Veterans Day 2024: What’s Open and Closed, and How It’s Celebrated

Veterans Day, a federal holiday in the United States, will be celebrated on Monday, November 11, 2024. This day honors all living veterans who have served in the U.S. military, tracing its roots back to Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Several services and institutions will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. Post offices will be closed, meaning no regular mail or packages will be delivered. However, other delivery services like FedEx and UPS will continue to operate, although with some limitations. FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Custom Critical will be available, while UPS services will run normally except for SurePost and Mail Innovations deliveries, which will take an additional business day.

Banks, including major institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, will be closed, but customers can still use ATMs and online banking services. Federal offices, non-essential government agencies, and schools will also be closed. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and the Federal Reserve will observe the holiday as well.

Despite these closures, many businesses and services will remain open. Most restaurants and retail stores, such as Costco, Target, Walmart, and Kroger, will operate, although it is advisable to check local hours as they may vary. National Parks will be open and free to all visitors on Veterans Day.

In addition to the closures and openings, several businesses are offering special deals and free meals to honor veterans. For example, Starbucks will offer free tall brewed coffee, Applebee's will provide a free entrée from a special menu, and other restaurants like Chili’s, Dunkin’, and IHOP will also offer free meals or discounts to veterans and active-duty military members.

The celebration of Veterans Day includes various observances and traditions. It is recommended to observe two minutes of silence at 2:11 PM Eastern Standard Time (11:11 AM Pacific Time) to honor veterans. The holiday is a time for Americans to reflect on the sacrifices and service of military veterans and to express gratitude for their contributions.