Honestly, trying to figure out what’s open on Veterans Day is a mess. Every year, people wake up on November 11 and realize they have no idea if they can mail a letter or if they’re going to be staring at a "Closed" sign at their local bank. It’s a federal holiday, sure, but it doesn't act like Christmas or Thanksgiving where the whole world just stops spinning for twenty-four hours. Basically, it’s a "patchwork" holiday. Some things are locked tight, while others are actually busier than a normal Tuesday.
If you’re wondering what's open on Veterans Day, the short answer is: almost every store you’d actually want to visit. Target, Walmart, and your local grocery store are likely operating on totally normal hours. But the moment you need a government service or a cashier’s check, you’re probably out of luck.
The Post Office and Banks: The Big "No"
You probably already guessed this, but the United States Postal Service takes the day off. No mail delivery. No retail counters. If you have a package that absolutely has to move, you’ll have to rely on UPS or FedEx, as those private carriers usually stay operational. It’s worth noting that even though the USPS is closed, many post office lobbies stay open so you can use the self-service kiosks.
Banks are the other big hurdle. Because most major financial institutions—think Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America—follow the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule, their physical branches will be closed. You can still use the ATM, obviously. And online banking works fine, but don't expect that check you deposited to clear until the following business day.
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- USPS: Closed (No regular mail)
- Most Banks: Closed (Federal Reserve holiday)
- Federal Courts: Closed
- DMV: Usually closed (state dependent)
Interestingly, the stock market doesn't follow the banks here. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq typically stay open for a full day of trading on Veterans Day. It’s one of those weird quirks of the American financial system where the people trading stocks are working while the people handling the bonds (the bond market is closed) are off.
Where You Can Actually Go Shopping
If you’re planning to hit the sales, you’re in luck. Most retailers see Veterans Day as a prime opportunity for "Pre-Black Friday" style promotions. Expect Target, Walmart, and Home Depot to be wide open. In fact, many of these places stay open specifically because they know people have the day off and want to get a head start on holiday shopping.
Grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods don't usually change their hours at all. If you need milk at 8:00 PM on November 11, you're fine.
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One thing that’s actually pretty cool: a lot of these businesses offer massive discounts or even freebies for veterans and active-duty military. We're talking free coffee at Starbucks, free bloomin' onions at Outback Steakhouse, or 10-20% off your entire grocery bill at places like Food Lion or Walgreens. You usually just need to show a military ID or a DD-214.
National Parks are Free
This is the best-kept secret of the holiday. The National Park Service waives entrance fees for everyone on Veterans Day. Whether you’re a veteran or not, you can get into places like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon for zero dollars. Just keep in mind that while the gates are open, some of the visitor centers or permit offices might be closed or running on skeleton crews if there’s a government budget issue or shutdown looming, which happens more often than anyone likes to admit.
Why the Confusion Happens
The reason people get so confused is that Veterans Day is a "fixed" holiday. It’s always November 11, unlike Memorial Day which slides around to create a long weekend. When November 11 falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the "holiday vibe" feels less official to private businesses.
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Also, don't confuse this with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is for those who died in service; Veterans Day is for everyone who served. Because of that distinction, Veterans Day tends to be more about "celebration and commerce" than the somber, quiet tone of late May.
Actionable Tips for Your Day
- Check the App: Before driving to a specific store, check their app. Google Maps is "okay," but it often uses "estimated hours" for holidays which can be wrong.
- Call the Pharmacy: Even if a big store like Walgreens is open, the pharmacy department inside often has different (shorter) hours on federal holidays.
- Bring Your ID: If you are a vet, keep your ID handy. Even places that don't advertise a discount will often give you one if you just ask politely.
- Plan Your Banking: Move your money or pay your bills by November 10 to avoid that "pending" limbo that happens when the Fed is closed.
If you’ve got errands to run, prioritize the post office and the bank today or wait until the 12th. For everything else—pizza, groceries, or a new pair of boots—you’re good to go.