As Independence Day approaches on Friday, July 4, 2025, Americans nationwide are preparing for celebrations filled with fireworks, barbecues, and a well-deserved day off. But beyond the festivities, many are also wondering about the impact of the holiday on essential services and markets. The stock market, banks, mail delivery, and major retailers will all adjust their schedules in observance of this historic federal holiday.
The United States stock markets will be closed entirely on Friday, July 4, in honor of Independence Day, a federal holiday officially recognized since June 28, 1870. This closure applies to both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, the two primary equity markets. In fact, the holiday break begins a day earlier, as both exchanges will close early at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 3. This early closure allows traders and investors to start their holiday weekend a little earlier and helps ensure orderly market operations during the shortened trading day.
Similarly, the U.S. bond market will follow a coordinated schedule, closing early at 2 p.m. ET on July 3 and remaining closed on July 4. This synchronization across equity and bond markets, as confirmed by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, maintains consistency in the financial system during the holiday period. Investors should plan accordingly, as no regular market sessions will take place during this extended break.
Looking beyond the Fourth of July, the stock market will resume normal trading hours throughout the summer, with the next full market closure scheduled for Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025. Later in the year, markets will also close for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, and Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25, rounding out the major federal holiday schedule for 2025.
But the market isn’t the only sector adjusting for Independence Day. Most banks will be closed on July 4, as the Federal Reserve recognizes the day as a bank holiday. While physical branches will be shuttered, customers can still access ATMs and digital banking services, ensuring some level of financial access during the break.
Mail delivery services will also pause on Independence Day. The United States Postal Service will not deliver regular mail or packages on July 4. However, USPS Priority Mail remains operational, ensuring that some critical deliveries continue despite the holiday. Other delivery giants, like FedEx and UPS, will largely suspend their standard services on the Fourth of July as well. FedEx Express will operate with modified service on Thursday, July 3, but most FedEx services will be closed on Friday, July 4. Notably, FedEx Custom Critical will continue operations, catering to urgent shipments. UPS will be closed on the holiday but maintains its UPS Express Critical service for essential deliveries.
For those wondering about retail and grocery store hours, the picture is more varied. Many grocery stores will remain open on the Fourth of July, providing essentials for holiday celebrations. For example, Stop & Shop and Market Basket will welcome customers, with Market Basket operating from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Other grocery chains like Dave's Marketplace and Shaws will also be open, though some stores may operate with reduced hours. Trader Joe's plans to close its locations at 5 p.m., and Whole Foods will close its Rhode Island stores at 6 p.m. Costco warehouses, in contrast, will be closed on Independence Day.
Major retailers such as Walmart and Target will maintain their regular hours on July 4, ensuring that shoppers can find what they need for the holiday. Fitness enthusiasts will find most Planet Fitness locations open, albeit with limited hours, so they can keep up with their routines even on a holiday.
Independence Day itself has deep historical roots dating back to the first anniversary celebrations of American independence in Philadelphia. John Adams famously described the early festivities in a letter to his daughter Abigail, highlighting the spontaneous joy and patriotic spirit of the occasion. Over time, the Fourth of July became an annual tradition, with significant events like groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad scheduled to coincide with the holiday. It wasn’t until 1870 that Congress officially designated Independence Day as a federal holiday, cementing its place in the American calendar.
With this year’s Fourth of July falling on a Friday, many workers in both the federal government and private sectors will enjoy a paid day off, giving rise to a long weekend filled with relaxation and celebration. The coordinated closures across markets, banks, and services reflect the nation’s respect for this historic day while balancing the need to maintain essential operations.
As the nation gears up for Independence Day, it’s clear that while many services will pause to honor the occasion, others will adapt with modified hours or critical service options. Whether you’re planning to watch fireworks, fire up the grill, or simply enjoy a day off, understanding these closures and schedules will help you navigate the holiday with ease.
After July 4, business will return to normal on Wall Street and across other sectors, continuing through the summer until the next federal holiday pause on Labor Day. So, mark your calendars, plan your trades, and enjoy the celebrations — the Fourth of July is a time to honor the past and look forward to the future.
