Presidents Day
Here's what's open and closed on Presidents Day. Flickr/Christian Collins

Presidents Day is here, and what's open is a key concern for anyone planning errands or outings. As a federal holiday, the day brings widespread closures across government services, banks and financial markets, even as shops and restaurants continue normal operations.

Observed on Monday, 16 Feb, the holiday is officially known as Washington's Birthday. It was established in 1879 to honour the first US president, George Washington, before gradually becoming associated with a broader celebration of all American presidents.

For many households, however, the day is more closely tied to store hours, delivery schedules and whether key services are running.

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The modern three-day weekend took shape in 1968 when Congress moved several federal holidays to Mondays. Although the public widely refers to the day as Presidents Day, federal law still recognises it as Washington's Birthday. Below is a breakdown of what is open and closed.

What's Closed On Presidents Day

Because Presidents Day is a federal holiday, most government services will not operate. Federal offices, courthouses and many local government departments will be closed.

Banks across the United States will also shut their doors. Branches of major institutions, including Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Chase, Truist and CitiBank, will not be open for in-person services. Online banking and ATMs will remain available, with normal operations resuming the next business day.

Mail delivery will pause as well. U.S. Postal Service post offices will be closed on Monday, and regular mail will not be delivered. USPS services are expected to return to normal on Tuesday, 17 Feb.

Financial markets will also close for the day. The Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange and the U.S. bond markets will all observe the holiday.

Most public schools will be closed, though schedules may vary by district. Some universities observe the holiday, while others remain open, so individual institutions should be checked for confirmation.

What's Open on Presidents Day

Despite federal closures, much of the retail and food sector will operate as usual. Major grocery chains and retailers, including Walmart, Aldi, Target, Whole Foods and Costco, are expected to open during regular business hours. Some locations may adjust hours, so checking local listings is advised.

Restaurants, shopping centres and most private businesses will also remain open. Many retailers use the long weekend to run Presidents Day sales and promotions.

Shipping services will largely continue. UPS pickup and delivery services are available, and store locations will remain open. However, UPS Ground Saver and UPS Mail Innovations shipments may take an extra business day due to the federal holiday.

FedEx services will also operate on a modified schedule. Both U.S. and international package and express freight services are expected to run, though specific service options may vary.

What To Expect During The Holiday

Presidents Day typically resembles a normal shopping and dining day, with the main disruptions limited to government, banking and postal services. Tasks involving official paperwork, bank visits or regular mail will likely be delayed until Tuesday.

Retail stores, grocery outlets and restaurants, however, will largely remain open, making the holiday one of the more convenient federal observances for everyday errands.

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