State of Mississippi Holidays & Observances

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

Mississippi State Day: December 10 - date of joining the Union
This is the celebration of the State of Mississippi and the Official State Day. 

For a complete State by State listing, click here

Mississippi Official State Holidays 

Mississippi defines its state holidays in the states statutes. Both legal holidays (days off for government employees) and special observances are defined. Mississippi is also one of a few states that still currently legally celebrates confederate days. 

List of Mississippi Legal Public Holidays 

Any day that falls on a Sunday is observed as a legal holiday on Monday. 

New Year's Day - January 1

Robert E. Lee's birthday and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) - 3rd Monday in February

Confederate Memorial Day - last Monday of April

National Memorial Day and Jefferson Davis' birthday - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Armistice / Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

Mississippi Special Observances

Elvis Aaron Presley Day - August 16 - in recognition and appreciation of Elvis Aaron Presley's many contributions, international recognition and the rich legacy left to the state by Elvis Aaron Presley.

Hernando de Soto Day - May 8 - in recognition, observation and commemoration of Hernando de Soto, who led the first and most imposing expedition ever made by Europeans into the wilds of North America and the State of Mississippi, and in further recognition of the Spanish explorer's 187-day journey from the Tombigbee River basin on our state's eastern boundary, westward to the place of discovery of the Mississippi River on May 8, 1541. 

State Statutes:  (Source of Universal Citation)

Mississippi Code: Title 3: Chapter 3 - State Boundaries, Holidays, and State Emblems: § 3-3-7. Legal holidays

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, the following are declared to be legal holidays, viz: the first day of January (New Year's Day); the third Monday of January (Robert E. Lee's birthday and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday); the third Monday of February (Washington's birthday); the last Monday of April (Confederate Memorial Day); the last Monday of May (National Memorial Day and Jefferson Davis' birthday); the fourth day of July (Independence Day); the first Monday of September (Labor Day); the eleventh day of November (Armistice or Veterans' Day); the day fixed by proclamation by the Governor of Mississippi as a day of Thanksgiving, which shall be fixed to correspond to the date proclaimed by the President of the United States (Thanksgiving Day); and the twenty-fifth day of December (Christmas Day). In the event any holiday hereinbefore declared legal shall fall on Sunday, then the next following day shall be a legal holiday.

In lieu of any one (1) legal holiday provided for in subsection (1) of this section, with the exception of the third Monday in January (Robert E. Lee's and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday) and the eleventh day of November (Armistice or Veterans Day), the governing authorities of any municipality or county may declare, by order spread upon its minutes, Mardi Gras Day or any one (1) other day during the year, to be a legal holiday.

August 16 is declared to be Elvis Aaron Presley Day in recognition and appreciation of Elvis Aaron Presley's many contributions, international recognition and the rich legacy left to us by Elvis Aaron Presley. This day shall be a day of recognition and observation and shall not be recognized as a legal holiday.

May 8 is declared to be Hernando de Soto Day in recognition, observation and commemoration of Hernando de Soto, who led the first and most imposing expedition ever made by Europeans into the wilds of North America and the State of Mississippi, and in further recognition of the Spanish explorer's 187-day journey from the Tombigbee River basin on our state's eastern boundary, westward to the place of discovery of the Mississippi River on May 8, 1541. This day shall be a day of commemoration, recognition and observation of Hernando de Soto and European exploration and shall not be recognized as a legal holiday.

Armistice Day (Veterans Day) shall be observed by appropriate exercises in all the public schools in the State of Mississippi. The superintendent of schools of each public school district is authorized to provide for the appearance of uniformed military personnel, uniformed veterans or the families of fallen military personnel/veterans at such public school exercises in honor of Armistice (Veterans) Day. The superintendent of schools is also authorized to permit the school band and its director(s) at any public school in the district to perform at Armistice (Veterans) Day exercises in the school district upon the request of public officials or veterans associations without loss of any program credit by participating students and without loss of leave by participating school personnel.

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. 

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