US State Abbreviation
AK

State of Alaska Holidays & Observances

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

Alaska Day: October 18
Celebrates the anniversary of the transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia to the U.S. on Oct. 18, 1867 (state source). 

Alaska State Day: January 3
Became the 49th State to join the Union that makes up our Nation.

Alaska's government lists their annual holidays with the dates for each year on their Calendar page here. 

For a complete State by State listing, click here

 

Alaska Official State Holidays 

Alaska celebrates the Federal holidays and has also designated two additional public holidays: Seward's Day and Alaska Day. In addition, Alaska has a list of Designated Days and Months of Honor.

List of Alaska Legal Public Holidays

Sunday - first day of each week

New Year's Day - January 1

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

Presidents' Day - 3rd Monday in February

Seward's Day - last Monday of March

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Alaska Day - October 18

Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

 

Designated Days and Months of Honor

January

Alaska Law Enforcement Officers' Day -  January 9 - to honor law enforcement officers and peace officers

February

Black History Month - February - to honor and recognize the contributions that African Americans have made in the history of this state and the United States

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month - February - to increase the public's awareness of teen dating violence in the state, encourage Alaskans to pursue healthy relationships and learn the signs of teen dating violence, and promote prevention of and action to end teen dating violence.

Marmot Day - February 2 

Ernest Gruening Day - February 6 - to honor Ernest Gruening, doctor, editor, and statesman, for a lifetime of service to the territory and state of Alaska and the nation

Elizabeth Peratrovich Day - February 16 - to honor Elizabeth Peratrovich, past Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, for her courageous, unceasing efforts to eliminate discrimination and bring about equal rights in Alaska

March

Sobriety Awareness Month - March - to increase the public's awareness of prevention and treatment of alcoholism, drug abuse, and misuse of hazardous volatile materials and substances by inhalant abusers

Alaska History Week - first week of March - to celebrate the contributions and experiences that comprise the past development of The Great Land.

Susan Butcher Day -  first Saturday of March of each year, the traditional start date of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race - to honor Susan Butcher, a loving mother, devoted wife, world-class athlete, determined competitor, true Alaskan, and four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion

Ashley Johnson-Barr Day - March 12 of each year to honor Ashley Johnson-Barr

Great Alaska Good Friday Earthquake Remembrance Day - March 27 - to honor those who died throughout the state in earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides after the most powerful recorded earthquake in North America, and also to honor those who died attempting to save others. The devastating consequences and efforts of recovery after the 1964 earthquake provided many lessons that should not be forgotten and should be used to develop a safer human environment in the state and to increase public awareness, which is the most cost-effective and critical aspect of preparation for the next earthquake

Vietnam Veterans Day - March 29 - to acknowledge and commemorate the military service of American men and women in Vietnam

April

Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Days - April 9 - to recognize and honor all former prisoners of war (POWs) from our nation's wars who have returned home

Bob Bartlett Day - April 20 - to honor E.L. “Bob” Bartlett, the “architect of Alaska statehood,” for a lifetime of public service to Alaska and the nation

Vic Fischer and Jack Coghill Constitution of the State of Alaska Day - April 24 - to honor Jack Coghill, Vic Fischer, and the other delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Convention and commemorate the creation of the Constitution of the State of Alaska

May

Family day and family preservation month - May 1 - to celebrate the institution of the family. The month of May each year is established as Preservation of the Family Month to encourage the preservation of the institution of the family. Family Day and Preservation of the Family Month may be observed by suitable observances by families, such as a family discussion of the role of families, the rights and responsibilities of children and parents, and appropriate methods for the resolution of violent feelings in family conflict, and by exercises by civic groups and the public. In observance of Family Preservation Month, the Department of Family and Community Services shall encourage the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Alaska families.

Motorcycle and Motor Scooter Awareness Month - May - to increase the public's awareness of the presence of motorcycles and motor scooters on roads and highways in the state and that remind motor vehicle drivers to be aware of the presence of motorcycles and motor scooters when driving.

Alaska Agriculture Day - first Tuesday in May - to recognize the many contributions of the agricultural industry in Alaska

Alaska Day of Prayer - first Thursday in May - an opportunity for residents of all faiths to join in united prayer to give thanks for blessings received, to request healing for wounds endured, to ask divine guidance for our leaders, and to bring wholeness to the citizens of our state and our nation

Alaska Mining Day - May 10 - to recognize and honor the intrepid individuals and industry that played an enormous role in settling and developing the territory and the state and that continue to contribute to the economy of the state. Mining served as a driving force behind the creation of the Alaska Railroad in the early 20th century, and the ongoing development of the mineral resources of the state, including rare earth minerals, contributes to the security and economy of the state and the nation

Hmong-American Veterans Day - May 15 - to acknowledge and commemorate the military service of Hmong-American men and women

Alaska Public Gardens Day - Saturday immediately preceding Memorial Day - to commemorate the state's public gardens and the role the gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship, the economy, a healthy food supply, education, plant conservation, recreation, and research.

Katie John Day - May 31 - to honor Ahtna Athabascan elder Katie John for her mentoring and advocacy in defense of Alaska Native customary and traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering rights

June

Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day - June 3 - to commemorate the attack on Dutch Harbor on June 3, 1942, and to honor the individuals who died as a result of the attack and those inhabitants of Attu and Kiska who fell into enemy hands three days later and were held captive in Japan until the end of World War II. On Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day the many servicemen who died in 1943 while recapturing Attu and Kiska from the Japanese are also honored for their diligent service to the United States and to the state. 

Walter Harper Day - June 7 - to honor Walter Harper, who in 1913 became the first person to summit Denali, for his superb subsistence skills, his integrity, his strong sense of identity and purpose, and his ability to navigate comfortably in both the Athabascan culture and other cultures of the United States

Children's Day - second Sunday of June of each year to honor Alaska children and to promote their value and well-being in our communities

Juneteenth Day - third Saturday in June - to commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865

Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day - June 27 of each year to promote awareness of persons suffering from post-traumatic stress injury and to encourage Alaskans to reach out to those persons to provide support and eliminate the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress injury

July

Drunk Driving Victims Remembrance Day - July 3 of each year to commemorate the victims of drunk driving

Alaska Flag Day -  July 9 - to honor the creation of the design of the official flag of the state by Benny Benson and its importance as a symbol of the state

Jay Hammond Day - July 21 of each year to honor Governor Jay Hammond

Ted Stevens Day - fourth Saturday of July - to honor Theodore F. “Ted” Stevens, whose long record of public service includes 40 years as a United States senator from Alaska, for his service to the state and the nation

Alaska National Guard Day - July 30 of each year to honor the Alaska National Guard

August

Purple Heart Day - August 7 - to honor recipients of the Purple Heart

Alaska Wild Salmon Day - August 10 - to celebrate the enormous bounty that the following wild salmon bring to the state every year

Wickersham Day - August 24 - in honor of James Wickersham

September

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day - September 9 - to promote awareness of the fact that there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, to increase identification of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and to improve the lives of those affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Older Alaskans' Day - second Wednesday of September - to honor residents of the state who are 60 years of age or older for the many contributions made by older Alaskans to the state

Patriot Day - September 11 of each year to commemorate the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and to honor the individuals who died or were injured in the attacks, the courageous first responders and other individuals who gave their lives to save others during the attacks, and the brave individuals who continue to serve and protect our nation, including military personnel, first responders, and health care providers. 

October

William A. Egan Day - October 8 - to honor William “Bill” Egan, the first governor of the state of Alaska, for a lifetime of service to the territory and state of Alaska

Alaska Firefighters' Day - Sunday preceding or on October 9 - to honor firefighters in the state

Indigenous Peoples Day - second Monday of October 

Alaska Territorial Guard Day - October 18 - to acknowledge and commemorate the service of the members of the Alaska Territorial Guard in defense of Alaska and the United States during World War II

African American Soldiers' Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day - October 25 each year, beginning in 2017, the 75th anniversary of completion of the Alaska Highway, to honor the sacrifices made by African American soldiers who built the Alaska Highway

November

Avalanche Awareness Month - November - to increase the public's awareness of avalanche dangers, how to respond to avalanches, and the use of appropriate equipment in avalanche areas

Alaska Native Heritage Month - November - to honor and recognize the contributions made by Alaska Natives in the history of this state and the United States

Military Family Day - November 1 - to honor military families

Women Veterans Day - November 9 - to acknowledge and commemorate the sacrifices endured and valor displayed by American women veterans and to recognize their increasing role in the military

Dr. Walter Soboleff Day - November 14 - to honor Dr. Walter Soboleff

Anthony J. Dimond Day - November 30 - in honor of “Tony” Dimond

December

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7 - to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and to honor the individuals who died as a result of the attack

 

State Statutes:  (Source with Universal Citation)

2022 Alaska Statutes: Title 44: Chapter 12. Holidays, Agency Office Hours, and Official Language

Article 1. Legal Holidays: Sec. 44.12.010. Legal holidays.

(a) The following days are legal holidays:

(1) the first of January, known as New Year's Day;

(2) the third Monday of January, known as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday as provided in (b) of this section;

(3) the third Monday in February, known as Presidents' Day;

(4) the last Monday of March, known as Seward's Day;

(5) the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day;

(6) the fourth of July, known as Independence Day;

(7) the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day;

(8) the 18th of October, known as Alaska Day;

(9) the 11th of November, known as Veterans' Day;

(10) the fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day;

(11) the 25th of December, known as Christmas Day;

(12) every Sunday;

(13) every day designated by public proclamation by the President of the United States or the governor of the state as a legal holiday.

(b) For employment purposes, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday is a legal holiday for state employees who

(1) are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement; or

(2) are covered by a collective bargaining agreement whose terms

(A) include by name Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday; or

(B) have been amended to substitute a holiday on the third Monday of January for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday in place of another paid holiday.


Article 2. Designated Days and Months of Honor.


 

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! 

 

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