Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25. Most major retailers and many grocery stores and restaurants will stay open, but banks and post offices will close, and the stock market will not trade.
Flags were placed at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, a reminder that the day isn’t just another long pause on the calendar. For shoppers and diners, though, Monday, May 25 also brings a familiar question: what’s open, and what isn’t?
Thousands of flags honor fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery as Memorial Day arrives. This year, the holiday is Monday, May 25. Memorial Day is the nation’s “foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. ” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The observance, originally called “Decoration Day,” dates back to the 1860s.
Before heading out, it’s still wise to check local hours online, since hours and closures can vary by location.
The quick guide is straightforward: most national retailers, grocery stores, and restaurant chains plan to stay open. Banks and post offices won’t. The stock market is also closed.
Memorial Day 2026 date
Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May. In 2026, it falls on May 25.
Banks and post offices
Memorial Day is a U.S. Postal Service holiday, meaning mail won’t be delivered and post offices will be closed for retail transactions on May 25.
UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services won’t be available on Memorial Day. UPS Store locations may be closed, and FedEx Office hours will be modified, based on company guidance.
Because Memorial Day is a federal holiday, most bank branches will be closed on May 25. Consumers are advised to check with their local branch for specific holiday hours.
Stock market and bond market
The United States stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 25. The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will remain closed Monday and reopen Tuesday, May 26.
The U.S. bond market closed early at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, and will remain closed on Memorial Day.
Grocery stores
Most grocery chains are expected to stay open under their regular operating hours on May 25.
Kroger says its stores will be open regular hours, though pharmacy and clinic hours may vary.
Walmart and Food Lion confirmed their stores will be open regular hours on the holiday.
Other grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s, Meijer, Publix, and Whole Foods, have traditionally been open on Memorial Day, but the guidance is consistent across chains: check with your local store for specific holiday hours.
Wholesale clubs
Sam’s Club warehouses will open at 8 a.m. for Plus members and 9 a.m. for Club members, and will close at 8 p.m., according to the company’s website.
BJ’s warehouses will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Costco warehouses will be closed on Memorial Day, according to the company’s website.
Restaurants
Most restaurant chains will remain open on Memorial Day, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin, and Wendy’s, among others.
Still, restaurant hours can be location-specific, so the practical step is to check the company app or the hours for your nearest location.
Retail stores
Most national retailers will stay open on May 25. That includes Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, IKEA, Target, TJ Maxx, and Bass Pro Shop, among others.
As with restaurants, store hours can differ by location, so checking the company app or local listing is the safest move.
Where it leaves consumers on Monday is clear: if you need food, shopping, or a meal out, major chains generally plan to run. If you need to mail something, drop by a post office, send packages through UPS or FedEx, visit a bank branch, or check stock prices, Memorial Day will feel very different.
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So the post office is closed Monday? Great, just when I need to mail something.
Wait, UPS and FedEx don’t pick up on Memorial Day? I thought those guys were 24/7 like always. Guess I should have checked sooner. Also banks closed… so no cash? lol
Arlington flags already, so like are they doing the parade too? I saw something about flags at every grave and assumed the stock market would also close (like automatically) even though it says it won’t trade. My brain is mixing all the holidays together.
Memorial Day is Monday May 25 but I swear it changes every year, like it always tricks people. Banks and post offices closed, stock market closed, got it. But why would UPS Store locations be closed if you can just drop stuff in a mailbox? Confusing. I’m just gonna go anyway and see what happens.