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Happy New Year from all your friends Fortune. As you know, New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday in 2026, which means banks, government offices and postal services will be closed across North America, while many retailers, restaurants and attractions will change their hours or open completely.
The most direct impact concerns federal services. Nonessential federal offices are closed, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 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 Friday.
The financial markets will also take time off, the main American stock exchanges, notably the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq closing for the first day of the new year. Schools and public libraries will remain closed and in most places waste collection will be postponed for one day.
But what about the retail landscape? Food, public transport and the rest? Here’s what’s open and closed today.
Courier and delivery services
THE US Postal Service will not operate on New Year’s Day. Post offices will be closed, mail will not be collected in blue collection boxes and regular deliveries will not be made. Only Priority Mail Express, an additional charge service, will be delivered. USPS operations will resume as normal on Friday, January 2.
Private carriers are also suspending their operations. FedEx will be closed for New Year’s Day, with the exception of its Custom Critical service. UPS will not offer pickup or delivery on January 1, although UPS Express Critical service will remain available for urgent shipments.
Financial markets
Wall Street is closed for the holidays. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will not trade on New Year’s Day and all US bond markets will be closed. There will be no pre-market or after-hours showings. Trading will resume on Friday, January 2, when U.S. stock exchanges reopen for the first session of 2026.
Banks
Most major banks will remain closed to celebrate the federal holiday. Bank of America And Wells Fargo locations will be closed on New Year’s Day. Although some small community banks or credit unions may follow suit, mobile banking and ATMs will remain available.
Retail and Grocery
For the private sector, large retailers will remain largely open. Walmart stores will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Target will maintain regular hours. Best buy will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Kohl’s will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Macy’s will be open during regular business hours.
Grocery stores present a mixed picture. Large chains including HooksWhole Foods, Wegmans and Safeway will be open, although some may operate with modified hours. Public locations will close early at 7 p.m. However, the warehouse clubs diverge sharply: BJ’s Wholesale Club will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while Costco and Sam’s Club will close entirely.
Discount grocers have also split. Aldi and Trader Joe’s will remain closed on New Year’s Day. Convenience stores and pharmacies will generally remain open. CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations will be open, although some pharmacy hours may vary by location.
Home improvement stores will maintain reduced hours. Home deposit will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Lowe’s hours will vary by location but generally run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Restaurants
Fast food chains will largely remain operational. McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King will open many locations, although franchisee-operated stores may maintain varying hours. Starbucks will be open, just like channels like Chick-fil-A, MetroOlive Garden and Chili’s.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
