What's Open and Closed on Veterans Day 2026, and Why the Holiday Never Moves to a Monday
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Federal offices, banks, mail and the bond market close; stock markets stay open. Full list and history.
In this article
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11. It is a federal holiday, so federal offices, the Federal Reserve, most banks and the U.S. Postal Service close for the day, while the stock market stays open. Unlike most federal holidays, Veterans Day is tied to its date rather than a weekday, which is why it lands midweek this year instead of creating a long weekend.
What is open and closed on Nov. 11, 2026
| Service | Status on Wednesday, Nov. 11 |
|---|---|
| Federal government offices | Closed |
| Federal Reserve | Closed |
| Most banks | Closed (ATMs, cards and online banking work) |
| U.S. Postal Service | Post offices closed, no regular mail delivery |
| Bond market | Closed (industry recommendation) |
| New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq | Open, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Public schools | Varies by district |
| Most stores and restaurants | Open |
The federal closures come from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2026 holiday table, which lists Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and from the Federal Reserve’s 2026 holiday schedule. Because the Federal Reserve is closed, bank transfers and direct deposits started on Nov. 11 generally settle on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Stock trading continues because the New York Stock Exchange does not close for Veterans Day. The bond market follows a different calendar: the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends a full close on Veterans Day, as it does on Columbus Day.
Schools are the biggest variable. Some districts close for the day, while many stay open and hold Veterans Day assemblies. Check your district calendar before planning around it.
Why Veterans Day stays on Nov. 11
The date marks the armistice that halted fighting in World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day in 1919, Congress called for an annual observance in 1926, and a 1938 law made Nov. 11 a legal federal holiday.
In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress renamed it Veterans Day to honor all American veterans. A later change did not last: under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, Veterans Day moved to the fourth Monday of October starting in 1971. Many states kept Nov. 11 anyway, and in 1975 Congress passed a law returning the federal observance to Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. It has stayed there since.
When Nov. 11 falls on a weekend
Because the holiday keeps its date, it sometimes lands on a Saturday or Sunday. OPM’s rule is that a Saturday holiday is observed on the Friday before and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after, for federal pay and leave purposes.
| Year | Nov. 11 falls on | Federal holiday observed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday | Wednesday, Nov. 11 |
| 2027 | Thursday | Thursday, Nov. 11 |
| 2028 | Saturday | Friday, Nov. 10 |
| 2029 | Sunday | Monday, Nov. 12 |
| 2030 | Monday | Monday, Nov. 11 |
| 2031 | Tuesday | Tuesday, Nov. 11 |
Ceremonies, including the national observance at Arlington National Cemetery, are traditionally held on Nov. 11 itself even in weekend years.
Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day
The two holidays are often confused. Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, living or dead. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, honors those who died while serving. In 2027, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31.
Planning tips for a midweek holiday
- Send time-sensitive mail and bank transfers by Tuesday, Nov. 10.
- If you have children in school, confirm whether your district is open; closures differ even between neighboring districts.
- Many restaurants and retailers offer discounts to veterans and service members on Nov. 11; most require a military ID or proof of service.
- Thanksgiving follows two weeks later, on Thursday, Nov. 26, so November 2026 has two federal holidays in the same month.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veterans Day 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. Veterans Day is one of the 11 federal holidays. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and federal offices are closed.
Is the stock market open on Veterans Day 2026?
Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq hold a normal session from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The bond market closes for the day under the schedule recommended by SIFMA.
Is there mail on Veterans Day?
No. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail and post offices are closed on federal holidays, including Veterans Day.
Are banks open on Veterans Day?
Most banks close because the Federal Reserve is closed. ATMs, cards and online banking work, but transfers started on Nov. 11 usually settle on the next business day.
Why isn't Veterans Day on a Monday?
Congress moved it to a Monday in October from 1971 to 1977, then passed a 1975 law that returned the observance to Nov. 11 starting in 1978 because of the date's historical meaning.
What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, honors those who died in military service.
Sources
- Federal Holidays (U.S. Office of Personnel Management)
- Federal Reserve Holidays (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
- Holiday Schedule (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association)
- Holidays & Trading Hours (New York Stock Exchange)
- History of Veterans Day (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
