Labor Day 2026 is Monday, September 7. Here’s what is open and closed today, whether banks and the post office are operating, and the history behind the U.S. holiday.
Labor Day is being observed across the United States today, Monday, September 7, 2026. The federal holiday honors the contributions and achievements of American workers and is observed on the first Monday of September each year.
For many Americans, however, the immediate question is more practical: What is open on Labor Day, and what is closed? Most major retailers, grocery stores and restaurants remain open, although individual locations can have different holiday hours. Federal services, banks and financial markets follow different schedules.
Here is what to know about Labor Day 2026, including today’s closures, store hours, the holiday’s history and why it is celebrated.
Labor Day 2026: Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is Labor Day 2026? | Monday, September 7 |
| Is Labor Day a federal holiday? | Yes |
| What does Labor Day celebrate? | The social and economic achievements of American workers |
| First Labor Day celebration | September 5, 1882, in New York City |
| When did it become a federal holiday? | 1894 |
| Are post offices open? | No |
| Is regular USPS mail delivered? | No |
| Are banks open? | Most branches are closed |
| Are U.S. stock markets open? | No |
| Are most stores open? | Yes, although hours can vary |
| Is Costco open? | No |
| Is Walmart open? | Generally yes |
| Is Target open? | Generally yes |
| Is Starbucks open? | Most locations are open, but hours vary |
Is Today Labor Day 2026?
Yes. Labor Day 2026 is today, Monday, September 7.
The holiday is always observed on the first Monday in September, so its date changes from year to year.
In 2025, Labor Day fell on September 1. In 2026, it falls on September 7, and in 2027 it will be September 6.
The U.S. Department of Labor describes Labor Day as an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
What Is Open on Labor Day 2026?
Most major retail stores, grocery chains and restaurants are open on Labor Day, although holiday schedules can differ by location.
Among the major retailers and grocery chains generally operating today are:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Trader Joe’s
- Meijer
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Best Buy
- IKEA
- TJ Maxx
- Bass Pro Shops
Individual stores can change their hours, so checking the local store before traveling is still recommended.
Is Walmart Open on Labor Day?
Yes, Walmart stores are generally open on Labor Day.
Local operating hours can vary, so shoppers should check their individual Walmart location.
Is Target Open on Labor Day?
Yes, Target stores are generally open on Labor Day.
Individual locations may have different holiday hours.
Is Costco Open on Labor Day?
No. Costco warehouses are closed on Labor Day.
Costco is one of the major retailers that observes the holiday with a full warehouse closure.
Is Trader Joe’s Open on Labor Day?
Yes, Trader Joe’s stores are generally open on Labor Day, although shoppers should check local hours.
Is Kroger Open on Labor Day?
Yes. Kroger stores are generally open on Labor Day. Pharmacy and clinic hours can differ from regular store hours.
Are Restaurants Open on Labor Day?
Many major restaurant and coffee chains remain open on Labor Day.
Chains that generally have locations operating include:
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Chipotle
- Chick-fil-A
- Dunkin’
- Wendy’s
However, restaurants are not required to follow identical schedules. Individual locations can open late, close early or operate normally.
Is Starbucks Open on Labor Day?
Most Starbucks locations are open on Labor Day, but hours vary by location.
Customers should check the Starbucks app or their local store for the exact holiday schedule.
Are Banks Closed on Labor Day?
Yes. Most bank branches are closed on Monday, September 7, because Labor Day is a federal holiday.
ATMs and online banking services generally remain available, but some transactions may not be processed until the next business day.
Bank hours can vary by institution and location, so customers with time-sensitive transactions should check with their bank.
Is the Post Office Open on Labor Day?
No. USPS Post Office locations are closed on Labor Day 2026.
The U.S. Postal Service has confirmed that all Post Office locations will be closed Monday, September 7, with regular mail delivery and retail services returning Tuesday, September 8.
Does Mail Run on Labor Day?
No. Regular USPS mail delivery does not run on Labor Day.
Regular services resume Tuesday, September 8.
Does UPS Deliver on Labor Day?
UPS holiday operations can differ by service, but regular pickup and delivery services are generally suspended on Labor Day.
Customers with an important package should check the UPS holiday schedule or tracking information for the latest status.
Does FedEx Deliver on Labor Day?
FedEx services can operate on modified holiday schedules. Customers should check their specific service and location before expecting a delivery.
Is the Stock Market Open on Labor Day?
No. U.S. stock markets are closed on Labor Day.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq do not operate regular trading sessions on Monday, September 7. Regular trading resumes Tuesday, September 8.
The U.S. bond market also observes the holiday.
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
Labor Day was created to recognize the contribution of American workers and the labor movement.
The holiday emerged during the late 19th century, when labor organizations were pushing for better working conditions and recognition of workers’ contributions to the country’s economic development.
The first Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on September 5, 1882.
The event was organized under the Central Labor Union and featured a labor parade followed by a festival.
Who Created Labor Day?
There is no completely settled answer to who deserves sole credit for creating Labor Day.
Two names are central to the history: Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire.
McGuire, a labor leader and later a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, has traditionally been credited with proposing a holiday for workers.
But historical research highlighted by the U.S. Department of Labor suggests that Matthew Maguire, a machinist and Central Labor Union leader, may have played the decisive role in proposing the holiday in 1882.
That is why modern accounts often describe the origins of Labor Day as disputed rather than assigning the holiday to one undisputed founder.
When Did Labor Day Become a Federal Holiday?
Labor Day became a national legal holiday in 1894.
By that point, many states had already adopted Labor Day celebrations. The U.S. Congress passed legislation establishing the first Monday in September as the holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28, 1894.
The federal law initially established the holiday for federal purposes. Over time, Labor Day became a statutory holiday throughout the United States.
Labor Day vs. May Day: Are They the Same?
No.
Although both holidays are associated with workers and labor movements, U.S. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September, while May Day/International Workers’ Day is observed on May 1 in many countries.
The two traditions developed from different historical movements and events.
The May 1 labor holiday became closely associated internationally with the labor movement and the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. U.S. Labor Day instead developed around the September labor celebrations that began in New York in 1882.
Why Is Labor Day Called the End of Summer?
Labor Day has also become known as the unofficial end of summer in the United States.
The three-day holiday weekend often marks the transition into the fall season. Schools resume classes around this period in many parts of the country, while fall sports begin their regular schedules.
Labor Day weekend is also associated with travel, cookouts, shopping and end-of-summer sales.
Why Are There So Many Labor Day Sales?
Labor Day has become one of the major retail shopping periods in the United States.
Retailers use the long weekend to promote discounts, particularly on:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Home improvement products
- Back-to-school items
That is why searches for Labor Day often include both holiday information and store hours or sales.
Labor Day 2026: What’s Closed Today?
The major closures to remember are:
Closed:
- U.S. Post Offices
- Regular USPS mail delivery
- Most bank branches
- U.S. stock markets
- Costco warehouses
- Many federal government offices
Generally open:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Trader Joe’s
- Most major grocery stores
- Most restaurants
- Most major retail chains
- Most Starbucks locations
Holiday schedules can vary by individual business, so local hours should always be checked before heading out.
Labor Day 2026: What You Need to Know
Labor Day is more than a day off or a major shopping weekend. The holiday began with the labor movement’s push to recognize American workers and eventually became a federal holiday in 1894.
Today, the practical side of the holiday is just as important for many people: stores are largely open, while post offices, most banks and U.S. financial markets are closed.
For anyone asking “Is today Labor Day?”, the answer is yes: Monday, September 7, 2026, is Labor Day in the United States.
