As the calendar turns to a new year, residents and businesses across the United States need to mark an important date for their schedules. January 1, 2026, which falls on a Thursday, is officially a federal holiday in the United States. This designation triggers a widespread shutdown of key services and institutions nationwide.
What Closes on New Year's Day 2026?
The observance of New Year's Day as a federal holiday means a broad range of public and private services will be unavailable. The closures are comprehensive, affecting government operations, financial services, and mail delivery.
According to the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), all federal government offices will be closed on this day. Employees will enjoy a paid day off, with offices scheduled to reopen for regular business on Friday, January 2, 2026. It's worth noting that this is the first of two federal holidays in January, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed later in the month.
Financial and Market Closures
The financial sector follows the federal holiday schedule closely. Most retail banks across the country will be closed on January 1, 2026, as they typically adhere to the holiday calendar set by the Federal Reserve. However, customers can still access their funds and perform transactions through digital banking platforms, mobile apps, and ATMs, which will remain operational.
In a significant move for investors and traders, major US stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), will also remain shut on New Year's Day. Trading activities will come to a complete halt for the holiday. Markets will operate normally on the preceding day, December 31, 2025, with the NYSE keeping standard hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Bond markets, however, will close early at 2 p.m. ET on that day. Regular trading across all markets will resume on January 2, 2026.
Postal Services and Judicial System
The holiday impact extends to mail and package delivery services. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not deliver regular mail or packages on January 1. Private courier giants UPS and FedEx will also keep their store locations and customer service counters closed, though some limited pickup or drop-off options might be available.
The judicial branch of the government joins the shutdown. All federal courts, encompassing US District and Appellate courts, will be closed. Furthermore, agencies like the Social Security Administration and most other federal offices will not be open for public services.
While the federal mandate applies to government institutions, a large portion of the private sector also observes this holiday. Most private-sector employees can expect to have the day off with pay, though this can vary depending on individual company policies and employment contracts.
Planning ahead is crucial for anyone needing to conduct official business, complete banking transactions, or send urgent mail around the New Year period. Marking these closure dates can help avoid unnecessary inconvenience as the nation celebrates the beginning of 2026.
