Veterans Day 2026: What's open, closed, and free for military members on Nov. 11

Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 — and while most Americans will go about their normal shopping routines without interruption, anyone counting on the post office, their bank branch, or a government office will need a backup plan. The federal holiday closes more of official Washington than it does Main Street.

Veterans Day has been observed on November 11 since President Woodrow Wilson established the holiday in 1919 to mark the end of World War I. Originally called Armistice Day, it was first celebrated nationally that year and formally recognized by Congress as a federal holiday in 1926. It has since expanded to honor all Americans who have served in the armed forces.

Here is what to expect from stores, services, and restaurants on November 11.

STORES: Open as usual. Most major retailers are operating on regular weekday hours. Walmart and Target confirmed normal business hours. Costco will be open per its holiday schedule. Grocery chains including Aldi, Kroger, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Publix, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, and Wegmans are all open. Walgreens confirmed it will welcome customers; CVS locations will be open, though some stores and pharmacies may have reduced hours, according to a company spokesperson. Retailers including Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, Kohl's, Macy's, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Belk are also listed as open. As always, confirm hours at your specific location before heading out.

BANKS: Closed. Major banks including Chase, Bank of America, TD Bank, M&T, and Santander will not have open branches on Wednesday. ATMs and online banking remain available, though Bank of America notes the holiday may affect how long certain transactions take to process. Branches reopen Thursday, November 12.

POST OFFICE: Closed. All USPS locations will be shut and there will be no mail delivery or pickup on November 11. Mailing and retail services resume Thursday, November 12, according to the USPS.

PRIVATE SHIPPERS: Open. UPS will pick up and deliver on Veterans Day during normal business hours, and UPS Store locations will be open. FedEx ground, express, and freight services will also run, though some may be modified or delayed — in some locations, FedEx may have early on-call pickups and drop box closures. FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations will be open.

STOCK MARKET: Open. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will operate during standard trading hours, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Veterans Day is not among the holidays observed by either exchange. The next scheduled market closure is Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26. Note that U.S. bond markets will not be open for trading on Veterans Day, according to today.com.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: Closed. Federal offices including Social Security offices, government-operated passport services, federal courts, and the IRS will be closed. Most DMV locations will also be closed, though hours vary by state. Certain state and local offices may operate — confirm locally. Most public schools are closed, though many colleges and universities remain open with regular classes.

For veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, the holiday also brings a wave of restaurant freebies and retail discounts. Most require a valid military ID.

VETERANS DAY DEALS — RESTAURANTS & RETAILERS: Applebee's is offering a complimentary full-size entree for active-duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members. Chili's is offering a free meal for veterans and active military. IHOP is offering a free breakfast that includes two buttermilk pancakes topped with fruit and whipped cream, eggs, hash browns, and a choice of bacon or pork sausage links. Wendy's is offering a free quarter-pound Dave's Single cheeseburger for veterans and active-duty military. Shake Shack is offering a free ShackBurger for active-duty military and veterans. Chipotle is offering free chips with guacamole, queso blanco, or salsa with a $5 purchase. Dave and Buster's is offering all-day unlimited game play and/or one free dessert item with the purchase of a qualifying entree. Starbucks is offering a free hot or iced coffee for veterans, military spouses, and active military members — orders must be placed at in-person locations or drive-thrus. Food Lion is offering a 10% discount for active-duty military and veterans. Publix is offering a 10% discount for veterans, active military, and their families. Additional deals can be found on the American Legion's website.

Many cities and communities are also holding parades, events, and ceremonies to honor veterans and their families on November 11.

Why it matters — Veterans Day 2026 falls mid-week, so knowing which services are running — and which freebies are available — helps veterans, military families, and everyday shoppers plan their Wednesday without surprises.

Reported by cbsnews.com, al.com, today.com