Does Powerball Draw on Holidays? Schedule, Delays & What to Expect

Powerball is one of the most widely played lottery games in the United States, drawing millions of participants each week hoping for a life-changing win. While most people know that Powerball drawings occur three times a week, a common question arises during certain times of the year: Does Powerball draw on holidays?

In this article, we’ll break down the regular Powerball drawing schedule, what happens when major U.S. holidays fall on draw nights, how delays are handled, and where you can get the latest updates in real time.

Does the Schedule Change on Holidays?

Powerball drawings are held on a consistent schedule and are rarely affected by external circumstances. However, during major U.S. holidays, many players wonder if there will still be a drawing or if the schedule will shift.

The short answer: Powerball drawings typically continue on holidays. However, in rare instances, like Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, a drawing may be delayed but not canceled. In such cases, Powerball provides official notifications to inform players.

If you’ve purchased a ticket for a holiday drawing date, don’t worry, your ticket remains valid even if there’s a short delay.

Powerball Drawing Days and Times (Normal Schedule)

Powerball drawings are held three times a week at the same time across the United States:

Monday
Wednesday
Saturday

Each draw takes place at 10:59 PM Eastern Time (ET). This schedule is followed year-round, including most federal and state holidays.

Day	Drawing Time (ET)
Monday	10:59 PM
Wednesday	10:59 PM
Saturday	10:59 PM

Regardless of whether a holiday like Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Thanksgiving falls on a drawing date, the draw is still scheduled unless otherwise announced.

Holiday Exceptions or Delays | When Might Powerball Be Affected?

Although the schedule is usually stable, certain major holidays may impact the draw timing. Drawings are not typically canceled, but in some circumstances, they can be delayed by a few hours or moved to the following day.

Examples of holidays that may cause delays:

Christmas Day (December 25th)
New Year’s Day (January 1st)
Independence Day (July 4th)

For example:

If Christmas Day falls on a Monday, the drawing might be pushed to Tuesday, depending on how the day is observed and logistical constraints.
Similarly, if New Year’s Day coincides with a draw, the drawing may be rescheduled for the next day, especially if the holiday impacts studio operations or broadcasting partners.

These delays are infrequent and are handled with clear communication from the Powerball organization.

How are players notified?

In the case of a reschedule, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) or individual state lotteries will issue an official notice via:

Powerball
State lottery websites
Media outlets
Social media
Retailers

What Happens If the Drawing Is Delayed?

If a drawing is delayed due to a holiday or unforeseen technical issues, here’s what players need to know:

The drawing is not canceled

Powerball does not skip a drawing. If there’s a delay, the draw is simply moved to the next available day, often just 24 hours later.

Your ticket remains valid

There’s no need to repurchase or re-validate your ticket. Tickets sold for that drawing will still count, even if the drawing takes place a day late.

Results are published after the delayed draw

Once the draw is completed, whether on schedule or rescheduled, the results are posted promptly across all official platforms.

Jackpot rollovers are unaffected

A delayed drawing does not impact the jackpot progression. If there’s no winner, the prize simply rolls over as usual.

Where to Check for Powerball Drawing Updates

If you’re unsure whether a drawing will take place as scheduled, especially during a holiday week, it’s best to consult official sources rather than rely on third-party rumors or social media speculation.

Your go-to sources:

Powerball: The official site for draw confirmations, delays, and live result postings.
Your State Lottery Website: Each state’s lottery commission provides up-to-date info on local ticket sales, draw times, and any schedule adjustments.
Retail Lottery Locations: Many lottery retailers post signs or alerts if there’s a change in draw time.
Our Blog: Stay tuned to this site for real-time Powerball updates, delay notices, winning number announcements, and more.

Related Powerball Resources

Need more information? These related posts will help you stay on top of every Powerball drawing:

Bookmark these links so you can check the drawing schedule, ticket cutoff times, and results quickly, even during busy holiday weeks.

FAQ

Q: Is there a Powerball drawing on Christmas Day?

A: Usually, Powerball holds drawings even on major holidays. However, if Christmas Day falls on a scheduled draw date (like Monday), the drawing may be delayed by 24 hours. Powerball will always provide an official announcement.

Q: Will Powerball be delayed if there’s a holiday?

A: Possibly. Most holidays don’t affect the drawing schedule, but on rare occasions, like New Year’s Day or July 4th, the drawing may be delayed by a day. Always check Powerball.com or your local lottery commission for official updates.

Conclusion

To summarize:

Powerball drawings are held three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET.
The vast majority of drawings happen as scheduled, even on holidays.
Occasional delays may occur on major trains. holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, or Independence Day
If a delay occurs, the draw is rescheduled, tickets remain valid, and official updates are issued.

Whether it’s a holiday or not, make sure you:

Buy your ticket before the cutoff time
Check official sources for the draw time
Visit us regularly for all Powerball news and results