Labor Day 2025: Key Dates for the Holiday, the End of Summer, and the First Day of Fall

What Is Labor Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Labor Day is a federal holiday observed each year on the first Monday of September. It was established to honor the contributions of American workers and the progress made through the labor movement. Beyond its historical meaning, Labor Day has also become a cultural marker — often viewed as the symbolic end of summer.

The holiday weekend is celebrated nationwide with parades, community festivals, cookouts, and family gatherings. For many, it’s also the last chance to enjoy beach trips, outdoor events, and backyard barbecues before the transition into the fall season and the return of school routines.

When Is Labor Day in 2025?

In 2025, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1, giving Americans a long three-day weekend beginning Friday, August 29. Since it is a federal holiday, most federal, state, and local government offices will be closed. Businesses, banks, post offices, and the U.S. stock market will also shut down in observance.

Many coastal towns, particularly along the Jersey Shore and Delaware beaches, use the Labor Day weekend to close out their official summer season. Lifeguards are typically on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day, underscoring the weekend’s role as the unofficial boundary of summer fun.

When Does Summer End in 2025?

There are actually two ways to define the end of summer — the meteorological and the astronomical.

• Meteorological summer: For weather and climate records, scientists divide the year into four fixed seasons of three months each. Under this system, summer ends on Sunday, August 31, with meteorological fall beginning Monday, September 1.
• Astronomical summer: Based on Earth’s position relative to the sun, summer continues until the autumnal equinox, which falls on Monday, September 22, 2025.

So while most Americans say goodbye to summer on Labor Day, the season technically lasts a few more weeks.

When Is the First Day of Fall in 2025?

The first official day of fall arrives with the autumnal equinox on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2:19 p.m. Eastern Time. On this day, daylight and nighttime hours are nearly equal, marking the transition into the cooler months ahead.

Looking Ahead: When Does Winter Begin in 2025?

As fall gives way to winter, the next major seasonal shift will be the winter solstice. In 2025, the solstice occurs on Sunday, December 21, at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Time. This day is the shortest of the year in terms of daylight and officially marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.