The State authorizes 12 holidays each year, three of which must fall at Christmas. The campuses of the University of North Carolina system observe the same total number of holidays as those provided to other State agencies. However, each campus sets its own specific holiday/closing schedule based on institutional needs.
Holiday |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1 | Tuesday, January 1 | Wednesday, January 1 | Friday, January 1 |
| Day After New Years | Tuesday, January 2: Open | Wednesday, January 2: Open | Thursday January 2: Open | Saturday, January 2 |
| MLK Jr. Day | Monday, January 15 | Monday, January 21 | Monday, January 20 | Monday, January 18 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 28 | Monday, May 27 | Monday, May 25 | Monday, May 31 |
| Independence Day | Wednesday, July 4 | Thursday, July 4 | Friday, July 3 | Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 3 | Monday, September 2 | Monday, September 7 | Monday, September 6 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 22 | Thursday, November 28 | Thursday, November 26 | Thursday, November 25 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday, November 23 | Friday, November 29 | Friday, November 27 | Friday, November 26 |
| Winter Break | Monday, December 24 | Monday, December 23 | Thursday, December 24 | Friday, December 24 |
| Winter Break | Tuesday, December 25 | Tuesday, December 24 | Friday, December 25 | Saturday, December 25 |
| Winter Break | Wednesday, December 26 | Wednesday, December 25 | Saturday December 26 | Sunday, December 26 |
| Winter Break | Thursday, December 27 | Thursday, December 26 | Sunday, December 27 | Monday, December 27 |
| Winter Break | Friday, December 28 | Friday, December 27 | Monday, December 28 | Tuesday, December 28 |
| Winter Break | Saturday, December 29 | Saturday, December 28 | Tuesday, December 29 | Wednesday, December 29 |
| Winter Break | Sunday, December 30 | Sunday, December 29 | Wednesday, December 30 | Thursday, December 30 |
| Winter Break | Monday, December 31 (University Reopens Wed Jan 2, 2019) |
Monday, December 30 & Tuesday December 31: Open | Thursday, December 31 (University Reopens Mon Jan 4, 2021) |
Friday, December 31 (University Reopens Mon Jan 3, 2022) |
| University Paid Holiday | Weekend Days | University closed: Employee to use annual leave, bonus leave, special bonus leave or comp time. If leave is not available for use, pay will be reduced for overdrawn leave. | University Open |
The State of North Carolina authorizes 12 holidays each year, three of which must fall at Christmas. The campuses of the UNC system observe the same number of holidays as those provided to other state agencies. However, each campus sets its own specific holiday schedule based on institutional needs.
Some employees must work on holidays to meet operational needs. To determine if additional compensation is applicable, review information on the Additional Compensation web page.
Employees may ask to take leave for major religious observances. Supervisors must arrange work schedules so that employees can take leave if it does not create an emergency situation in the department.
In accordance with G.S. 126-4(5), NC State University will observe a holiday in recognition of Veteran’s Day and Good Friday during the Winter break period.
Questions concerning the University Holiday Calendar should be directed to the Office of the AVC for Human Resources at 919-515-3443.