Veterans Day 2026: what's open and closed on Wednesday, November 11
Post offices and most banks close on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, but stock markets stay open. What to expect for mail, banks, schools and stores.
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The essentials: Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and it appears on the list of federal holidays published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Post offices and most banks will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery, but the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will trade as usual. Schools, state offices and courts follow their own rules, so the answer depends on where you live.
Is Veterans Day a federal holiday in 2026?
Yes. OPM lists Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, under the federal law that sets public holidays (5 U.S.C. 6103).
The date marks the armistice that ended the fighting of the First World War, which took effect at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918. President Woodrow Wilson first established the holiday, then called Armistice Day, in 1919, as FOX 5 DC recalls. Today it honors everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces.
Will mail be delivered on November 11?
No. All retail post office locations will be closed and mail will not be delivered on Wednesday, according to NBC Chicago and FOX 5 DC. Private carriers are a different matter: NBC Chicago reports that UPS stores and UPS pickup and delivery will operate normally, while FedEx will remain open with modified service. Both outlets advise checking each carrier’s website for local hours.
Are banks and the stock market open?
Most banks are expected to be closed because the Federal Reserve observes the holiday, NBC Chicago reports. The stock market, however, is open: Veterans Day is not one of the holidays on which the NYSE or Nasdaq close. FOX 5 DC adds that the bond market will be closed.
| Service | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Post offices (USPS) | Closed, no regular mail delivery |
| UPS | Open |
| FedEx | Open, modified service |
| Most banks | Closed (Federal Reserve holiday) |
| Stock markets (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Open |
| Bond market | Closed |
| Federal offices | Closed |
| Major retailers and most restaurants | Generally open, hours may vary |
Are schools closed on Veterans Day?
It depends on the district. In Illinois, for example, the state board of education treats November 11 as a legal school holiday, but school activities are still allowed, NBC Chicago notes. Chicago Public Schools will be closed to students for a professional development day, Joliet District 86 and Waukegan District 60 will be closed, and Wilmette District 39 will be open. Parents elsewhere should check their district’s calendar.
State services also vary. In Illinois, Secretary of State offices, including most driver’s license facilities, and the state courts will be closed on Wednesday, according to NBC Chicago.
What about stores and restaurants?
The large majority of major retailers, including Walmart, Home Depot and Target, will be open, and many will run promotions, FOX 5 DC reports. Most restaurants will also be open, and some offer discounts or free meals to veterans and active-duty service members. Offers and opening hours vary by location, so it is worth confirming with the local store.
What happens on the day?
The main national tribute is the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns in the Washington area, scheduled for 10 a.m. Central time (11 a.m. Eastern), according to NBC Chicago. The Department of Veterans Affairs describes the day as a way to honor and thank everyone who served honorably in the military, living and dead.
