Holidays

The university observes 12 paid holidays each year and grants a personal holiday to eligible employees. Review the drop down menus below for more detailed information on the UA paid holiday schedule.

Benefit-Eligible Employees
Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible to receive holiday pay. There is no waiting period for new employees - holiday pay is immediately available. If an employee is not in paid status (i.e receiving a $0.00 paycheck) during the pay period in which a paid holiday falls, the employee will not receive the holiday pay. 


Temporary Employees
Temporary employees are not eligible for holiday pay. 

The university observes 12 holidays each year:

  • New Year's Day (plus one day before or after)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights
  • Friday of Spring Break  
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (plus one day before or after)
  • Labor Day
  • Fall  Break (2 days)
  • Christmas Day (plus one day before or after)

These holidays apply to all eligible employees, except those whose special duties are essential to the safety and security of the university as determined by the Chancellors. Union contracts may also govern holiday observance and pay. If you have questions, please reach out to ua-benefits@alaska.edu

Below is the holiday schedule for FY22, FY23, and FY24. 

Independence Day:
Monday, July 3, 2023 and Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Labor Day:
Monday, September 4, 2023

Fall Break:
Thursday, November 23, 2023 and Friday, November 24, 2023

Winter Holiday:
Monday, December 25, 2023 and Tuesday, December 26, 2023

New Year’s Day:
Monday, January 1, 2024 and Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 15, 2024

Spring Recess:
Friday, March 15, 2024

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 27, 2024

Independence Day:
Thursday, July 4, 2024 and Friday, July 5, 2024

Labor Day:
Monday, September 2, 2024

Fall Break:
Thursday, November 28, 2024 and Friday, November 29, 2024

Winter Holiday:
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 and Wednesday, December 25, 2024

New Year’s Day:
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 20, 2025

Spring Recess:
Friday, March 14, 2025

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 26, 2025

Independence Day:
Thursday, July 3, 2025 and Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day:
Monday, September 1, 2025

Fall Break:
Thursday, November 27, 2025 and Friday, November 28, 2025

Winter Holiday:
Thursday, December 25, 2025 and Friday, December 26, 2025

New Year’s Day:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 and Friday, January 2, 2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 19, 2026

Spring Recess:
Friday, March 13, 2026

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 25, 2026

Independence Day:
Friday, July 3, 2026 and Monday, July 6, 2026

Labor Day:
Monday, September 7, 2026

Fall Break:
Thursday, November 26, 2026 and Friday, November 27, 2026

Winter Holiday:
Thursday, December 24, 2026 and Friday, December 25, 2026

New Year’s Day:
Thursday, December 31, 2026 and Friday, January 1, 2027

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 18, 2027

Spring Recess:
Friday, March 17, 2027

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 31, 2027

Hard Closure
Each year, the university observes a hard closure during the winter break as a cost-savings measure. During hard closure, employees must use their annual leave, faculty time off, or leave without pay. The hard closure dates are typically the 3 business days between the Christmas day and New Year's day holidays. Official hard and soft closure dates are provided each year from Human Resources. Some departments will need to work over the hard closure. Please check with your supervisor regarding your work schedule over the hard closure. 


Soft Closure
Soft closure is observed as well, pending supervisory approval. These are the dates prior to the Christmas day and immediately after the New Years day holidays. 

Benefit-Eligible, Non-Represented Employees
After satisfying the six-month probation period, each benefit-eligible non-represented employee may select a personal holiday which must be approved by the immediate supervisor. The personal holiday cannot be used during the pay period in which July 1 falls. 


Use it or Lose it
The personal holiday does not accrue or carry over into future fiscal years. It must be used in the fiscal year it is awarded in.