Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on the third Monday in January, and in 2026, that’s on Jan. 19. It’s a day that offers a common dilemma for many families: many places look ‘open,’ while a few key systems go into pause mode.
Most retail tasks can still be carried out. Where the bigger disruption is, though, is in the mail, banking, and markets and also local transportation changes in cities that are hosting large public events.
1. Big-box stores usually operate on regular hours
Most of the larger retailers are open during the holiday, and that is why MLK Day is sometimes referred to as a normal shopping Monday. Costco stores are open during the holiday since it is not included in the list of closures for the warehouse chain, and consumers can check store hours using store finders. Target stores are also open.
2. Fast food and restaurant chains are normally always open
For commuters and families attempting to piece together a holiday schedule, most national food chains are open. McDonald’s is open, with hours of operation determined locally. Chick-fil-A is also open, and hours of operation can be confirmed through the app or by contacting the local restaurant.
3. Grocery shopping is widely available, but hours may change
Most grocery stores are open on the MLK Day, making it one of the easier federal holidays to make last-minute trips to the grocery store. Large grocery store chains that are likely to be open include Aldi, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, and Whole Foods.
Some roundups of store hours also include location-based hours for clubs and grocers such as Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and others; consumers will find the most benefit by checking the hours posted for the local store before heading out.
4. USPS stops the delivery and much more than delivery
The biggest planning challenge is always mail. The Postal Service halts deliveries and closes retail facilities for the holiday, with normal operations resuming the next day.
USPS also stops some in-building services on the holiday, such as no caller service or Post Office Box service. Some post offices remain open for self-service 24/7 through kiosks.
5. Private shipping can seem “open,” but the quality of service differs
Expectations for delivery differ by company. UPS does not pick up or deliver on MLK Day. Some UPS Stores are closed, and packages will be held until Tuesday.
FedEx has a reduced schedule in many areas, which may include limited pickup services and adjustments depending on the type of service. The key thing to remember is that “open” can still mean “slow” when it comes to time-sensitive packages.
6. Banks are normally closed due to the observation of the holiday by the Federal Reserve
Even when retail areas are filled with people, banking can be different. Banks close branches on MLK Day because it is a national holiday in the Federal Reserve system.
Online banking systems can still function, but physical transactions, some processing steps, and customer services may be limited depending on the bank.
7. The stock market closes for the session
Traders have a clear stop: U.S. markets are closed for MLK Day. Nasdaq’s holiday schedule indicates that MLK, Jr. Day (January 19) is closed, with regular market hours resuming the following day.
8. Urban transport could be impacted in the event of a massive march that is planned
Local events could also affect transit service even if stores are staying open. In San Francisco, a march is expected to draw 4,000 to 5,000 people, starting at 11 a.m. near Caltrain’s 4th and King Station and ending at Yerba Buena Gardens. Customers can also check reroutes and holiday schedules, which include Muni operating on a Saturday schedule. MLK Day is generally the easiest day to shop and dine, and the hardest day for anything that has to do with mail, banking, and markets. A quick check of local hours, especially for shipping counters, bank branches, and city transit alerts, will usually avoid the most common holiday day surprises.
