What's Open on Christmas Eve
| Date | Federal offices | Banks | Post offices | Stock market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 24, 2026Christmas Eve | Open | Open | Open | Closes earlyCloses early, 1:00 p.m. ET |
| Fri, Dec 24, 2027Christmas Eve | Closed | Open | Open | Closed |
Banks: most follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, but hours vary by bank and branch. Post offices: rules from the U.S. Postal Service; local hours vary. Stock market: the major US exchanges' published holiday calendar. Check with your bank, post office or agency.
The details
Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday by law. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday: federal offices, banks and post offices are open on their normal schedule (some close early), and the stock market closes early at 1:00 p.m. ET. Presidents have sometimes given federal employees the day off by executive order; none had been announced for 2026 when we last checked.
In 2027 the situation is different: Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, so Friday, December 24, 2027 is the federal day off. Federal offices and the stock market close that Friday, but the Federal Reserve Banks stay open, and most banks and post offices are expected to open too.
Sources: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Federal Holidays; Federal Reserve Board, Holidays Observed by the Federal Reserve System; New York Stock Exchange, holidays and trading hours; U.S. Postal Service newsroom, holidays. Checked October 17, 2026. Unofficial; hours vary by location.
Questions and answers
Is the post office open on Christmas Eve?
In 2026, yes, as a normal Thursday. In 2027 Christmas falls on Saturday; following the U.S. Postal Service rule used in 2026, post offices are expected to open on Friday, December 24, 2027. The official 2027 schedule had not been published when we checked.
Is the stock market open on Christmas Eve?
December 24, 2026: open until 1:00 p.m. ET. December 24, 2027: closed (the observed Christmas holiday).