[Shopping Tips] What's Open and Closed on National Holidays? The Complete Guide
What's Open and Closed on National Holidays? The Complete Guide
It's a holiday. You need to mail a package, run to the bank, pick up groceries, and drop off a prescription. But you have no idea what's open and what's closed. Sound familiar? This guide covers every major national holiday and surprise closing so you never waste a trip again.
Why Is This So Confusing?
You'd think it would be simple — it's a holiday, things are either open or closed. But it's actually surprisingly complicated because:
- Federal holidays close government offices and banks — but NOT most stores
- Some holidays are federal — some are not
- Some stores close voluntarily even when they don't have to
- Hours vary by location — the same chain store may be open in one city and closed in another
- New holidays keep being added — President Trump declared May 8 a new national holiday in 2025 to commemorate the end of World War II — which caused widespread confusion about what was open and closed that day.
The result? People drive to the bank on Presidents' Day and find it locked. They try to mail a package on Labor Day and the post office is dark. They run to Costco on Memorial Day and find an empty parking lot. They go to Target on Easter and find it completely closed while Walmart next door is fully open.
This guide fixes all of that.
The Golden Rule — Know This First
Before anything else understand this one simple rule:
Federal holidays close government offices and banks. They do NOT automatically close stores, restaurants, or pharmacies.
So on any federal holiday:
- 🔴 Banks — CLOSED
- 🔴 Post office — CLOSED
- 🔴 Government offices — CLOSED
- 🔴 Stock market — CLOSED
- 🟢 Walmart, Target, most stores — OPEN
- 🟢 Restaurants — mostly OPEN
- 🟢 Gas stations — OPEN
- ⚠️ Costco — ALWAYS CLOSED on federal holidays — no exceptions
The 11 Federal Holidays in 2026
These are the official days when banks, post offices, and government offices are closed:
- New Year's Day — January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19
- Presidents' Day — February 16
- Memorial Day — May 25
- Juneteenth — June 19
- Independence Day — July 4
- Labor Day — September 7
- Columbus Day — October 12
- Veterans Day — November 11
- Thanksgiving Day — November 26
- Christmas Day — December 25
Note: When a holiday falls on Saturday — it's observed the Friday before. When it falls on Sunday — it's observed the Monday after.
Always Closed on Federal Holidays — No Exceptions
Save this list:
- 🔴 All banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Capital One, PNC
- 🔴 All post offices — no mail pickup or delivery
- 🔴 UPS and FedEx regular service — emergency services only
- 🔴 Stock market — NYSE and Nasdaq
- 🔴 Social Security offices
- 🔴 DMV offices
- 🔴 Courts and government buildings
- 🔴 Costco — every federal holiday without exception
Almost Always Open on Federal Holidays
These stay open on most federal holidays — though hours may vary by location:
- 🟢 Walmart
- 🟢 Target
- 🟢 CVS stores — but check pharmacy hours separately
- 🟢 Walgreens stores — but most pharmacies closed
- 🟢 Home Depot
- 🟢 Lowe's
- 🟢 Most grocery stores — Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Whole Foods
- 🟢 Gas stations
- 🟢 McDonald's, Starbucks, most fast food chains
Holiday by Holiday — What's Open and What's Closed
🎉 New Year's Day — January 1
Banks, post offices and major stock exchanges are all closed to observe the federal holiday. However most major retailers will be open although it's best to check ahead as some may be operating with reduced hours.
✅ Open: Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Home Depot, Best Buy, McDonald's, Starbucks, most restaurants ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, UPS, FedEx, Costco, Trader Joe's, ALDI, stock market
Golden tip: Do your banking and mailing by December 31 — don't wait until January 2nd to realize you needed something done.
✊ Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19
A federal holiday that surprises many people because most stores stay completely open.
✅ Open: Walmart, Target, most grocery stores, most restaurants, most pharmacies ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, government offices, Social Security offices, stock market
Most people don't realize schools are also closed on MLK Day — plan childcare accordingly!
🏛️ Presidents' Day — February 16
One of the most confusing holidays because many people don't realize banks are closed while almost every store is open and running sales.
✅ Open: Most major retailers, grocery stores, restaurants. Many stores run Presidents' Day sales — great day to shop for appliances, mattresses, and electronics ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, government offices, stock market
Real person tip: "I showed up at my bank on Presidents' Day not realizing it was closed. Now I always check the federal holiday list before making bank trips."
🐣 Easter Sunday — NOT a Federal Holiday But Be Careful!
This is one of the most surprising shopping days of the year — and it catches people off guard every single time.
Easter Sunday is NOT a federal holiday — which means banks and post offices are actually open. But many major stores close anyway by their own choice — and the biggest surprise is how inconsistent it is. One major store will be completely closed while the one right next door is fully open.
Target closed all of their stores on Easter Sunday 2025 — while their biggest competitors Walmart and Fred Meyer stayed open and operating on regular hours.
Closed on Easter 2025:
- ❌ Target — closed all locations nationwide
- ❌ Costco
- ❌ Sam's Club
- ❌ Aldi
- ❌ Publix
- ❌ TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods
- ❌ Lowe's
- ❌ Macy's, Kohl's, JCPenney
Open on Easter 2025:
- ✅ Walmart — regular hours
- ✅ Kroger
- ✅ Trader Joe's
- ✅ Food Lion
- ✅ Home Depot
- ✅ Bass Pro Shop
- ✅ CVS and Walgreens stores
Golden tip: Easter Sunday is one of the trickiest days to plan errands. Don't assume your usual stores are open — always check the night before. Google Maps shows holiday hours for each specific location.
🎖️ Memorial Day — Last Monday in May
Memorial Day is a federal holiday. That means post offices will be closed and regular mail delivery is paused for the day. Banks are also closed. Major players like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Capital One, PNC and Truist are all taking the day off.
While most retailers will be open Costco locations nationwide will be closed.
✅ Open: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, most grocery stores, most restaurants, CVS, Walgreens ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, Costco, government offices, stock market, UPS regular service, FedEx regular service
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year — expect major sales at most retailers!
✊ Juneteenth — June 19
A newer federal holiday that many people still don't know about. Added in 2021 and now fully observed everywhere.
✅ Open: Most major retailers, grocery stores, restaurants ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, government offices, federal offices, stock market
Many people are still caught off guard by this one — save it in your calendar so you're not surprised!
🎆 Independence Day — July 4
One of the most celebrated holidays — but also one of the most variable for store hours.
✅ Open: Most grocery stores open with reduced hours, gas stations, many restaurants especially those with outdoor seating ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, government offices, stock market, many stores close early or have reduced hours
Golden tip: Grocery stores are VERY busy the day before July 4th as people stock up for cookouts. Shop July 2nd or 3rd to beat the crowds.
👷 Labor Day — First Monday in September
Nearly every nonessential state and federal government office will be closed on Labor Day.
Most major retailers like Walmart and Target will operate normally on Labor Day. Home Depot will also be open. Walgreens stores will follow regular hours but most pharmacies will be closed. CVS stores and pharmacies will remain open but hours may vary by location.
✅ Open: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, most grocery stores, CVS stores, Walgreens stores, most restaurants ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, Costco, government offices, stock market, most pharmacies
Labor Day weekend is the last big sale weekend of summer — excellent time to shop for back to school items, outdoor furniture, and appliances.
🗺️ Columbus Day — October 12
One of the most misunderstood holidays. Many private businesses stay completely open.
✅ Open: Most major retailers including Target, grocery stores, restaurants, most pharmacies ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, federal government offices, stock market
Target generally does not observe Columbus Day as a full-day closure — so you can shop freely on this day.
Note: Some states observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day — either way banks and post offices are closed.
🎖️ Veterans Day — November 11
Often confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day honors all veterans — living and deceased.
✅ Open: Most major retailers, grocery stores, restaurants. Many offer Veterans Day discounts for active military and veterans — always ask! ❌ Closed: Banks, post office, government offices, stock market
Golden tip: If you or a family member is a veteran — check which restaurants and stores offer free meals and discounts on Veterans Day. Many chains including Applebee's, IHOP, and Olive Garden offer free meals to veterans every year.
🦃 Thanksgiving Day — Fourth Thursday in November
The holiday with the most change in recent years — far fewer stores open than in the past.
The majority of the nation's largest retailers keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving. Walmart, Target, Aldi, Trader Joe's and many regional grocers are all closed — limiting options for last minute holiday shopping.
✅ Open: Whole Foods with limited hours, some grocery stores like Albertsons and Kroger with limited hours, McDonald's and most fast food chains, some Starbucks locations, Bass Pro Shop ❌ Closed: Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Macy's, most major retailers, banks, post office, stock market
Target has permanently closed on Thanksgiving since 2020 — what started as a pandemic measure became a permanent company policy to give employees time with their families.
Real person tip: "Went to Walmart on Thanksgiving evening to get a jump on Black Friday deals — it was completely closed. Check before you go — it's not like it used to be."
🎄 Christmas Day — December 25
Nearly all grocery and retail chains will be closed and that will also be the case for banks, post offices and shipping services.
✅ Open: Gas stations, some convenience stores, some Chinese restaurants, some movie theaters, some pharmacies for emergencies ❌ Closed: Almost everything — Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, Sam's Club, Aldi, Publix, Meijer, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Kohl's, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Macy's, JCPenney, IKEA, Barnes & Noble, PetSmart, Petco — banks, post office, UPS, FedEx, stock market
Christmas is the one day a year that most of America truly shuts down. Plan ahead and get everything you need by December 24th.
The One Store That's ALWAYS Closed on Federal Holidays
If there's one thing to remember from this entire guide it's this:
Costco is closed on EVERY single federal holiday — plus Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. No exceptions. Ever.
Many people have made the mistake of going to Costco on a holiday only to find an empty parking lot. Save yourself the trip — when in doubt Costco is closed.
What About Pharmacies on Holidays?
This is one of the most important things to know — especially for people who take daily medications.
The rule for pharmacies:
- The store itself may be open — but the pharmacy inside may be closed
- Always call ahead to verify pharmacy hours separately from store hours
- 24-hour CVS and Walgreens locations keep their pharmacies open on most holidays
- If you run out of medication on a holiday — call your nearest 24-hour pharmacy first
Golden tip: Never let your prescription run low going into a holiday weekend. Refill at least 3-4 days before any federal holiday just in case.
How to Quickly Check Hours Before You Go
Here's the fastest way to check if a specific location is open on any given day:
- Google the store name — example type "Target near me"
- Click on the specific location
- Check the hours listed — Google often shows holiday hours automatically
- Or call the store directly using the number listed on Google Maps
For banks specifically:
- Most banking can be done through your bank's app or ATM even when branches are closed
- Deposits, transfers, and bill payments all work normally through mobile banking on holidays
💡 Golden Tips From Real People
"I put every federal holiday in my phone calendar with a reminder the day before." Set a reminder the day before each federal holiday — "Tomorrow is [holiday] — plan accordingly!" This simple habit saves countless wasted trips.
"I always check Google Maps hours before going anywhere on a holiday." Google Maps shows holiday hours for most stores and businesses. Before any holiday trip — search the location on Google Maps and check the hours listed for that specific day.
"Easter got me — Target was closed while Walmart was open." One of the most common surprises people report. Easter is not a federal holiday but Target closes anyway while Walmart stays open. Always verify before making a trip on Easter Sunday.
"Costco has burned me three times on holidays. Never again." Costco is closed on every single federal holiday plus Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. Write it down, put it in your phone, tell your family.
"The pharmacy was closed even though the CVS store was open." Real people constantly make this mistake. The store and the pharmacy inside have different hours — especially on holidays. Always call the pharmacy directly to verify.
"I do all my banking and mailing the Friday before a holiday weekend." The smartest approach. Treat the Friday before a holiday Monday as your last chance day for banking, mailing, and government-related tasks.
The Quick Holiday Reference Card — Save This!
| What You Need | Federal Holiday | Easter | Thanksgiving | Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | ❌ Closed | ✅ Open | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Post Office | ❌ Closed | ✅ Open | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Walmart | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Target | ✅ Open | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Costco | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Home Depot | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| CVS Store | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ⚠️ Check |
| Pharmacy | ⚠️ Check | ⚠️ Check | ⚠️ Check | ⚠️ Check |
| Gas Station | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Open |
| McDonald's | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Open |
⚠️ = Call ahead to verify
Have you ever shown up somewhere on a holiday and found it unexpectedly closed? Share your experience in the comments — and if you have a tip that helps others plan better I'd love to hear it!
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