Christmas Day in American Samoa
Christmas Day falls on December 25 and is listed as a public holiday in American Samoa. Local law also provides paid holiday treatment for government employees, with separate rules for observing holidays that fall on their days off.[1][2][3]
Meaning and background
Christmas is a Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus. In American Samoa, territorial law lists Christmas alongside other public holidays.[7][1]
Fa’asamoa, or the Samoan way, is a living framework of customs and social values in American Samoa, emphasising family, community and respect. Visitors should follow local guidance at village and family gatherings; Christmas does not have a single routine for everyone.[5]
Public holiday and paid leave
American Samoa’s code names December 25 as Christmas and includes it among the territory’s public holidays. A separate regulation lists Christmas Day as a paid holiday for agency employees. The code on paid holidays further says public holidays are paid holidays for government employees; a government employee required to work on one receives an additional day’s pay in lieu of the holiday.[1][2][3]
These provisions establish paid-holiday treatment for government employees. Private employers, shops, banks and transport providers should be contacted directly about their schedules.[2][3][8]
Weekend observance
The employee observance regulation applies specific rules to workers whose workweek is Monday through Friday: a holiday falling on Saturday is observed on the preceding Friday, and one falling on Sunday is observed on the following Monday. For employees with other work schedules, a holiday falling on a scheduled day off is observed on their first workday after that day off.[4]
The holiday remains identified in the code as December 25. The regulation does not provide a substitute date for every resident or private workplace.[1][4]
Local observance and practical planning
The village of Matu’u is known as “Yellow Town” during the festive season because of its yellow Christmas lights. The lights are a recurring village feature.[6]
The American Samoa Visitors Bureau lists December 25 as Christmas Day and closes its information centre on public holidays. Confirm hours with each shop, bank or transport service you plan to use.[8]
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas Day a public holiday in American Samoa?
Yes. The territorial code lists December 25, Christmas, among American Samoa’s public holidays.[1]
Who receives paid leave?
What happens when Christmas falls on a weekend?
For Monday-to-Friday employees, a Saturday holiday is observed on the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday on the following Monday. Employees with other schedules observe a holiday on their first workday after a scheduled day off.[4]
Are shops, banks, and transport services open?
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in American Samoa:
- 1.0501 Public holidays.- American Samoa Bar Association
- 4.2403 Holidays-Designated-Proclamation.- American Samoa Bar Association
- 7.1205 Paid holidays.- American Samoa Bar Association
- 4.2404 Holidays-Days observed.- American Samoa Bar Association
- People- National Park Service, National Park of American Samoa
- Matu’u- American Samoa Visitors Bureau
- Today in History - December 25- Library of Congress
- General Information- American Samoa Visitors Bureau