Unlike many countries that celebrate Labour Day on May 1st, the United States observes its holiday on the first Monday of September. Symbolically marking the end of summer, the American holiday is less focused on political demonstrations than its international counterpart. Instead, it has become a day for families to enjoy parades, barbecues, baseball games, and beach trips.
The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, when over 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Square, followed by a concert and a community picnic.
As the nation prepares for the federal holiday, here is a guide to which services and stores will be open or closed.
Government Services and Financial Institutions
As a federal holiday established by Congress, Labor Day guarantees a day off for federal employees. Consequently, all federal, state, and local government offices, courts, public libraries, and schools will be closed. Municipal services, such as trash collection, will also be suspended for the day.
Both the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ will be closed, resuming normal operations on Tuesday. The vast majority of bank branches will also be closed, though ATMs and mobile banking apps will remain available for basic transactions.
Retail and Grocery Stores
- Costco: Warehouses will be closed.
- Sam’s Club: Stores will be open with limited hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members.
- Walmart: Stores are expected to be open during normal hours (typically 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), but customers should verify hours with their local store.
- Target: Stores will be open, with operating hours varying by location.
- Grocery Chains: Major chains such as Kroger, Publix, and Food Lion will operate on a normal schedule. Others, including Trader Joe’s and Aldi, will be open but may have reduced hours depending on the location.
- Discount & Department Stores: Retailers including TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and HomeGoods will be open but are expected to close early at 8 p.m. JCPenney will operate on a reduced schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pharmacies
Major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens will remain open. However, while the main storefronts will operate, pharmacy counters for prescription services may have limited hours. Customers are advised to check with their specific location.
Mail and Package Delivery
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not deliver mail or operate post offices on Labor Day. Additionally, most services from private carriers like FedEx and UPS will be unavailable, with the exception of certain critical delivery options.
