Memorial Day 2025: What’s Open and Closed in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Memorial Day, observed this year on Monday, May 26, honors the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It also marks the unofficial start of summer, prompting numerous travel plans and retail sales across the nation.

The holiday originated from a tradition of honoring fallen soldiers and became an official federal holiday in 1971 when Congress moved its observance to the last Monday of May. This change has established a three-day weekend that many Americans use for travel and shopping.

On Memorial Day, government offices, post offices, courts, and schools will be closed. The stock markets and banks will also shut their doors for the day, with USPS not delivering mail and major delivery services like FedEx and UPS operating with limited schedules.

Retail chains like Costco will close for Memorial Day, while Sam’s Club will open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for regular members. Many grocery stores, including Aldi, Fresh Market, Publix, Sprouts, Target, and Trader Joe’s, plan to be open and will likely offer promotional sales.

Walmart will operate on regular hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fast-food favorites like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Denny's, Domino's, Dunkin’, and IHOP will also welcome customers, although hours may vary by location.

Travel agencies indicate that Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season. AAA projects that over 45 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home, with 3.6 million expected to fly, reflecting a slight increase from last year.

In recent years, concerns over tariffs and government rhetoric have impacted international travelers’ willingness to visit the U.S., leading to a cautious outlook for the travel and tourism sector.

As communities prepare to honor their fallen heroes, many will also enjoy the long weekend with gatherings, outdoor activities, and remembrance events.