Veterans Day 2026: What Is Open and Closed on November 11, Plus Deals for Veterans

Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11. Post offices are closed and there is no regular mail delivery. Most banks and the Federal Reserve are closed, but ATMs and online banking still work. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open, while the bond market is closed. Many restaurants and stores offer free meals and discounts to veterans and service members with proof of service.

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Americans will pause next month to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, and like every federal holiday, it means some services will be closed while others carry on as normal.

Because the holiday lands in the middle of the week this year, many people may be caught off guard by closed post offices and banks.

Here is your guide to Veterans Day 2026, including what is open and closed, what it means for mail and banking, and the deals many businesses offer to veterans.

When Is Veterans Day 2026?

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, no matter what day of the week it falls on. In 2026, that is a Wednesday.

Unlike many federal holidays, Veterans Day is not moved to a Monday, which is why Veterans Day 2026 lands midweek. The date marks the end of fighting in World War I, which stopped at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Is the Post Office Open on Veterans Day 2026?

No. On Veterans Day 2026, United States Postal Service post offices are closed on Veterans Day, and there is no regular mail delivery.

Priority Mail Express may still be delivered in some areas, but most mail will arrive one day later than usual. If you need to send something important, plan to mail it by Tuesday, November 10.

UPS and FedEx usually operate normally on Veterans Day, though some services may be adjusted. Check with your carrier if you are sending a package.

Are Banks Open on Veterans Day 2026?

Most banks are closed. The Federal Reserve is closed on Veterans Day, so many major banks also close their branches, including large national chains.

However:

• ATMs still work.
• Online and mobile banking still work, though transfers may not process until the next business day.
• Some smaller banks and credit unions may stay open, so check with yours.

If you have a bill due, make the payment a day or two early so it is not delayed by the holiday.

Is the Stock Market Open on Veterans Day?

Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open on Veterans Day 2026 for normal trading hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

The bond market is closed, following the recommendation of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

What Is Open and Closed on Veterans Day 2026

Service	Status
Federal government offices	Closed
US Postal Service	Closed, no regular mail
Federal Reserve	Closed
Most banks	Closed (ATMs and online banking work)
Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq)	Open
Bond market	Closed
UPS and FedEx	Usually open
Public schools	Depends on district
State and city offices	Depends on location
Most stores and restaurants	Open
Grocery stores	Open
Trash collection	Usually normal, check locally

Are Schools Closed on Veterans Day?

Whether schools close on Veterans Day 2026 depends on where you live. Many school districts close for Veterans Day, while others stay open and hold assemblies or lessons to honor veterans. Some colleges and universities also stay open.

Check your school district’s calendar to be sure.

Are Government Offices Open?

Federal offices are closed. State and local offices vary. Some states treat Veterans Day as a full holiday and close courts, DMVs and city halls, while others stay open. If you need to visit a government office that week, call ahead or check its website.

Veterans Day Free Meals and Deals

Many restaurants and businesses offer free meals, discounts and special offers to veterans and active duty service members on Veterans Day. Offers change every year, and some are only available at participating locations, so always check with the business before you go.

In past years, chains that have offered Veterans Day deals have included:

• Restaurants: Applebee’s, Chili’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, IHOP, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin and Texas Roadhouse have often offered free meals or discounts.
• Coffee and snacks: Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme have run offers in some years.
• Retail: Many stores, including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target, offer military discounts all year, and some add extra savings around Veterans Day.

Because Veterans Day 2026 is two weeks before Black Friday, some retailers also start holiday deals around the same time, giving shoppers a chance to combine military discounts with early holiday sales.

What Proof Do You Need for Veterans Day Deals?

Most businesses ask for some proof of service. Accepted forms usually include:

• A military ID or Uniformed Services ID card
• A Veterans Health Identification Card
• A Veteran ID Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs
• A driver’s license with a veteran designation (in many states)
• A DD 214 discharge document
• A photo of yourself in uniform, at some restaurants

Rules vary, so it is a good idea to carry more than one form, just in case.

Tips for Using Veterans Day Deals

1. Check offers in advance. Most chains post their Veterans Day deals a week or two ahead.
2. Go early. Restaurants can get very busy on November 11, especially at lunchtime.
3. Ask about dine in rules. Many free meal offers are for dine in only.
4. Look beyond November 11. Some businesses offer deals all week or give a voucher to use later.
5. Use year round discounts. Many stores offer military discounts every day, not just on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day 2026 and Your Money

Because Veterans Day 2026 falls on a Wednesday, it can affect payments in the middle of the week. Here is what to keep in mind:

• Paychecks and direct deposits due on November 11 may arrive a day later if your bank is closed. Some employers pay a day early instead, so check with yours.
• Bank transfers made on the holiday will usually be processed on Thursday, November 12.
• Mortgage, rent and loan payments that are due on the holiday are usually treated as on time if paid on the next business day, but check your lender’s rules.
• Social Security and VA benefit payments are not normally scheduled for November 11, so most people will not see any change.
• Card payments in stores and online work as normal.

Is Costco Open on Veterans Day?

Most big retailers, including Costco, Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s, are usually open on Veterans Day with normal hours. Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations also stay open. Some smaller local businesses may close or change their hours, so it is worth calling ahead.

Veterans Day vs Memorial Day: What Is the Difference?

People often confuse the two holidays.

Veterans Day	Memorial Day
November 11	Last Monday in May
Honors everyone who has served	Honors those who died in service
Began as Armistice Day in 1919	Began after the Civil War as Decoration Day

Veterans Day thanks all veterans, living and dead, for their service. Memorial Day remembers those who gave their lives while serving.

How Veterans Day Began

Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, first marked by President Woodrow Wilson in November 1919, one year after the end of World War I. It became a legal federal holiday in 1938.

In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

For a few years in the 1970s, the holiday was moved to a Monday in October. But because November 11 has such strong historical meaning, it was returned to its original date in 1978.

You can read more about the history and official events on the Department of Veterans Affairs news site.

How Many Veterans Are There in the US?

There are roughly 16 million veterans living in the United States today, according to government estimates. The number has been falling for decades as the large generations who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam grow older.

Veterans from more recent conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan, now make up a growing share of the total.

Ways to Honor Veterans on Veterans Day 2026

You do not need to be a veteran to take part in Veterans Day 2026. Simple ways to mark the day include:

• Attend a local parade or ceremony. Many towns hold events, and the national ceremony takes place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where the president or vice president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
• Thank a veteran you know, or write a letter to a veteran or service member.
• Volunteer with a veterans group or a local VA hospital.
• Donate to a trusted charity that supports veterans and their families.
• Fly the flag at your home.

Veterans Day 2026 Events to Watch

The main national event is the National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, which usually starts at 11 a.m. Eastern Time with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a ceremony in the Memorial Amphitheater. It is typically shown live online.

Big cities also hold parades. New York City hosts one of the largest Veterans Day parades in the country, along Fifth Avenue, with thousands of marchers, bands and veterans groups taking part each year. Many smaller towns hold their own parades and ceremonies at local memorials.

Check your local news or city website for events near you on Veterans Day 2026.

Remembrance Day in the UK and Europe

November 11 is also an important date in the UK, Canada, France, Belgium and many other countries.

In the UK, it is known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. A two minute silence is held at 11 a.m. on November 11. The main national service takes place on Remembrance Sunday, which in 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, at the Cenotaph in London, attended by the royal family and political leaders.

Many people in the UK wear a red poppy in the weeks before, to remember those who died in war. In France and Belgium, November 11 is a public holiday, with ceremonies across the country.

Veterans Day 2026: Quick Facts

Fact	Detail
Date	Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Federal holiday	Yes
Post office	Closed
Banks	Mostly closed
Stock market	Open
Bond market	Closed
National ceremony	Arlington National Cemetery
UK Remembrance Sunday	Sunday, November 8, 2026

For more background on the holiday around the world, see the Veterans Day Wikipedia page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Postal Service, SIFMA, Fresh Calendars, Royal British Legion