If you’re sitting there on Wednesday night trying to figure out if you can swing by the bank or check your stocks tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the answer depends entirely on where you’re standing. In the United States, it’s basically a normal workday for most of us. But if you’re doing business internationally or looking at specific state closures, things get a little weird.
Honestly, a lot of people get confused this week because it’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday. He was born on January 15, 1929. However, the federal holiday isn’t tomorrow. It’s actually on Monday, January 19. That’s when the "big" closures happen—post offices, federal courts, and major US banks.
Tomorrow? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
The Stock Market Shocker: India is Locked Down
If you trade on global exchanges, take note. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India have officially declared January 15, 2026, a trading holiday. This wasn't originally on everyone's calendar as a full shutdown, but revised circulars from the exchanges confirmed it.
Why the sudden halt? Maharashtra is holding municipal corporation elections. Because banking and clearing operations get disrupted during these massive local polls, the exchanges decided to just pull the plug for the day. This includes:
- Equities and debt segments
- Equity derivatives
- Commodity derivatives
- SLB (Securities Lending and Borrowing)
If you have derivatives expiring, you've likely already seen the maturity date preponed to today, January 14.
What Businesses Are Closed Tomorrow in the US?
Back home in the States, your local Walmart, Target, and Starbucks are going to be wide open. It is not a federal holiday. However, there are some hyper-local exceptions you should probably know about before you drive across town.
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Uttar Pradesh and Regional Festivals
For anyone working with offshore teams or international vendors, India isn't just closing for elections. January 15 is also a massive holiday for festivals like Pongal and Makar Sankranti. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered schools and government offices to stay closed tomorrow.
Banks in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Sikkim are also shuttered for Pongal. If you’re waiting on a wire transfer from a partner in Bangalore or Chennai, don’t expect it to move until Friday or even Monday.
US State-Level Quirks
In the US, January 15 remains a regular business day for the vast majority of sectors. But, here's the kicker: some state government offices or local municipalities sometimes hold "Humanitarian Day" observances or local events that might slightly affect service hours. Generally, though, your DMV and local library will be operating on their standard Thursday schedule.
Banks and Post Offices: The Monday Trap
The biggest misconception about what businesses are closed tomorrow stems from the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Since MLK Day is always the third Monday in January, people often forget that his actual birthday (tomorrow) isn't the day the mail stops.
- USPS: Delivering as usual.
- FedEx/UPS: Full service.
- Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA: Open for business.
- New York Stock Exchange (NYSE): Trading as normal.
If you’re planning a trip to the bank tomorrow, you're fine. If you’re planning it for Monday, you’re out of luck.
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Why Some Small Businesses Might Close Anyway
Don't be shocked if you see a "Closed" sign on a local mom-and-pop shop or a niche boutique tomorrow. January 15 is technically National Get to Know Your Customers Day (a quarterly thing) and National Bagel Day. While these aren't "stay at home" holidays, some small business owners use the middle of January—the ultimate "slow season"—to do inventory or take a mid-week breather before the MLK long weekend kicks in.
Actionable Steps for Tomorrow
Before you head out, do these three things to avoid a wasted trip:
- Check International Wires: If you're expecting money from India or Southeast Asia, assume it’s delayed until January 16 or 17 due to the Pongal holiday closures.
- Verify Local School Calendars: While most US schools are open tomorrow, some private or charter schools use the actual birth date of Dr. King for staff development days. Check your district's specific portal.
- Prep for Monday: Since tomorrow is a "false alarm" for closures, use the open banks and post offices tomorrow to handle any errands you were saving for the weekend. Everything will definitely be closed on Monday the 19th.
Basically, unless you're trading on the Mumbai exchange or trying to visit a government office in Lucknow, it's business as usual. Just keep an eye on those regional variations if you're working across state or national lines.