State of Montana Holidays & Observances

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

Montana State Day: November 8
Became the 41st State to join the Union that makes up our Nation.

For a complete State by State listing, click here

Montana Official State Holidays 

List of Montana 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

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day - the second Monday in October

Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

State general election day

Montana Special Observances

Arbor Day - last Friday in April

Bill of Rights Day - December 15

American Indian Heritage Day - last Friday in September 

State Teen Driver Safety Day - 3rd Tuesday in October 

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day - March 30 

Juneteenth National Freedom Day - 3rd Saturday in June

State Statutes:  (Source Montana State Government Website)

Montana Code Annotated: 1-1-216. Legal holidays and business days

1-1-216. Legal holidays and business days. (1) The following are legal holidays in the state of Montana:

(a) Each Sunday;

(b) New Year's Day, January 1;

(c) Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January;

(d) Lincoln's and Washington's Birthdays, the third Monday in February;

(e) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;

(f) Independence Day, July 4;

(g) Labor Day, the first Monday in September;

(h) Columbus Day, the second Monday in October;

(i) Veterans' Day, November 11;

(j) Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November;

(k) Christmas Day, December 25;

(l) State general election day.

(2) (a) If any of the holidays in subsection (1)(b) through (1)(l) fall on a Sunday, the Monday following is a holiday.

(b) If any of the holidays in subsection (1)(b) through (1)(l) fall on a Saturday, the Friday preceding is a holiday.

(c) All other days are business days.

1-1-225. Arbor Day as official day of observance. (1) To increase public awareness of the vital importance of conserving and propagating trees and forests to the everyday life of Montana citizens, the last Friday in April is designated Arbor Day and an official day of observance. On this day, there may be special observances and exercises throughout the state to celebrate and emphasize the importance of cultivating forest, fruit, and ornamental trees.

(2) The governor shall encourage the observances and exercises described in this section and, by proclamation, call the public's attention to the importance of the state's forest resources.

1-1-227. Bill of rights day. There is established a bill of rights day for the state of Montana. The bill of rights day is December 15 of each year to commemorate the day in 1791 in which three-fourths of the states ratified the bill of rights as part of the U.S. constitution.

1-1-228. American Indian heritage day. There is established an American Indian heritage day for the state of Montana. American Indian heritage day is the last Friday in September of each year and is recognized as a day of observance to commemorate this state's American Indians and their valued heritage and culture. On this day, all Montanans are urged to:

(1) reflect on American Indian culture and heritage; and

(2) celebrate American Indians and their culture and heritage in all lawful ways.

1-1-229. State teen driver safety day. (1) To increase public awareness and promote teen driver safety, the third Tuesday in October is designated as teen driver safety day and is an official day of observance.

(2) All Montanans are encouraged to participate in special observances and exercises throughout the state on this day in order to educate teens about the fatal consequences of distractions while driving and to promote teen driver safety. The governor and the office of public instruction may officially recognize and encourage the observances and exercises described in this section.

1-1-230. Welcome home Vietnam veterans day. There is established a welcome home Vietnam veterans day for the state of Montana. The welcome home Vietnam veterans day is March 30 of each year and commemorates the day in 1973 when all combat units and combat support units arrived home from the former South Vietnam.

1-1-231. Juneteenth national freedom day. The third Saturday in June is designated as Juneteenth national freedom day to commemorate African-American emancipation from slavery, to celebrate the freedom won by people in many countries, and to rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty.

1-1-232. Montana prescription drug take-back day. (1) The day in October designated as national prescription drug take-back day is designated as Montana prescription drug take-back day in order to provide an annual day for citizens to properly dispose of unused and unneeded prescription drugs, to raise awareness about the consequences of failure to properly dispose of prescription drugs, and to educate citizens on proper methods of prescription drug disposal.

(2) On this day, local communities, businesses, and other entities throughout the state are encouraged to coordinate on special exercises to emphasize the importance of proper prescription drug use and disposal.

(3) Observances and exercises described in this section need not be limited solely to prescription drugs.

(4) The governor and attorney general may officially recognize and encourage the observances and exercises described in this section.

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!