If you are looking forward to a long weekend in February, you need to mark Presidents Day 2026 on your calendar.
Officially recognized as Washington’s Birthday, this mid-winter holiday is famous for massive retail sales and a welcome day off for millions of students and workers. Because it is an official federal holiday, it completely changes the operating hours of banks, government buildings, and mail delivery. Here is your complete guide to what is open and closed.
When is Presidents Day in 2026?
This year, Presidents Day will be observed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Following the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968, the holiday never falls on a fixed numerical date. Instead, it is always celebrated on the third Monday of February. While it was originally established to honor George Washington (whose actual birthday is February 22nd), the day has culturally evolved into a celebration honoring all past U.S. Presidents, particularly Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
What is Closed on Presidents Day 2026?
Because it is one of the 11 recognized federal holidays, you can expect widespread closures across the financial and government sectors on Monday, February 16th.
If you need to run important errands, plan around these closures:
- Banks: All major banks (including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank) are completely CLOSED. ATMs and online banking apps will remain functional.
- Mail Delivery: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is CLOSED. There is no regular mail delivery, and post offices will be locked. However, UPS and FedEx will operate on largely normal schedules.
- Government Offices: All non-essential federal, state, and local government offices—including the DMV, libraries, and local courts—are CLOSED.
- Stock Market: Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are CLOSED for trading.
- Schools: The vast majority of public schools and many universities take the day off.
Are Stores Open on Presidents Day?
Yes! In fact, Presidents Day is one of the biggest retail weekends of the entire year.
While government buildings shut down, the retail industry uses the long weekend to clear out winter inventory and launch massive sales events, particularly for mattresses, appliances, and cars.
You can expect almost all major retailers to be fully OPEN on Monday, February 16th, including:
- Walmart & Target: Open during normal business hours.
- Home Depot & Lowe’s: Open, featuring major appliance sales.
- Grocery Stores: Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Whole Foods are open.
- Costco & Sam’s Club: Both warehouse clubs will be fully open!
Plan the Rest of Your February Holidays
Presidents Day isn’t the only massive event happening in February 2026. Just two days before the long weekend begins, you will need to have your dinner reservations and chocolates ready!
If you are trying to plan a romantic weekend, make sure you check out our complete guide to [Valentine’s Day 2026] to see exactly what day it falls on.