Courtesy: Independence Day
Independence Day lands on Saturday, July 4, this year. Because federal holidays that fall on weekends shift to either Friday or Monday, Friday July 3 becomes the official observance day. That matters for anyone planning errands, banking or shipping before the long weekend.
This year also marks a significant milestone. July 4, 2026 is America’s 250th birthday, the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Whether you are heading out for supplies or trying to sort out last-minute plans, here is what is open and what is not on Friday.
Banks, markets and government offices on this holiday
Federal government offices are closing Friday in observance of the holiday. Many state and local offices are following the same schedule, though policies vary by location.
The stock market is also shutting down. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are both closed July 3, with trading resuming Monday, July 6, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Banks are a different story. Most major institutions, including Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, M&T and Santander, plan to stay open Friday during standard hours. However, some branches may close early ahead of the weekend. It is worth checking your local branch before making the trip. All banks and financial institutions close Saturday, July 4, and reopen Monday, July 6.
Mail and shipping on the July 3 holiday
The U.S. Postal Service will operate on its normal Friday schedule. Mail pickup, delivery and branch hours all run as usual. Post offices close Saturday and there will be no mail delivery on July 4. Normal service resumes Monday.
UPS also runs standard pickup and delivery on Friday, with UPS store locations open during normal hours. Saturday brings a full stop, with no UPS pickup, delivery or store access.
FedEx delivers Friday but runs modified service in some areas. Early on-call pickups and adjusted drop box schedules may apply depending on location. FedEx retail locations could also have modified hours Friday, so confirming local hours in advance is a good idea. FedEx does not pick up or deliver on Saturday.
Stores and retailers open on this holiday Friday
Most major retailers plan to stay open Friday and give shoppers a full day to stock up before July 4 gatherings. Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx and Marshalls are all expected to operate on normal schedules.
Major grocery chains including Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Aldi are also staying open. CVS and Walgreens plan to operate normally, though pharmacy departments at some locations may run shorter hours.
The DMV is harder to predict. California and Massachusetts plan to stay open Friday. Connecticut opens but closes early. New Jersey, Florida, Virginia and several other states are closing. Checking your local DMV ahead of time is the safest approach.
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