New Year’s Day 2026: What’s Open and What’s Closed?

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Wishing you a Happy New Year from everyone at . This year, New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday—meaning banks, government offices, and postal services will be closed across North America, while many retailers, restaurants, and attractions will either adjust their schedules or remain fully open.​

Federal services are among the most directly impacted. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, non-essential federal offices are closed. This includes Social Security Administration field offices, passport agencies, and most administrative government buildings. If you need to conduct business with the IRS or visit a federal building, you’ll have to wait until Friday.​

Financial markets are also taking the day off: major U.S. exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and will be shuttered for the first day of the new year. Schools and public libraries will stay closed, and in most areas, garbage collection will be delayed by one day.​

But what about retail, food, transit, and other services? Here’s a breakdown of what’s open and closed today.​

Mail and delivery services

will not operate on New Year’s Day. Post office locations will be closed, mail won’t be collected from blue collection boxes, and regular deliveries won’t be made. Only Priority Mail Express—a premium, extra-cost service—will still be delivered. USPS operations will resume as normal on Friday, January 2.​

Private carriers are similarly pausing operations. will be closed for New Year’s Day except for its Custom Critical service. won’t offer pickup or delivery on January 1, though UPS Express Critical will remain available for urgent shipments.​

Financial markets

Wall Street is closed for the holiday. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq won’t trade on New Year’s Day, and all U.S. bond markets will be shut down. There will be no pre-market or after-hours sessions. Trading will restart on Friday, January 2, when U.S. exchanges open for their first 2026 session.​

Banks

Most major banks will stay closed to observe the federal holiday. and locations will be closed on New Year’s Day. While some smaller community banks or credit unions may follow suit, mobile banking services and ATMs will remain accessible.​

Retail and grocery

In the private sector, most major retailers will remain open. stores will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and will keep regular hours. will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as will Kohl’s. Macy’s will be open during standard business hours.​

Grocery stores present a mixed picture. Large chains including , Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Safeway will be open, though some may have modified hours. locations will close early at 7 p.m. Warehouse clubs diverge sharply: BJ’s Wholesale Club will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while and Sam’s Club will close entirely.​

Discount grocers are also split. Aldi and Trader Joe’s will stay closed on New Year’s Day. Convenience stores and pharmacies will generally remain open: CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations will be open, though some pharmacy hours may vary by location.​

Home improvement stores will maintain reduced schedules. will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Lowe’s hours will vary by location but typically run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.​

Restaurants

Most fast-food chains will remain operational. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King will have many locations open, though franchisee-run stores may have varying hours. will be open, along with chains like , , Olive Garden, and Chili’s.​