> At a Glance
> – Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, marks the federal observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
> – USPS, banks, stock market, and most government offices will be closed
> – Why it matters: Plan ahead-no mail, limited deliveries, and no in-person banking that Monday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day always lands on the third Monday of January. In 2026 that’s Jan. 19, and the ripple effect shuts down broad swaths of daily services.
What’s Closed
The United States Postal Service treats MLK Day as a full holiday:
- All post-office locations shut their doors
- No regular mail pickup or delivery
- Service resumes Tuesday, Jan. 20
Major banks follow the Federal Reserve calendar, so expect locked branches for:
- Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, Capital One
- PNC, Truist, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, U.S. Bank, Santander
ATMs and online banking stay available, but the New York Stock Exchange also pauses trading for the long weekend (it closes after hours Friday, Jan. 16, and reopens Tuesday).
Government & Public Services
Federal, state, and most local agencies shut down, including:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Courthouses
- Public libraries
- Public schools
Trash and recycling routes in many towns shift one day later; residents should check municipal sites for revised pickup schedules.
Businesses Staying Open
- FedEx keeps running with possible service tweaks-confirm local hours
- Grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers generally remain open, though some may trim their hours
2026 Federal Holiday Calendar
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan. 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan. 19 |
| Washington’s Birthday | Feb. 16 |
| Memorial Day | May 25 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | Sept. 7 |
| Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day | Oct. 12 |
| Veterans Day | Nov. 11 |
| Thanksgiving | Nov. 26 |
| Christmas Day | Dec. 25 |
Key Takeaways
- Plan bill payments and mail shipments around the Jan. 19 USPS closure
- Stock-market investors have an extended weekend; markets reopen Jan. 20
- Banking apps work, but branches are dark-use ATMs or online tools
- Public-sector closures extend to schools, libraries, and many sanitation routes
- Private shippers like FedEx stay active, yet local cut-off times may vary
Mark your calendar now so the mid-January holiday doesn’t derail deliveries, deposits, or daily errands.
