Are Banks Open the Day After Christmas? Here’s What Really Happens on Dec. 26
Every year, once Christmas Day wraps up, the same question pops up almost immediately: is December 26 actually a holiday, and will banks and businesses be open? This year, the confusion feels even bigger because Christmas falls on a Thursday, and many people are hoping for a long, quiet weekend to follow. Offices look emptier, families are still visiting, and work often feels optional. But officially speaking, December 26 doesn’t always get the same treatment as Christmas Day.
In 2025, December 26 has been declared a federal holiday, but it’s important to understand what that really means. This isn’t a permanent holiday written into law. Instead, it was created through a temporary presidential order, which applies only for this year. For a day to become a permanent federal holiday, Congress would need to pass legislation and the president would have to sign it, like what happened with Juneteenth in 2021. Until that happens, December 26 remains more of a one-year exception than a long-term change.
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Because of that, who actually gets the day off depends a lot on where you work. Federal government offices are generally closed on December 26 this year, though some employees may still be asked to work if their role is considered essential. Outside of federal agencies, though, nothing is guaranteed. Private companies are not legally required to close, and many will stick to their usual schedules. Some employers may offer the day off as a courtesy, but others will treat it like a normal workday.
When it comes to errands, most things continue as usual. Banks, for example, are expected to be open on December 26. The Federal Reserve observes Christmas Day on December 25, but it does not recognize the following day as a banking holiday. That means most major banks reopen right away after Christmas, even if some branches operate with slightly adjusted hours.
The same goes for the postal service and retailers. Mail delivery resumes on December 26, and post offices are open for retail services. Big-name stores like Walmart, Target, and Costco typically close only on Christmas Day itself. Once December 26 arrives, doors reopen, returns begin, and post-holiday sales kick into high gear.
So while December 26 may feel like a holiday, especially this year, it really depends on your job and the type of service you’re dealing with. For most people, banks are open, stores are back in business, and life starts moving again, even if the holiday spirit hasn’t quite worn off yet.
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