WASHINGTON — Memorial Day will be observed across the United States on Monday, May 25, 2026, with federal offices, banks, schools and the U.S. stock market closed for the federal holiday. Select retailers and restaurants will remain open nationwide, while shipping carriers and some major chains will shut their doors.
The holiday honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is celebrated on the last Monday of May.
Schools, banks, government offices and other services nationwide will close in observance of the day. ATMs will remain accessible and limited online banking services may still be available.
The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail on May 25. Post offices across the U.S. will be closed and will reopen with normal delivery on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. UPS and FedEx will also be closed.
Major retailers scheduled to be open include Aldi, with limited hours, along with BJ's Wholesale Club, CVS, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family General, Publix, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger stores. Costco and Natural Grocers will be closed. Some stores will remain open with modified hours, while others will shut their doors entirely.
National restaurant chains including Starbucks, McDonald's and Taco Bell will maintain regular hours. Individually owned franchise locations of national restaurant chains may choose to close.
The holiday originated years after the Civil War and was originally called Decoration Day. For decades, it was celebrated on May 30. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which made Memorial Day an official federal holiday and set its observance for the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is distinct from Veterans Day, which is celebrated on November 11 and recognizes the service of the country's veterans.