New Federal Holiday Proposed: Easter Monday Set by Lunar Cycle, Not Fixed Date

The Easter Monday Act of 2025 is short, sweet, and highly impactful: it proposes adding a new federal public holiday. If passed, Easter Monday would officially join the list of federal holidays, meaning federal offices would close, postal services would pause, and federal employees would get the day off.

This isn't just about adding a day to the calendar; it’s about how that day is calculated. The bill amends Section 6103(a) of title 5 of the U.S. Code, but the date definition is where things get interesting. Instead of picking a fixed date like July 4th, the bill defines Easter Monday based on a complex astronomical formula: it is the first Monday that happens after the first Sunday that occurs following the full Moon that happens on or after the spring equinox. Yes, you read that right. To figure out when you get the day off, you’ll need to track the moon and the start of spring.

The Astronomical Calendar Conundrum

For most people, the immediate impact is a three-day weekend tied to one of the most widely observed cultural holidays. If you work for the federal government—say, at the VA or the IRS—you get a guaranteed paid day off. For those who celebrate Easter, this provides a much-needed recovery day and extends the holiday weekend, making travel and family gatherings easier. It’s a clear win for federal workers.

However, the complex date calculation introduces a layer of administrative friction. Unlike holidays like Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) or Veterans Day (November 11th), Easter Monday moves every year based on the lunar cycle. For federal agencies, payroll departments, and businesses that rely on federal operations (like banks or large contractors), this means the date needs to be precisely determined and communicated annually. While the calculation is standardized, it’s not exactly intuitive, which could lead to minor scheduling confusion for those who aren't used to tracking the spring equinox and the full moon.

Real-World Ripple Effects

The impact extends beyond just federal employees. When the federal government shuts down, services across the country pause. If you are a small business owner who relies on the postal service for shipping orders, or if you are waiting for a bank transaction to clear, you’ll need to account for this new, moving holiday. For example, a small e-commerce shop owner will now have one more annual date to factor into their shipping timelines, potentially delaying deliveries by a day. Similarly, construction firms with federal contracts will need to adjust their labor schedules.

This bill essentially formalizes a long weekend for millions and recognizes a significant cultural period. The challenge lies in the administrative overhead of managing a holiday that orbits the lunar cycle rather than a fixed calendar date. It’s a good example of how even a simple change—adding a day off—can create small but noticeable ripple effects across the economy that depend on federal scheduling.