As Presidents Day approaches on Monday, February 16, 2026, Americans across the country are preparing for a day that brings both celebration and a fair bit of confusion over what remains open and what closes down. Officially recognized as Washington’s Birthday, this federal holiday has evolved over time to honor not just the nation’s first president, George Washington, but, in many states, Abraham Lincoln and all U.S. presidents. The shifting nature of the holiday, coupled with its impact on daily services, means many are left wondering: Will the bank be open? Can I get my mail? Is the stock market trading? Let’s break down what to expect this year, drawing on reporting from USA Today, the Greenville News, and other local and national outlets.
Presidents Day, or Washington’s Birthday as it’s still officially called by the federal government, has an origin story that’s a little more complicated than most realize. According to the National Archives, Congress first made George Washington’s birthday a federal holiday in 1879, initially only for federal employees in Washington, D.C. By 1885, the observance extended to all federal employees nationwide. The date itself has shifted over time: Washington was born on February 11, 1731, according to the Julian calendar, but after the British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, his birthday moved to February 22, 1732.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to give Americans more three-day weekends, moving the observance of Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February. This convenient shift placed the holiday between Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays, and by the early 2000s, nearly half the states had renamed it Presidents Day to honor both men or all presidents, as USA Today notes. Still, the federal government maintains the official name as Washington’s Birthday.
So, what does this mean for your Monday routine? For starters, most major banks—including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC, Truist, Chase, M&T Bank, and KeyBank—will be closed for the holiday, according to reports from USA Today and the Greenville News. Some local banks and credit unions, like those in Connecticut, have the option to remain open, but customers are advised to check with their local branch. In most cases, banking services will resume on Tuesday, February 17.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will also pause both retail and mail delivery services on Presidents Day. As highlighted by the Connecticut Post and other local news, all post offices nationwide will be closed, and no regular mail or packages will be delivered. There’s an exception for Priority Mail Express, which still operates even on federal holidays. Normal service picks up again the next day.
Shipping carriers offer a slightly different story. UPS will be open for pickup and delivery services on February 16, and UPS Store locations will operate as usual. However, certain UPS services that rely on USPS, like SurePost and Mail Innovations, will see a one-day delay due to the postal closure. FedEx will also keep most of its services running, with some modifications. According to the company’s holiday schedule cited by local outlets, FedEx Office, Freight, Critical, and Logistics arms will remain open, but customers should check specific locations for hours or service changes.
For those interested in the financial markets, Presidents Day brings a full stop. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will both be closed on February 16, reopening at normal hours the following day. The U.S. bond market also shuts down, as does over-the-counter trading. According to USA Today, after February 16, the next market holiday will be Good Friday on April 3, 2026. International markets, such as the London Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange, will maintain their regular schedules.
Government offices at all levels—federal, state, and local—will be shuttered for the day. This includes courthouses, administrative agencies, and city offices. In Connecticut, for example, the Department of Administrative Services, Insurance Department, and Judicial Branch courts will all be closed, as reported by the Connecticut Post. The Department of Motor Vehicles in Connecticut observed the holiday earlier, on Saturday, February 14, but some appointments may be available on the actual Monday.
Public schools generally close for Presidents Day, but this can vary by state and even by district. In South Carolina, public schools across the state will have no classes on February 16, according to the Department of Education and coverage by the Greenville News. In Connecticut, local and regional boards of education can choose whether to close, so parents are encouraged to check their specific school calendars.
Other public services may also be affected. Trash collection in Greenville, South Carolina, will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week, while Anderson Electric City Transit will not operate on Monday. Greenlink buses in Greenville, however, will maintain their usual schedules, and Spartanburg County transit services will run on a modified timetable. Most recycling centers and public libraries will also be closed for the holiday.
Despite the widespread closures in public services and financial institutions, most private sector businesses—including restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, healthcare providers, and pharmacies—will remain open. The day is not a paid holiday for most private workers, though some may enjoy a three-day weekend if their employer observes the federal schedule. Local news outlets, like the Greenville News, recommend checking specific business hours to avoid surprises.
Other state-specific quirks include the Connecticut Lottery Headquarters, which will be closed, though regularly scheduled lottery drawings will still occur. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis recently added George Washington’s birthday to the state calendar for 2026, highlighting the ongoing evolution of how the day is recognized in different parts of the country.
So, while Presidents Day is rooted in the celebration of a founding father, it’s become a patchwork of traditions and closures that reflect both national reverence and local variation. Whether you’re planning to visit the bank, mail a package, or simply enjoy a day off, a little preparation goes a long way on this uniquely American holiday.