Nothing is worse than taking a bus to an office and finding it closed. In the US, what closes on a holiday depends on who runs the place. Here is how to know before you go.
New Year's Day: January 1.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: third Monday in January.
Washington's Birthday (often called Presidents Day): third Monday in February.
Memorial Day: last Monday in May.
Independence Day: July 4.
Labor Day: first Monday in September.
Columbus Day: second Monday in October. Some states and cities call it Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Veterans Day: November 11.
Thanksgiving Day: fourth Thursday in November.
Christmas Day: December 25.
Observed means the day off moves. When a fixed-date holiday falls on a Saturday, federal offices close on the Friday before. When it falls on a Sunday, they close on the Monday after. Example: July 4, 2026 was a Saturday, so federal offices closed on Friday, July 3.
Federal offices: USCIS field offices, Social Security offices, passport agencies and federal courts.
Post office: post offices are closed and regular mail is not delivered. Package services from private companies may still run.
Banks: most banks follow the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) schedule and close on all 11, including Columbus Day and Veterans Day. ATMs, apps and card payments still work, but transfers usually wait until the next business day. One difference: when a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Federal Reserve Banks stay open on the Friday before, so many banks are open that Friday.
What depends on your state
DMV offices, state courts and public schools are run by states and cities. They usually close on the big federal holidays, but not always on all 11. States also have their own holidays. This differs by state; check your state or city website.
Most stores, restaurants, malls and gas stations, often with shorter hours.
Many large stores close on Thanksgiving Day, and most close on Christmas Day. Some pharmacies and convenience stores stay open.
Public transit often runs on a Sunday or holiday schedule.
Before you go: a quick check
Open the place's website or map listing and look for "holiday hours".
For banks, check the bank app or website for the holiday schedule.
Plan around deadlines: a payment or form due on a holiday is often processed the next business day, so send it early.
Booking a DMV or bank visit on Columbus Day or Veterans Day because "stores are open".
Expecting mail on a holiday.
Sending a bank transfer on Friday before a Monday holiday and expecting it Monday. It may arrive Tuesday.