As the clock ticks down to midnight and 2026 approaches, Americans across the country are juggling last-minute errands, celebrations, and the annual dance with altered business and government hours. This year’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bring a familiar patchwork of schedules, closures, and a few surprises—reminding everyone to double-check plans before heading out the door.
For those in Madison, Wisconsin, public transportation riders will need to pay special attention to Metro Transit’s holiday adjustments. According to city officials, on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, buses will stick to their regular weekday schedule—no extended late-night service to ferry revelers home. Route 80 will operate on a weekend recess schedule, while Routes 81 through 84 won’t be running at all. The following day, Thursday, January 1, 2026, buses will switch to a “Sunday” schedule, meaning only select routes—A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, L, O, P, R, and S—will be in service. Route 80 continues on its weekend recess timetable, and Routes 81-84 remain offline. Paratransit riders should note that all standing rides are canceled after 6:00 p.m. on January 1, with only casual rides available for the holiday. Metro’s customer service will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the administration office will be closed, so questions should be directed to the Metro hotline or email.
Down in Florida, shoppers scrambling for party supplies or groceries will find most stores open both days, but with some notable exceptions and shortened hours. As reported by USA Today Network, New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday, so most grocery and drug stores—including Bravo Supermarkets, Fresh Market, Publix, Sprouts, Target, Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and Whole Foods—will keep their doors open, though closing times may come earlier than usual. For example, Trader Joe’s will close at 5 p.m. on December 31, while other chains, like Walmart and Target, will operate on their regular schedules. On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, the landscape shifts: Aldi and Trader Joe’s will be closed, while others—like Bravo Supermarkets and Publix—will operate with reduced hours. Drug stores such as CVS, Publix Pharmacy, and Walgreens will remain open both days, but shoppers are advised to check with individual locations for exact hours. Wholesale clubs like BJ’s will be open both days, but Costco and Sam’s Club will be shuttered on New Year’s Day.
These retail rhythms reflect the national pattern: New Year’s Eve, though a major celebration, isn’t a federal holiday, but New Year’s Day is. The U.S. recognizes 11 federal holidays, with January 1 marking the first of the year. This distinction means that while many businesses operate as usual on December 31, a wave of closures hits on January 1.
The financial world is no exception. According to USA Today, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will conduct business as usual on New Year’s Eve, running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Over-the-counter trading will also be available during regular hours. However, the U.S. bond market will close early at 2:00 p.m. ET in line with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s guidelines. Come New Year’s Day, all major U.S. stock and bond markets will be closed for the holiday, giving traders a well-earned break. Internationally, markets in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo will either close early or remain closed on both December 31 and January 1, reflecting the global nature of the celebration.
For residents of Wisconsin, the holiday brings a mixed bag of government and civic services. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that while federal government offices will stay open on New Year’s Eve, they’ll be closed on New Year’s Day. Both Wisconsin state government and Milwaukee city offices will be closed on December 31 and January 1. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail and keep post offices open on New Year’s Eve, but all locations will be closed and deliveries suspended on New Year’s Day. Shipping services such as UPS and FedEx will operate on December 31 but halt services on January 1. Milwaukee Public Libraries will be closed both days, while garbage pickup continues uninterrupted—though recycling collection may be delayed due to the holiday and ongoing snow response operations. Milwaukee Public Schools are on winter break until January 2, giving students a few extra days of rest. Grocery stores in Wisconsin will generally have limited hours on both days, so early shopping is advised.
Amidst these logistical adjustments, some communities are marking the end of an era. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Canvas Artistry—a beloved downtown bar and restaurant known for supporting local artists, DJs, poets, and musicians—will close its doors on New Year’s Day. As reported by KOB, the business, located in the “One Central” building, shared a heartfelt message on social media: “This is not a goodbye. It is a see you down the road.” The owners expressed deep gratitude to the community and announced plans to restructure, with future catering options in the works. For regulars and artists alike, it’s a bittersweet farewell, but not a permanent one.
All these changes highlight the complex choreography required to keep cities, businesses, and services running during one of the busiest times of the year. Whether you’re catching a bus in Madison, grabbing groceries in Florida, or trading stocks in New York, the holiday schedule is a reminder to plan ahead. And for those marking the end of a chapter—like the team at Canvas Artistry—it’s a time of reflection and hope for new beginnings.
So, as Americans count down to 2026, a little preparation—and perhaps a double-check of store hours—can help ensure a smooth start to the new year, no matter where or how you celebrate.
