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 亚色影库 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 FY25, FY26, and FY27. 

Independence Day:

  • Thursday, July 3, 2025
  • Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day:

  • Monday, September 1, 2025

Fall Break:

  • Thursday, November 27, 2025
  • Friday, November 28, 2025

Winter Holiday:

  • Thursday, December 25, 2025
  • Friday, December 26, 2025

New Year鈥檚 Day:

  • Thursday, January 1, 2026
  • Friday, January 2, 2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of 亚色影库 Civil Rights:

  • Monday, January 19, 2026

Spring Recess:

  • Friday, March 13, 2026

Memorial Day:

  • Monday, May 25, 2026

Independence Day:

  • Thursday, July 2, 2026 and Friday, July 3, 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鈥檚 Day:

  • Thursday, December 31, 2026 and Friday, January 1, 2027

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of 亚色影库 Civil Rights:

  • Monday, January 18, 2027

Spring Recess:

  • Friday, March 12, 2027

Memorial Day:

  • Monday, May 31, 2027

Independence Day:

  • Monday, July 5, 2027
  • Tuesday, July 6, 2027

Labor Day:

  • Monday, September 6, 2027

Fall Break:

  • Thursday, November 25, 2027
  • Friday, November 26, 2027

Winter Holiday:

  • Friday, December 24, 2027
  • Monday, December 27, 2027

New Year鈥檚 Day:

  • Friday, December 31, 2027
  • Monday, January 3, 2028

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of 亚色影库 Civil Rights:

  • Monday, January 17, 2028

Spring Recess:

  • Friday, March 17, 2028

Memorial Day:

  • Monday, May 29, 2028

Independence Day:

  • Monday, July 3, 2028
  • Tuesday, July 4, 2028

Labor Day:

  • Monday, September 4, 2028

Fall Break:

  • Thursday, November 23, 2028
  • Friday, November 24, 2028

Winter Holiday:

  • Monday, December 25, 2028
  • Tuesday, December 26, 2028

New Year鈥檚 Day:

  • Monday, January 1, 2029
  • Tuesday, January 2, 2029

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of 亚色影库 Civil Rights:

  • Monday, January 15, 2029

Spring Recess:

  • Friday, March 16, 2029

Memorial Day:

  • Monday, May 28, 2029

Independence Day:

  • Wednesday, July 4, 2029
  • Thursday, July 5, 2029

Labor Day:

  • Monday, September 3, 2029

Fall Break:

  • Thursday, November 22, 2029
  • Friday, November 23, 2029

Winter Holiday:

  • Monday, December 24, 2029
  • Tuesday, December 25, 2029

New Year鈥檚 Day:

  • Monday, December 31, 2029
  • Tuesday, January 1, 2030

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of 亚色影库 Civil Rights:

  • Monday, January 21, 2030

Spring Recess:

  • Friday, March 15, 2030

Memorial Day:

  • Monday, May 27, 2030

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 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.