Content
Recent Posts
Fourth of July 2026: What's Open & Closed This Holiday Weekend
Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means the usual holiday closures get split across two days. Here's what to expect before you fire up the grill or head out to watch fireworks for America's 250th birthday.
Content
The Official Observance Is Friday, July 3
Because July 4 lands on a Saturday in 2026, federal law dictates that the legal holiday is observed the day before. Federal offices will close on Friday, July 3, even though the actual holiday is Saturday, July 4. That single quirk explains most of the confusion people run into this time of year
Closed Friday, July 3
- Federal government offices
- Federal courts
- Post offices (regular mail delivery resumes as normal)
- Most state and municipal offices
- DMV branches
- Public libraries
- Stock markets: the NYSE and Nasdaq close Friday since they observe holidays on the preceding business day when the actual date falls on a Saturday
Open Friday, July 3
- Banks and the Federal Reserve, which stay fully open since the holiday falls on a weekend rather than a weekday
- Retail stores and supermarkets
- UPS and FedEx, both running regular delivery schedules
Saturday, July 4
Since the holiday itself falls on a Saturday, most consumer-facing businesses treat it like any normal weekend day, though hours can shift slightly. Here's what's typically open:
Grocery and retail:
- Walmart
- Target
- Costco (some warehouse locations close early or have modified hours, worth checking ahead)
- Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and most regional grocery chains
- CVS and Walgreens
- Home Depot and Lowe's
Restaurants and fast food:
- McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King
- Starbucks (hours may vary by location)
- Chipotle
- Chick-fil-A is closed, as it is every Sunday and most holidays, though July 4 falling on a Saturday means locations should be open with regular hours
- Most sit-down chains like Applebee's, Olive Garden, and Texas Roadhouse stay open, often with extended hours for holiday crowds
Banking and Payroll
Because banks and the Federal Reserve remain open on both Friday, July 3, and the following Monday, payroll and direct deposit schedules shouldn't be affected this year. Employers don't need to push payday earlier than the way they would if the holiday fell on a weekday.
Mail and Shipping
- USPS: closed Friday, July 3, with mail delivery resuming Saturday as scheduled
- UPS: regular delivery schedule, no disruptions
- FedEx: regular delivery schedule, no disruptions
Public Transit
Transit agencies often shift to holiday or weekend schedules around July 4, sometimes spanning both Friday and Saturday. Boston's MBTA, for example, is running Saturday-level schedules on both days this year, with subways, buses, and ferries on weekend service. Check your local transit authority before heading out, since policies vary widely by city.
Bottom Line
Get banking, post office, and government errands done by Thursday if possible, since Friday is the official closure day. Saturday itself should look like a normal, busy holiday weekend for grocery stores, retailers, and restaurants.
For more articles like this, visit our Lifestyle News Page!