Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday?
The country is nearing the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, forever changed the lives of New Yorkers and people across the country after four commercial airplanes were hijacked and used in attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Each year, Americans honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks and remember the lasting impact of that day.
Communities across New York and the country will hold commemorations and other events to mark the 25th anniversary. But how is Sept. 11 observed at the federal level?
Here’s what to know about the status of Sept. 11 on the federal calendar and how the day will be commemorated
across New York in 2026.
Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday?
No. Sept. 11 is not a federal holiday in the United States.
Sept. 11 is officially designated as Patriot Day, an annual observance established by Congress in 2001. It is also commonly referred to as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. The observance honors those killed in the attacks and encourages Americans to remember and serve their communities.
Because Sept. 11 is not a federal holiday, federal government offices generally remain open, and the day does not automatically mean a day off from work or school. USA.gov lists 12 federal holidays, and Sept. 11 is not among them.
Congress has considered legislation that would make Patriot Day a federal holiday. In 2025, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., introduced the bipartisan Patriot Day Act (H.R. 911), which would add Patriot Day to the list of federal holidays. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to committee.
Do flags fly at half-staff on Sept. 11?
Yes. Federal law provides for an annual presidential proclamation recognizing Patriot Day, and the proclamation calls for U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on Sept. 11.
In the 2025 Patriot Day proclamation, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies and facilities to display the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of the victims of the attacks.
USA.gov notes that the president, a governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order the American flag to be flown at half-staff for national tragedies and other designated occasions.
Here’s what to know about some upcoming commemorations and ceremonies across New York in honor of the 25th anniversary.
NYC 9/11 25th anniversary commemorations and ceremonies
- Commemoration Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, Sept. 11: Families of victims will be invited to attend a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza in New York City, where the names of the 2,983 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the Feb. 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing will be read aloud. The ceremony will include seven moments of silence. The event is not open to the public. Family members can find more information at 911memorial.org. The public can watch the ceremony live at 911memorial.org/live.
- Tribute in Light, Sept. 11: The Tribute in Light, a public art installation featuring two beams of light, will appear in the New York City sky on Sept. 11. Buildings and landmarks across New York also are invited to light up in blue from dusk to dawn.
- Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance, Sept. 6: A memorial gathering will honor Father Mychal Judge, a New York City Fire Department chaplain who died while ministering to firefighters at the World Trade Center. The gathering will be held at the Father Mychal Judge Memorial at West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.
- Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil, Sept. 10: A candlelight vigil honoring the first responders who died on 9/11 will be held at the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance at Maimonides Park in Coney Island at 6 p.m.
- Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, Sept. 11: A memorial will be held at the FDNY Firefighters Memorial to honor the 343 FDNY members who died on 9/11.
- Staten Island Postcards Memorial, Sept. 11: A memorial will be held at the Staten Island Postcards Memorial to honor Staten Island community members who died on 9/11.
- Dawn to Dusk Remembrance at Ten House, Sept. 11: The public can visit FDNY Ten House, located across the street from the World Trade Center site, throughout the day on Sept. 11 to pay their respects. FDNY Ten House is at 124 Liberty St. in Manhattan.
- New York Yankees vs. New York Mets, Sept. 11: The game at Yankee Stadium will be part of a three-game series running Sept. 11-13. The Sept. 11 game will include a 6:30 p.m. ceremony honoring first responders and victims of the attacks.
- FDNY Fire Museum Visit, Sept. 11: The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the FDNY Fire Museum will be held at 11:30 a.m. at 278 Spring St. in Manhattan.
- NYC Still Rising, Sept. 10: A 9/11 charities comedy benefit will be held at Madison Square Garden, featuring Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Pete Davidson, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Josh Johnson, Cipha Sounds and Jon Stewart. Tickets are available through MSG.com.
- NYPD Pipes & Drums 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Concert, Sept. 12: The memorial concert will be held at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Tickets are available through NYPDpipesanddrums.com.
Upstate NY 9/11 25th anniversary commemorations and ceremonies
- Hudson Falls: American Legion Post 574 will hold a 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at the post’s pavilion, 72 Pearl St. For more information, visit villageofhudsonfallsny.gov.
- Albany: The Albany Police Department announced a 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance community volunteer and neighborhood cleanup initiative for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Community members are asked to meet at the Albany Public Library at 8:30 a.m. and bring shovels, gloves and hand tools.
- Rochester: The East Rochester Fire Department will hold a 9/11 25th anniversary event honoring the victims Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the East Rochester Fire Department, 415 Main St.
- Rochester: The New York Legacy of Heroes will hold a 9/11 remembrance ride and concert Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The escorted motorcycle run will depart from Lakeshore Hockey Arena, 123 Ling Road, and end at Barnard Exempts, 410 Maiden Lane. The motorcade will be followed by a 9/11 memorial ceremony, live music, vendors and food and beverage trucks at Barnard Park. Tickets are available at Nyloh.org.
- Rochester: Monroe Community College will hold its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at the Remembrance Monument outside Building 10 at MCC’s Brighton Campus. More information is available at Monroecc.edu.
- Rochester: Eastman School of Music’s Horn Choir will hold a 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Concert Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. The concert will include members of the U.S. Army Field Band and will be held at Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St. More information is available at Esm.rochester.edu.
- Buffalo: The Buffalo Fire Department is selling 25th anniversary commemorative pint glasses for $20, with proceeds going to the WNYIA and the Wall of Gratitude project. Preorders can be made through Square.
- Utica: The 12th annual CNY Memorial Stair Climb will be held Sept. 12 at 7 a.m. at the Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee St., to honor the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
- Buffalo: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run & Walk will be held Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the Bellevue Fire Company, 511 Como Park Blvd. in Cheektowaga. Proceeds support victims and families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. For more information or to register, visit runwalkbuffalo.t2t.org.
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York State. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday? What to know for the 25th anniversary
