When is Labor Day 2026? Date, weekend and what is open or closed
Labor Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7. See the long-weekend dates and what to expect from federal offices, mail, banks, markets, stores and schools.
Labor Day 2026 date and weekend
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management lists Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026. The holiday is always observed on the first Monday in September, so its calendar date changes from year to year.
For people who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off, the Labor Day weekend runs from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. Regular federal schedules resume Tuesday, September 8, although individual employers and services can use different hours.
- Saturday, September 5: first day of the holiday weekend
- Sunday, September 6: weekend day
- Monday, September 7: Labor Day federal holiday
- Tuesday, September 8: normal weekday schedules generally resume
What is closed on Labor Day?
Nonessential federal government offices are closed because Labor Day is one of the federal holidays established by law. State and local government offices frequently close as well, but their calendars are set separately.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq list Monday, September 7 as a 2026 market holiday. U.S. stock trading therefore pauses for the full day and resumes on Tuesday under the normal schedule.
- Nonessential federal offices
- NYSE and Nasdaq stock trading
- Federal Reserve Banks and branches
- Most public schools, colleges and government-run libraries
- Many state and local government offices
Does USPS deliver mail on Labor Day?
Regular U.S. Postal Service retail windows and ordinary mail delivery are unavailable on Labor Day. Mail placed in a collection box may remain there until the next scheduled pickup, so time-sensitive items should be mailed before the holiday weekend.
USPS online tools and some self-service kiosks can remain available, but purchasing a label online does not mean a package will move through the normal delivery network that day. Priority Mail Express operates under separate holiday rules and availability can depend on the destination.
Are banks open on Labor Day?
Federal Reserve Banks and branches observe Labor Day, and most commercial bank branches and credit unions close. ATMs, card payments and mobile banking normally remain available, but a transaction may not settle until the next business day.
A bank can choose its own branch schedule. Customers who need a teller, wire transfer, cashier's check or other time-sensitive service should confirm the branch's hours and complete the transaction before Friday, September 4 when possible.
What may stay open?
Labor Day does not require private retailers, restaurants or entertainment businesses to close. Many supermarkets, pharmacies, shopping centers, movie theaters and restaurants open, and some run holiday promotions. Hours can be shortened and pharmacies inside open stores may follow a separate schedule.
Private delivery companies, urgent-care centers and transit systems publish their own holiday plans. Do not assume that a business is open—or closed—because another location in the same category is. Check the official store locator, app or local schedule shortly before visiting.
- Many grocery stores and large retailers
- Many restaurants and coffee shops
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Movie theaters and tourist attractions
- Emergency rooms and essential public-safety services
Are schools closed?
Most U.S. public schools and colleges do not hold regular classes on Labor Day, but there is no single national school calendar. Private schools, universities, child-care centers and after-school programs may make different decisions.
Families should use the calendar published by their school district or institution. Some schools also close on Friday or schedule staff-development days around the long weekend, but those extra days are local choices rather than part of the federal holiday.
What Labor Day commemorates
Labor Day recognizes the social and economic contributions of American workers and the labor movement. Congress made it a legal federal holiday in 1894 after many states and cities had already begun holding worker parades and public celebrations.
The weekend is often treated as the unofficial end of summer in the United States, but the holiday's central purpose is to honor workers. Parades, community events, travel and end-of-season sales are common modern traditions.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Labor Day in 2026?
Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026.
Is Labor Day always the first Monday in September?
Yes. U.S. law places Labor Day on the first Monday of September every year.
Is the post office open on Labor Day 2026?
Regular USPS retail counters and ordinary mail delivery are closed for the federal holiday. Limited self-service and online tools may still be available.
Is the stock market open on Labor Day?
No. The NYSE and Nasdaq are closed on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Are grocery stores open on Labor Day?
Many are open, but individual locations may use reduced hours. Check the store's official local schedule.
When is Labor Day 2027?
Labor Day 2027 will be Monday, September 6.
Sources
Primary and official references used for this guide:
Published August 9, 2026 · Reviewed for clarity and source accuracy.