USPS observes 11 holidays in 2026. On these dates, Post Office retail locations generally close and regular mail delivery pauses.
The main exception is Priority Mail Express, which may offer Sunday and holiday delivery in eligible locations depending on the destination and service commitment.
Below is the official 2026 USPS holiday schedule and what each closure means for your mail.
USPS Holidays in 2026
USPS publishes an annual Holidays and Events calendar.
The table below summarizes the 2026 dates and the effect on regular retail operations and regular mail delivery.
Important: Independence Day 2026
Independence Day falls on Jul 4, 2026.
For customers, USPS specifically stated that Post Offices would remain open and regular mail delivery would operate normally on Jul 3, 2026. Post Offices closed on Jul 4, 2026, with regular operations resuming afterward.
USPS employee holiday-leave rules may treat the preceding Friday differently for some employees, but that does not mean customer-facing Post Office operations closed on July 3.
How Do USPS Holidays Affect Mail Delivery?
USPS holidays affect more than retail counter hours.
They can also change when regular mail, packages, and time-sensitive shipments reach their destinations.
Regular mail usually pauses
Regular USPS mail is generally not delivered on the listed postal holidays. When a holiday falls on a weekday, normal delivery generally resumes on the next regular delivery day.
For example, USPS closed for Labor Day on Sep 7, 2026, and regular mail delivery resumed Sep 8, 2026.
Priority Mail Express can be different
Priority Mail Express is the principal USPS service with potential Sunday and holiday delivery.
USPS states that Priority Mail Express service is available 365 days a year in many locations, and eligible Sunday or holiday delivery may be purchased for an additional charge when available at the destination.
Availability depends on the shipment and destination, so check the service commitment rather than assuming every Priority Mail Express package will arrive on a holiday.
For more detail on Sunday delivery, see Does USPS Deliver on Sunday?
A holiday can shift the expected delivery day
If a regular mailpiece or package would normally reach its final delivery stage on a USPS holiday, delivery may instead occur on the next eligible delivery day.
Use USPS Tracking for a specific package, as the impact of a holiday depends on the mail class, destination, tracking status, and scheduled delivery date. If an item is delayed or missing, see Where Is My Mail?
Holiday closure does not always mean every USPS service is unavailable
When Post Office retail counters are closed, some USPS tools remain available online.
Customers may still be able to:
- Print eligible shipping labels.
- Purchase stamps online.
- Request Hold Mail.
- Submit a Change of Address.
- Manage eligible PO Box services.
- Track packages.
- Use an accessible self-service kiosk where available.
USPS also operates self-service kiosks at select locations, with some offering extended or 24-hour access.
If you use USPS Informed Delivery, you may also be able to review eligible incoming mail previews and package information associated with your account.
What Happens to Mail Around a Three-Day Holiday Weekend?
Monday holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day can create a longer gap between regular delivery days.
If you’re expecting an important item:
- Check its USPS tracking status before the holiday.
- Do not treat an estimated date as a guaranteed delivery date unless the specific service provides a guarantee.
- Allow for the next normal delivery day when regular delivery is paused.
- Check USPS Service Alerts if weather or another disruption occurs at the same time.
For time-sensitive mail, plan around the closure rather than assuming a local Post Office will offer normal retail or delivery service.
Is Every Federal or Public Holiday a USPS Holiday?
No. USPS publishes its own official holiday schedule. A cultural, state, religious, or other public observance does not automatically mean all Post Offices will close or regular nationwide mail delivery will stop.
For example, dates such as Halloween or Flag Day are not listed on the USPS 2026 national holiday calendar. When in doubt, use the current USPS Holidays and Events calendar rather than relying on a generic list of U.S. holidays.
How to Plan Mail Around USPS Holidays
Check the calendar before sending time-sensitive mail
Review upcoming USPS holidays before choosing a mailing date, particularly when a deadline falls immediately after a long weekend.
Track packages separately
A Post Office closure date does not provide the exact status of a specific package. Use the tracking number for shipment-level information.
For troubleshooting delayed mail, see Where Is My Mail?
Verify Priority Mail Express eligibility
If a shipment must arrive on a Sunday or holiday, confirm whether Priority Mail Express holiday delivery is available for the specific destination and service commitment.
Watch for local disruptions
Weather, emergencies, or facility problems can affect delivery even when the date is not a USPS holiday.
Check current USPS Service Alerts when conditions may affect an area.
Need to Know if Your Post Office Is Open Today?
This holiday guide is designed for the annual USPS closure calendar and holiday delivery schedule.
For current branch hours, today’s status, weekend hours, local services, and temporary closures, use Is the Post Office Open Today? USPS Hours & Status.
This separation is intentional: holiday dates are national schedule information, while local hours and real-time operating status can vary by facility.
How PostScan Mail Helps You Manage Mail Around Holidays
USPS holidays determine when USPS delivers mail. PostScan Mail does not control USPS holiday schedules or carrier delivery dates.
After an eligible mail item or package arrives at your selected PostScan Mail location and is processed, you can view it through your online mailbox and request the actions available under your plan and location.
Depending on the selected location and plan, available actions may include:
- Requesting a scan of eligible mail contents.
- Forwarding mail or packages.
- Storing physical items within applicable limits.
- Recycling or shredding eligible mail.
- Requesting local pickup where available.
This can make it easier to manage received mail when you’re traveling, working remotely, or away from the mailing address. Services, package acceptance, fees, forwarding options, storage, and local pickup vary by plan and location.
