Memorial Day 2026: Here’s what’s open and closed
FILE-Volunteers with the Americans in Wartime Experience rest inside a World War Two-era M5 Stuart Light Tank during the annual Memorial Day parade, May 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25 and is a day to honor America’s fallen soldiers. It became a federal holiday in 1971 and is observed on the last Monday in May.
The holiday has become one of the biggest retail sales and travel weekends of the year for consumers, with more businesses opting to stay open.
Here’s what is open and closed this year on Memorial Day:
Are Post Offices, UPS, and FedEx open?
The U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Memorial Day, and there will be no mail delivery and all post office locations will be closed.
UPS and FedEx will also be closed for deliveries on Memorial Day, although some UPS stores may be open. It’s best to check with your local store to be sure. UPS Express Critical service will be available.
Are banks open on Memorial Day?
The Federal Reserve is closed on Memorial Day, which means most banks will also be closed. The New York Stock Exchange and stock markets are also closed on Memorial Day.
Are pharmacies open on Memorial Day?
CVS will be open on Memorial Day, but some locations may have altered hours. So, it’s best to check your local CVS for hours of operation.
Walgreens stores will be open. However, 24-hour pharmacies are typically open, while other locations may be closed or have modified hours. You should check your local Walgreens for store hours.
Are grocery and retail stores open?
Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, ALDI will all be open on Memorial Day. Sam’s Club is also open on the holiday, but with modified hours. Costco is one of the few major retailers that closes all warehouses in observance of the holiday.
Most retail stores, including Belk, are also open, but the hours may vary by location. Consumers should check the store's website for specific store hours.
Are restaurants open?
Most restaurants are open on Memorial Day, including The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. But some major chains and locally owned restaurants may operate on adjusted or reduced hours.
What is Memorial Day?
Big picture view:
Memorial Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday of each May.
The backstory:
Though the holiday was established through the Uniforms Holiday Bill in 1968, its origins date as far back as the Civil War. In the 1860s, American civilians began to visit and decorate the gravesites of Union and Confederate soldiers. The springtime act of remembrance was eventually coined Decoration Day.
In 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed Decoration Day to be a national holiday that should be observed on May 30, which fell in line with the blooming of most flowers. Congress officially recognized Decoration Day as a federal holiday in 1938.
Dig deeper:
The holiday got a name change in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the city of Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Five years later, the holiday moved to the last Monday in May through the Uniforms Holiday Bill.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by UPS, FedEx, Federal Reserve, New York Stock Exchange, Target, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s’ website, and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.