Memorial Day 2026: What’s open and closed including banks, post offices and retail stores

Most federal, state, and local government offices, including banks and post offices, will be closed on Memorial Day 2026, May 25, while many retail stores and grocery chains will remain open.

Memorial Day 2026, observed on Monday, May 25,, is a federal holiday marking the unofficial start of summer. As a federal holiday, most government offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, courthouses, and libraries, will be closed. Banks, under the Federal Reserve System, will also be closed, though online banking and ATMs will be accessible. The U.S. Postal Service will suspend mail delivery and close its locations for the day. Shipping companies such as UPS and FedEx will have limited or no services, with UPS not offering pickups or deliveries and FedEx only providing critical deliveries.

Retail stores and grocery chains will largely operate on normal hours. Major retailers like Walmart and Target will be open, while Costco will be closed. Grocery stores including Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Publix, and Whole Foods will be open, but shoppers are advised to check local hours. Most nonessential government services and schools will also be closed, with public schools observing the holiday.

Why It Matters

This information is essential for planning travel, errands, and business activities during Memorial Day 2026. Knowing which services are unavailable helps avoid inconvenience, especially for travelers relying on postal or banking services. The closures also impact economic activity, with many businesses closed for the holiday.

Background

Memorial Day, established as a federal holiday in the United States, commemorates fallen military personnel. It has become a day marked by parades, ceremonies, and the unofficial start of summer. Historically, government offices and banks close, while retail and grocery stores often stay open to accommodate holiday shoppers. The holiday’s date, May 25, 2026, falls on a Monday, aligning with the traditional long weekend.

“Most bank branches will be closed on Memorial Day, but online and ATM services remain available.”

— Banking Association spokesperson

“USPS locations will be closed, and no mail delivery will occur on Memorial Day.”

— US Postal Service spokesperson

“Most retail stores will be open, but shoppers should verify local hours, especially for Costco which is closed this year.”

— Retail industry analyst

What Remains Unclear

While most closures are confirmed, some local variations may occur, especially for grocery stores and retailers. It is not yet clear if all regions will follow the standard closures or if some local governments will operate differently.

What’s Next

Next, consumers should verify local store hours and service availability as Memorial Day approaches. Additionally, travel plans will be affected, and post-holiday services will resume the following day, and businesses will update their hours accordingly.

Key Questions

Are banks open on Memorial Day 2026?

No, most bank branches will be closed due to the federal holiday, but online banking and ATMs will remain accessible.

Will the USPS deliver mail on Memorial Day?

No, USPS will suspend mail delivery and close all locations on May 25.

Are grocery stores open on Memorial Day?

Most grocery stores, including Kroger, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, will be open, but it’s recommended to check local hours.

Is retail shopping available on Memorial Day?

Yes, major retailers like Walmart and Target will be open, while Costco will be closed for the holiday.

What government services are closed on Memorial Day?

Most government offices, including DMV, courthouses, and libraries, will be closed, along with federal and state courts and most public schools.

Source: Google Trends