What’s Closed on Presidents’ Day 2026? A Complete List

Presidents’ Day, observed on the third Monday of February, mixes history, civic respect, and a welcome winter break. Workers, shoppers, and travelers all share one basic question each year: what will actually shut down? This guide gathers every major closure for 16 February 2026 in one place.

By checking each category before the long weekend begins, you can avoid last-minute Presidents’ Day closings surprises. Many employees now work from home, but remote log-ins do not change the holiday status of federal servers; if a system ties into a closed agency, the portal may display a downtime notice.

Is Presidents’ Day a Federal Holiday?

Yes. Congress designated the birthday of George Washington, now commonly called Presidents’ Day, as a federal holiday under 5 U.S.C. § 6103. Because it sits in that statute, every federal employee receives the day off with pay unless required for national security or public safety.

Federal Reserve banks follow the same calendar, which affects payments and the wider banking system. When the Federal Reserve closes, Automated Clearing House batches pause for 24 hours, so direct deposits and bill payments settle a day later. Treasury auctions, national park fee counters, and many other federal functions also pause until Tuesday morning.

What Is Closed on Presidents’ Day?

Families often assume every service works the same on every holiday, yet each sector sets its own rules. The next section lists the public services that pause on 16 February 2026.

Federal government offices

Every department, agency, and field location of the executive-branch lock its doors. Offices of social security, passport, and IRS walk-in counters are closed until Tuesday. The staff, like air-traffic controllers and border inspectors, who report under emergency conditions, do not provide normal windows to the customer. Veterans intending to attend a VA outpatient clinic must reschedule since the majority of community-based clinics adhere to the federal calendar.

U.S. post offices

United States Postal Service retail counters close. No ordinary home delivery occurs, and blue collection boxes will not be emptied. Priority Mail Express pieces continue moving because express crews run every day of the year. Package lockers inside some grocery stores remain accessible, but mail will not arrive until the next sort.

Federal courts

District courts, bankruptcy courts, and courts of appeals stop hearing cases. Clerks’ offices cease stamping filings except for emergency matters such as last-minute stays of execution. Electronic filing remains available, yet documents receive the following day’s date. Attorneys must adjust response calendars to avoid missing a deadline that falls on a holiday.

Some state and local government offices

The federal list is followed in most state capitols; city halls are no exception. Branches of the Department of Motor Vehicles virtually never stay open. Libraries and community centers do not necessarily go by the same calendar, so you need to call ahead in case you intend to visit. The trash collection by the city is occasionally moved a day earlier; the collection of the recycling can keep the usual rotation, thus refer to the web page of the Street Department to find out the actual plan.

What Is Open on Presidents’ Day?

Not every part of civic life pauses. Think of Presidents’ Day as a public-sector break rather than a universal stop. Retailers market deep discounts, restaurants court diners, and digital platforms run as usual. The paragraphs below outline the businesses and services that keep running so you can schedule errands, meals, and trades with confidence.

Retail stores

Big box stores, like Target and Walmart, promote long-term or seasonal sales. The warehouse clubs (Costco included) post regular Monday schedules since the holiday does not fall on their list of limited-holidays. To attract customers who are on Presidents day leave, department stores offer mattress and appliance deals in association with Presidents day closings, advertising.

Restaurants and fast food

Restaurant business proceeds as usual on Monday. There are independent cafes, national casual chains, and drive-through fast-food. There are also high-end locations, which push up fixing menus based on the theme of favorite presidential dishes. The volume of the lunch delivery apps is higher since most households stay at home during the day.

Online services and e-commerce

Online stores, streaming websites, and cloud storage have no end. Orders made on 16 February can be delivered on the next day since shippers are resting, though online downloads, chatbots with their customer support, and renewals of subscriptions continue to accumulate. Gaming servers also have special holiday quests or badges so as to increase the level of participation over the long weekend.

Stock markets

The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and the Chicago options and futures markets close in coordination with the federal schedule; NYSE & Nasdaq are closed. Electronic after-hours trading also pauses until the next session at 4 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Cryptocurrency exchanges, however, continue worldwide trading because they are not tied to U.S. banking hours.

Do Presidents’ Day Closures Vary by State?

Stamps, court filings, and central-bank payments obey one rule across the nation. State law, however, can shift school calendars and public-facing counter hours. The table below contrasts a few examples and shows how the same date looks different once you cross a state line.

How to Find Out What’s Open and Closed on Presidents’ Day?

General rules help, yet the final answer often rests with a branch manager or local ordinance. Plan early so your child’s asthma refill does not run out, and your water bill remains current. Use the steps below so you reach the right desk on the first try.

• Check the official website. Look at the banner on a city, county, or agency homepage before leaving home. Updates usually appear a week before the holiday.
• Call the customer hotline. A two-minute phone call to the store or bank cuts through rumors and old blog posts.
• Browse social-media feeds. Companies post graphics with holiday hours on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Enable carrier alerts. USPS Informed Delivery, UPS My Choice, and FedEx Delivery Manager send push notices about adjusted pickup windows.
• Watch local news apps. Television stations compile lists of area closings and push them to their mobile apps on holiday weekends.
• Ask a smart speaker. Voice assistants often read directly from a business’s online info panel.
• Read posted signs. Walk-up notices still matter. Many small offices tape holiday schedules to the front door ten days early.

FAQs

Will mail be delivered on Presidents Day?

The Postal Service suspends regular delivery and thus, letters, magazines, and parcels are delayed until 17 February. Priority Mail Express is the only one that travels and arrives under the guarantee printed on the label. During the federal observation every year, the private carriers operate special lanes of critical shipments, primarily medical or high-value goods.

Are banks closed today on Presidents Day?

Traditional brick-and-mortar banks, including branches inside supermarkets, stay dark because the holiday sits on the Federal Reserve’s calendar. Interactive teller machines, mobile apps, and online bill pay work, yet posted transfers settle on the next business day after the holiday ends at midnight Eastern for most retail deposit account holders.

Will everything be open on Presidents Day?

No. Federal, many state, and some local offices take the holiday. Stock exchanges and USPS also suspend service. Retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and online platforms operate. Use the tips above to confirm hours before you drive, click, or call to avoid an unnecessary trip on the annual mid-February federal holiday.

Conclusion

Presidents’ Day delivers a pause for public servants while businesses compete for shoppers drawn by Presidents’ Day closings and promotions. Federal offices, courts, and post offices close, while retail, dining, and digital services carry on.

Review local rules, plan ahead, and add your own observations to the discussion below. We welcome comments about how the holiday schedule helps or hinders your plans for February 2026. Your insights may guide readers in other regions who face different local rules.