Full Breakdown
Memorial Day 2026: What’s Open and What’s Closed
5/25/2026, 12:09:44 PM
Historical Background
Originally called “Decoration Day,” the holiday began in the 1860s to honor Civil-War dead and now commemorates all U.S. service members who died in combat.
Retail and Grocery Landscape
National retailers such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, IKEA and TJ Maxx will be open. Grocery chains including Kroger, Food Lion, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Whole Foods and H-EB will also be open, though pharmacy hours may vary. Sam’s Club and BJ’s will operate with modified hours; Costco will be closed.
Financial, Postal, and Shipping Services
Banks—including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, CitiBank, JPMorgan Chase and regional credit unions—will be closed; ATMs and online banking stay available. The NYSE and Nasdaq will not trade on May 25, and the bond market closed early on May 22. USPS will not deliver mail or serve retail customers. UPS will suspend pickups and deliveries, with many UPS Store locations possibly closed. FedEx will limit most services, though FedEx Custom Critical will run 24/7.
Official Statements & Responses
The Department of Veterans Affairs describes Memorial Day as the nation’s foremost day to honor fallen service members. The Federal Reserve designates the day a bank holiday, prompting nationwide branch closures. The U.S. Postal Service lists the day as a holiday, halting regular mail service. UPS and FedEx have issued advisories confirming limited operations. Financial exchanges have announced market closures in line with the federal holiday.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Pharmacy and clinic hours are listed as “may vary,” and UPS Store status is described as “may be closed,” leaving exact availability uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women.” — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- “Most national retailers, grocery stores and restaurant chains will be open on Memorial Day, however banks and post offices will be closed.” — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY reporter
- “Costco will not be an option for shoppers on Memorial Day this year, as the company's website says warehouses will be closed on May 25 in observance of the holiday.” — Costco
- “UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Memorial Day.” — UPS
What’s Next
Seven more federal holidays follow in 2026, each with similar closure patterns.
