Breaking: What’s open on New Year’s Day 2026, and what it means for your money
Markets are dark, mail trucks are parked, and Main Street is running on holiday time. Today’s closures and limited hours matter for cash flow, deliveries, and the first trades of 2026. Here is the clear, business-first rundown, plus what to watch when markets flip back on tomorrow.
Markets and money today
U.S. stock exchanges are closed today. The NYSE and Nasdaq will reopen on the next business day, Friday, January 2. The U.S. bond market is closed as well. There is no regular trading or settlement today. That pauses portfolio moves and pushes orders into Friday’s open.
Banks follow the federal holiday schedule. Most branches are closed. ATMs and mobile banking work, but in-person services wait until Friday. Wire transfers and check deposits can face a one day delay. Cash-heavy businesses should plan pickups and drops tomorrow.
The federal government is closed for the holiday. That includes the U.S. Postal Service. There is no regular mail delivery or retail counter service. UPS and FedEx largely pause, with urgent services only. Expect a backlog effect into Friday’s routes.
Payroll, bill payments, and transfers set for today will post next business day. Build in one extra day of float.
Retail, groceries, and pharmacies
Holiday demand does not stop, it shifts. Big-box stores are open with reduced hours. Walmart and Target locations are welcoming shoppers, but most close early. Drugstores are open, with CVS and Walgreens serving limited pharmacy hours. Many restaurants and coffee shops are pouring, but on shortened schedules. Membership clubs and some specialty grocers are commonly closed, including Costco and Trader Joe’s.
Why it matters: gift card redemptions and returns begin now. That data feeds January sales, which set the tone for retail stocks. Lower hours today can push foot traffic into Friday and the weekend. Watch for a strong start to January promotions and clearance, a margin test for chains.
- Generally open with limited hours: big-box retailers, most supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations
- Commonly closed: membership warehouse clubs, some specialty grocers, independent boutiques
- Open, but variable: restaurants, coffee shops, local gyms, mall tenants
- Closed for the holiday: banks, government offices, NYSE, Nasdaq, bond market, USPS retail
Pharmacy counters often close earlier than the front of store. Call ahead for prescription pickups.
Transit and city checks
Public transit is running, but on a Sunday or holiday timetable in most cities. Expect longer waits and reduced frequency. Airports are busy, as holiday returns mix with winter travel. Rideshare prices can swing around events and parade closures.
New York City
Subways and buses run on a Sunday schedule. Many commuter rail lines follow holiday service. Some street parking rules are suspended. Meter rules vary by zone. Check MTA and city updates before you drive.
Los Angeles
Metro rail and bus are on a holiday timetable. Airport routes are active, but less frequent. Many city offices and libraries are closed. Trash pickup shifts by one day this week.
Chicago
CTA runs Sunday service. Metra uses a holiday schedule. City parking enforcement is lighter in many areas. Museums and attractions may open late. Expect shorter shopping hours downtown.
Dallas and Houston
Local transit uses reduced service. Suburban routes may be limited. Most grocery stores open with shortened hours. Big-box stores close early.
Miami
Metrorail and Metrobus operate on holiday service. Beach areas see event traffic. Restaurants open later for brunch, then close early.
Check your local transit agency or retailer’s site before you head out. Hours vary by neighborhood, and some stores use unique holiday schedules.
What today means for Friday trading
The first full trading day of the year lands tomorrow. Liquidity can be thin at the open. Fresh cash, new allocations, and tax reset flows often hit in the first week. That can lift small and mid cap names after December tax selling. Use care if you plan to place market orders at the bell.
Retail and travel read-throughs start now. Returns, gift card use, and early January discounting will shape Q1 guidance. Watch apparel, home goods, and off-price chains for signs of healthy traffic. Airlines and hotels could get a lift from steady load factors, but winter weather risk is real. Energy traders will track gasoline demand and heating fuel use into the next inventory reports.
Fixed income opens into a clean calendar. Treasury auctions and the first jobs and inflation reads of 2026 are due soon. Today’s bank closure means no corporate issuance, so Friday could see a busy new issue slate. Spreads can gap on thin early flows.
For individual investors, today is a setup day. Revisit cash needs, rebalance targets, and new year contribution plans. Make a list now, act when the tape is live tomorrow.
Conclusion
New Year’s Day slows the system, but it does not stop it. Stores open shorter hours, banks and markets rest, and transit runs light. The pause compresses activity into Friday’s open, where volume and volatility can pop. Plan your errands with care, and plan your trades with limits and patience. The first prints of 2026 are just hours away.
