realized by now that Alabama doesn't play by the same rulebook as the rest of the country. It’s a bit of a maze. While most states stick to the standard federal calendar, Alabama has this unique way of doubling up on holidays or holding onto traditions that make HR managers in other states scratch their heads.
Basically, the state calendar is a mix of the usual suspects like Christmas and Labor Day, blended with some very specific Southern history and a few brand-new additions that just kicked in recently. If you work for the state or just want to know when the banks are closed, you need to look at the fine print.
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The 2025 Calendar: A Strange Mix of Old and New
For starters, Alabama is one of the few places where you’ll see two names on a single holiday. Take January 20, 2025. To most of the U.S., it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In Alabama, it’s officially shared with Robert E. Lee’s Birthday. It’s a point of contention for some and a long-standing tradition for others, but for state employees, it means one day off with two very different meanings.
Then you have the legislative changes that happened in mid-2025. The Alabama Legislature finally got around to making Juneteenth (June 19) a permanent, official state holiday where offices actually close. Before this, it was a bit of a "wait and see" situation year to year. They also officially designated December 1 as Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day.
Wait—there's a catch with that last one.
Unlike Christmas or Veterans Day, Rosa Parks Day is a "commemoration" day. State offices don’t actually close. It’s more of a request from the state for citizens to reflect on her legacy. However, the law does allow cities and counties to decide for themselves if they want to make it a full-blown paid holiday.
Alabama State Holidays 2025: The Master List
If you’re planning your year or just trying to figure out why the courthouse is locked, here is how the official state schedule shook out for 2025.
New Year’s Day hit on Wednesday, January 1.
Robert E. Lee/Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday was observed on Monday, January 20.
George Washington/Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday happened Monday, February 17. Most of the country calls this Presidents' Day, but Alabama likes to keep the names specific.
Mardi Gras was Tuesday, March 4. This is a weird one. It’s only a legal holiday in Mobile and Baldwin counties. If you’re in Birmingham or Huntsville, it’s just another Tuesday. However, state employees outside those two counties get a "personal leave" day to make up for it.
Confederate Memorial Day fell on Monday, April 28. This is a state-wide closure.
National Memorial Day followed on Monday, May 26.
Jefferson Davis’ Birthday was Monday, June 2.
Juneteenth was Thursday, June 19. This was the first year it was fully codified as a permanent state holiday with mandatory office closures.
Independence Day was Friday, July 4.
Labor Day landed on Monday, September 1.
Columbus Day / Fraternal Day / American Indian Heritage Day all shared Monday, October 13.
Veterans Day was Tuesday, November 11. In Alabama, this is a big deal. The state claims to be the birthplace of the modern Veterans Day, and it's observed by almost every local government and school system.
Thanksgiving Day was Thursday, November 27.
Christmas Day fell on Thursday, December 25.
The Mardi Gras Inequality
Let's talk about the coast for a second. If you live in Mobile, Mardi Gras isn't just a party—it’s a legal right. For years, state workers in Mobile and Baldwin counties got the day off while the rest of the state had to work.
The legislature finally addressed this "inequity" in 2025. They passed House Bill 64, which basically says: "Okay, Mobile keeps their holiday, but everyone else gets a personal leave day to use whenever they want."
It’s a fair trade, honestly.
But there’s a rule. You have to use that personal day before December 31. It doesn't roll over. If you don't use it, you lose it. It's the state’s way of saying "Happy Mardi Gras, even if you aren't catching beads in Bienville Square."
Why Jefferson Davis Still Has a Day
You might be wondering why Alabama still observes things like Jefferson Davis’ Birthday or Confederate Memorial Day when many other Southern states have moved away from them.
It’s complicated. These holidays are written into the Alabama Code (the state’s permanent laws). Removing them requires an act of the legislature, and in Alabama, those bills often face significant uphill battles. For many in the state, these dates are about heritage and "honoring the dead" rather than a political statement. For others, they are uncomfortable relics of a past the state should move beyond.
Regardless of where you stand, as of 2025, they remain on the books. When June 2 rolls around, the state shuts down.
The Sales Tax "Holidays" You Actually Care About
When people search for alabama state holidays 2025, they aren't always looking for a day off work. Often, they’re looking to save money. Alabama runs two major sales tax holidays every year, and 2025 saw the introduction of a third potential one called "Adventure Awaits."
The Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday usually happens in February. You can buy batteries, flashlights, and generators (up to $1,000) without paying the 4% state sales tax.
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is the big one. It usually hits the third weekend in July. Clothing under $100, computers under $750, and school supplies are all fair game.
The new "Adventure Awaits" holiday, which was debated heavily in 2024 and 2025, targets outdoor gear. Think kayaks, fishing rods, and even some firearms. The state wants to encourage people to get outside, and they’re willing to drop the tax to make it happen.
Navigating the Rosa Parks Day Confusion
December 1 is special in Alabama. It’s the anniversary of the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955.
For a long time, it was just a date in a history book. But as of 2025, it’s an official state holiday. Sort of.
The law designates it as a "day of commemoration." If you work for the State Department of Revenue, you’re still going to be at your desk. However, keep an eye on your local city council. Montgomery and several other cities have started moving toward making it a full paid holiday for city employees.
It’s a "living" holiday. It’s evolving.
Actionable Steps for Alabamians
If you're trying to stay on top of this for the remainder of the year or looking ahead, here’s what you should actually do:
- Check your local county calendar. Alabama law gives counties a lot of leeway. Just because the state is open doesn't mean your local probate office isn't closed for a local festival or specific regional observance.
- Use that "Mardi Gras" personal day. If you're a state employee outside the coastal counties, don't leave that day on the table. It expires on December 31.
- Watch the tax holiday list. Not every city or county participates in the sales tax holidays. The state drops its 4%, but your city might still charge their 2% or 3%. The Alabama Department of Revenue usually posts a giant PDF list of participating localities a few weeks before each holiday.
- Plan for the "Double" Holidays. Banks follow the Federal Reserve calendar. State offices follow the Alabama calendar. On days like January 20 (MLK/Lee Day), both will be closed. But on Confederate Memorial Day, the banks are often open while the state offices are dark. Always call ahead.
The Alabama state holiday schedule is a reflection of a state that is deeply tied to its history but slowly—very slowly—trying to modernize. Whether you’re looking for a day at the lake or a day to save on a new laptop, knowing these dates is the only way to navigate the "Heart of Dixie" without getting frustrated.