Gov. Little follows Trump, puts Idaho on holiday rest of the week. What's open?

Shannon Tyler and Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman on Dec 24, 2025

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Federal employees were given two additional days off this week after President Donald Trump designated Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas federal holidays.

This week, Gov. Brad Little followed suit for Idaho state workers.

But not everyone has the rest of the week off. Many local governments, including Ada County and the city of Boise, are keeping to their regular schedule — meaning Christmas Day off, but working Friday.

Trump — who this year went on a rant on Juneteenth and said there are too many nonworking holidays for people — signed an executive order last week designating Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 as federal holidays just for 2025, extending to all nonessential workers.

On Monday, Little signed a similar order and designated the two days as paid holidays for state employees.

According to the governor’s notice, obtained by the Idaho Statesman, state offices will be closed to the public, excluding agencies that maintain critical services, such as correctional facilities and public safety.

“Governor Little is honored to offer this time so state employees may rest, reflect, celebrate, worship, and create meaningful memories with family and loved ones,” the letter reads. “We are deeply grateful for their service and wish them a joyful and peaceful Christmas.”

What offices are closed this week?

Several departments have posted online that their offices will be closed through Dec. 26, including the Idaho Transportation Department, Department of Fish and Game, and Department of Health and Welfare offices.

The transportation department stated its road alert website 511.idaho.gov is still in operation during these times.

Counties and municipalities have the authority to continue as regularly scheduled, limit hours or opt into the designated holidays.

According to Ada County communication manager Elizabeth Duncan, the county’s commissioners did not add any holidays to 2025, so most offices will remain open. But, the Ada County Clerk’s Office, which works with the Idaho state courts system, will be closed Friday.

A spokesperson for the city of Boise, Maria Weeg, told the Statesman that the city’s departments are also open Friday.

What about the courts?

Idaho state courts will largely be closed the rest of the week, according to the state’s judicial branch, but some proceedings are still occurring.

Nate Poppino, a spokesperson for the state’s court system, told the Statesman that a number of courts still plan to conduct arraignments or initial hearings for anyone arrested over the next few days. That way someone arrested could possibly appear in front of a judge before the weekend.

Since the Wednesday and Friday were designated as holidays, it’s not a requirement that courts throughout the state have to remain open for arraignments, according to state administrative rules, but larger courthouses — such as Ada County’s — conducted arraignments Wednesday and plan to conduct them on Friday as well.

How about if you’ve got a fine to pay? Any payment due to a state court on Wednesday or Friday can be made on Monday, Dec. 29, without any penalty, officials said.

Is the Post Office closed?

Still waiting for a holiday package to arrive? It may not get delivered on Christmas Day, but the U.S. Postal Service isn’t halting Friday delivery.

USPS is an independent agency, so it is not affected by the executive or state order, and the Boise office is scheduled to be open Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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(Reporter Kevin Fixler contributed.)