Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, and whether you're honoring fallen heroes at a local ceremony, hosting a backyard BBQ, or heading to the beach for the unofficial start of summer, one thing's for sure. The last thing you want is to show up at a closed store.
With many businesses shutting down or cutting hours for the federal holiday, a little prep goes a long way. It's a great time to put that Costco membership to work and stock up ahead of the weekend, but if you find yourself scrambling for a last-minute errand, we've got you covered.
Here's a full breakdown of what's open and what's closed this Memorial Day weekend so you can spend less time worrying and more time celebrating.
Walmart (Open)
Walmart is another major retailer that plans to have stores open on Memorial Day.
The retailer is likely to be open during its normal business hours, so you can stop by for weekend party supplies or just to get a grocery run in.
Target (Open)
You'll have plenty of time to stop by Target for bathing suits for a pool day or to pick up things you forgot for your family barbecue.
You may want to check before you go to make sure they'll be open, but chances are you'll be good to head in and grab what you need or just wander the aisles on your day off.
Aldi (Limited hours)
Grocery chain Aldi will be open on Memorial Day but will have limited hours.
Check with your local Aldi to find out what the store's hours are that day so you can shop and get what you need during the shortened open hours.
Post office (Closed)
Don't expect to find any mail in your mailbox on Memorial Day — the U.S. Postal Service observes the holiday and won't be delivering mail.
Post office facilities will also be closed if you need to ship items or pick up packages.
Costco (Closed)
Costco is a great place to stock up on hot dogs, plates, drinks, and anything else you might need for a Memorial Day barbecue.
But make sure you stock up ahead of time since Costco will be closed on Memorial Day. You may also want to consider shopping before the weekend starts, as Saturdays and Sundays are already some of the retailer's busiest days.
Pro tip: Costco's Memorial Day sale continues online if you have your eye on a new appliance at a lower price.
UPS (Closed)
You also may miss out if you plan to get a package delivered with UPS instead of the post office, as UPS won't pick up or deliver packages.
Your local UPS store may be open for the holiday, but hours can vary from store to store, so it's important to check before you go.
Schools (Closed)
The good news is you can sleep in on Memorial Day. Public schools around the country will be closed.
You might want to double-check to make sure your local private schools are closed that day, but it's pretty likely that the doors will be locked.
FedEx (Closed)
Like UPS, FedEx won't be delivering packages or picking up items you need to ship.
Local FedEx locations may or may not be open, so it's important to check with your nearest location to find out.
Banks (Closed)
You'll probably still have access to an ATM if you need cash but don't expect to do any other banking business on Memorial Day.
It is a holiday for banks in accordance with the Federal Reserve System guidelines so try to get any banking issues handled before the weekend instead.
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Stock market (Closed)
Trading is halted at the national stock markets, so don't expect to buy or sell stocks or commodities. The closure affects the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
Government offices (Closed)
Memorial Day is a Federal holiday so places like government offices and courts will be closed.
State and local offices are also likely to be closed, but you may want to check and see if your city has government events or memorials in observance of Memorial Day.
Grocery stores (Varies)
You can also do your typical grocery shopping on Memorial Day, as most grocery stores are usually open and operating during their normal business hours or amended business hours.
Grocery chains like Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, and others are usually open, but you should double-check before you head out. Some stores may have amended hours or might not have all the normal services, like pharmacies, open.
Bottom line
Many stores and business offices may be closed on Memorial Day, so it's a good idea to check business hours before. That way, you'll be able to save money shopping for essentials beforehand or on the day of, if you're looking to buy fresher foods.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
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