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That of President Donald Trump recent decree turned the post-Christmas crisis into an official extension of the holiday season, designating Friday, December 26, as a federal holiday. While his directive effectively closed federal offices for a rare five-day weekend, the rest of the economy is operating in a state of partial suspension, leading to a confusing situation as to who, exactly, is resuming operations today.
Trump’s executive order, signed last week, closed executive departments and agencies on Christmas Eve and today, December 26. However, unlike holidays established by Congress (such as Christmas Day itself), this executive order applies strictly to the executive branch of the federal government. It is not legally binding on the private sector, states, or even independent federal entities like the Postal Service.
“All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government will be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day before and the day after Christmas Day, respectively,” the order states.
So what does this mean for you? Assuming you’re trying to run errands, manage your finances, or even just visit a local business today, here’s a look at what’s open and closed.
Government offices
The most direct impact concerns federal services. Non-essential federal offices are closed. This includes Social Security Administration field offices, passport agencies, and most government administrative buildings. If you have business with the IRS or need to visit a federal building, you will have to wait until Monday.
Courier and delivery services
Despite the federal shutdown, the U.S. Postal Service is fully operational today. Because the USPS is an independent facility funded largely by postal sales rather than tax credits, it is not bound by closures in the same way as other federal agencies. Mail delivery has resumed its normal pace and postal counters are open.
Private carriers are also returning to the road:
- FedEx is operating as normal, with standard pickup and delivery services active.
- UPS resumed pickup and delivery services after taking Christmas Day off.
Financial markets
Wall Street is open for business. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq returned to a full trading schedule today after a shortened session on Christmas Eve and a full shutdown on Christmas Day. Traders are back at their desks and looking forward to a full day of activity.
Banks
The Federal Reserve is open and processing transactions, which means the backbone of the banking system is active. As a result, most commercial banks, including major chains like Chase, Bank of Americaand Wells Fargo – are open today.
Although some small community banks or credit unions could have chosen to follow the president’s lead and close their doors, the vast majority of financial institutions are operating under normal business hours.
Retail and Grocery
For the private sector, December 26 remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, often referred to as “Boxing Day” in other Commonwealth countries. Large retailers like Walmart, Targetand Best Buy are not only open, but are likely filled with customers making returns and looking for post-holiday clearance deals. Supermarkets and pharmacies also operate according to standard hours.
Bottom line: If your salary comes from a federal executive agency, take advantage of your day off. For everyone else – from postal workers to stockbrokers – it’s almost certainly back to work.
