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Federal Holiday Chaos: Who's Open, Who's Closed?
24 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Federal government offices closed Dec 24 and Dec 26 for employees.
- USPS, banks, and financial markets operate with modified hours.
- UPS halts pickups and deliveries on Dec 26, treating it as a holiday.
The U.S. federal government will close non-essential agencies from Christmas Eve through the following Sunday, granting employees December 24 and December 26 off. This move, while boosting morale, creates a patchwork of operating hours for private and quasi-governmental services. Despite the federal closure, the U.S. Postal Service will maintain operations, likely with shortened hours on Christmas Eve and regular service on December 26.
Financial markets are not fully embracing the extended holiday. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will operate with an early close on December 24, remain closed on Christmas Day, and reopen for a full trading day on December 26. Major banks such as Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo will also remain open on Christmas Eve and December 26, with branches expected to close early on the 24th.
Shipping and logistics companies show divergent plans for the post-Christmas period. FedEx anticipates being fully operational on December 26, though some freight services may have modified schedules. In contrast, UPS has announced no pickup or delivery services for December 26, effectively extending the Christmas holiday. Major retailers like Walmart and Target are unaffected and will generally be open for last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve and fully operational on December 26.
