Ark. Code Ann. » Title 1 Chapter 05
Arkansas Code Annotated

Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101 (2026)

Official holidays

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. The following days are declared to be the sole official holidays applicable to state government in Arkansas:
    1. New Year's Day — January 1;
    2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday — the third Monday in January;
    3. George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day — the third Monday in February;
    4. Memorial Day — the last Monday in May;
    5. Independence Day — July 4;
    6. Labor Day — the first Monday in September;
    7. Veterans Day — November 11;
    8. Thanksgiving Day — the fourth Thursday in November;
    9. Christmas Eve — December 24;
    10. Christmas Day — December 25; and
    11. An employee's birthday — an employee is granted one (1) holiday to observe his or her birthday.
  2. A holiday falling on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. A holiday falling on a Sunday will be observed on the succeeding Monday.
  3. It is the specific intent of the General Assembly that all state employees shall be entitled to eleven (11) paid holidays per year. The Office of Personnel Management shall promulgate rules and regulations to assure this legislative intent.

History. Acts 1943, No. 211, § 1; 1947, No. 215, § 1; 1955, No. 29, § 1; 1963, No. 216, § 1; 1969, No. 16, § 1; 1971, No. 370, § 1; 1973, No. 664, § 1; 1975, No. 976, §§ 1, 3, 6; 1983, No. 833, § 1; 1985, No. 985, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 69-101, 69-101.1, 69-115; Acts 2001, No. 304, § 1; 2017, No. 561, § 4.

A.C.R.C. Notes. Acts 2017, No. 561, § 6, provided: “Legislative findings — Intent.

“(a) The General Assembly finds that:

“(1) The State of Arkansas has a very proud and distinguished culture and heritage;

“(2) Robust recognition of history in the classroom is a priority; and

“(3) The state should maintain and celebrate its culture and heritage, including our state and national military leaders who are connected to Arkansas or have impacted the course of our state's history.

“(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly by the enactment of this act to maintain an awareness of and celebrate the unique cultural heritage of Arkansas by educating Arkansas youth regarding:

“(1) Historical events of state and national significance;

“(2) The contributions made to the history of this state by military and civilian leaders; and

“(3) The reasons for honoring such historical events and figures through the observance of days designated for their commemoration.”

Amendments. The 2017 amendment, in (a)(2), deleted “and Robert E. Lee's Birthday” following “Jr.'s Birthday”.

Case Notes

Cited: Ouachita Indus., Inc. v. Anderson, 236 Ark. 929, 370 S.W.2d 811 (1963); Deason v. City of Rogers, 247 Ark. 1061, 449 S.W.2d 410 (1970); City of Fort Smith v. Brewer, 255 Ark. 813, 502 S.W.2d 643 (1973).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2014–2014 · leading case: Richardson v. Martin, 2014 Ark. 429 (Ark. 2014).
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Richardson v. Martin, 2014 Ark. 429 (Ark. 2014). · cites it 4× “” In reviewing the plain language of the constitutional provision at issue, and the constitution as a whole, and reading it in the light of other provisions relating to the same subject matter, we may determine what “not less than four months” means pursuant to Amendment 7 by…”
— Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101(a)(5) — 1 case
Richardson v. Martin, 2014 Ark. 429 (Ark. 2014). “” In reviewing the plain language of the constitutional provision at issue, and the constitution as a whole, and reading it in the light of other provisions relating to the same subject matter, we may determine what “not less than four months” means pursuant to Amendment 7 by…”
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