what places are closed on mlk day
Most government-related services are closed on MLK Day, while most retail stores and restaurants stay open, often with normal hours.
Key places that are closed
- Federal, state, and local government offices (including courts) close in observance of the federal holiday.
- Most public schools and many universities close for the day, though some colleges hold special events or service projects instead of regular classes.
- Banks and credit unions that follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule are closed, so ināperson banking and many call centers pause until Tuesday.
- U.S. stock markets (like the NYSE and Nasdaq) close for trading on MLK Day.
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS) post offices are closed and regular mail delivery is paused for the day.
- Most UPS services (pickup, delivery, and many UPS Store locations) are suspended or closed for the holiday.
In practical terms, if itās run by the government or tied to the banking/market calendar, plan on it being closed for MLK Day.
What usually stays open
- Most major retailers (Walmart, Target, Costco, grocery chains, homeāimprovement stores, etc.) stay open, often on regular hours, though exact times can vary by location.
- Many restaurants and fastāfood chains operate as normal, sometimes even leaning into āday of serviceā promotions or community events.
- National parks stay open, though recent policy changes mean MLK Day is not always a freeāadmission day anymore, and some states choose to offer their own freeāentry programs.
Quick planning tips
- Check online or call ahead for:
- Local school districts and colleges (some run special schedules).
* Smaller businesses, clinics, and local services, which can choose whether to close or operate normally.
- Expect:
- No regular mail and no standard bank services.
- Most shopping, dining, and everyday errands to be doable as usual.
Bottom line: On MLK Day, think āgovernment, banks, and markets closed; stores, restaurants, and most private businesses largely open.ā
