Summary (tl;dr)

Google searches are surging today, December 26, 2025, as the public seeks clarity on whether post offices, banks, and the stock market are open. This widespread confusion stems from President Trump's executive order declaring the day a federal holiday for federal employees, while it remains a regular business day for many other services.

Essential Background

Traditionally, December 26th, also known as Boxing Day in many parts of the world, is not a permanent federal holiday in the United States. However, U.S. presidents have historically granted federal workers additional time off around Christmas. Christmas Day (December 25th) is a recognized federal holiday, resulting in widespread closures for government services, banks, and markets.

The Full Story

This year, President Trump issued an executive order designating both Christmas Eve (December 24) and December 26, 2025, as federal holidays specifically for federal employees, granting many a five-day holiday weekend. This executive action has led to considerable public inquiry regarding the operational status of various entities.

Despite the federal holiday for government workers, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is generally operating, with mail delivery and most post office locations open for regular business hours, following their closure on Christmas Day. Similarly, most major U.S. banks are open today, as December 26 is not observed as a holiday by the Federal Reserve system. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are also open for normal trading hours, having been closed only for Christmas Day. Conversely, some federal agencies are closed due to the executive order. Additionally, in some states like Kansas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, December 26 is observed as a state public holiday, leading to the closure of state government offices, some schools, and businesses.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords highlight the public's need for accurate, up-to-date information on service availability following a major holiday, especially when the holiday schedule is modified by an executive order affecting only a segment of the workforce. The distinction between federal employee holidays and the operating status of essential services like mail delivery, banking, and financial markets creates confusion for individuals planning their day-after-Christmas activities, including gift returns, financial transactions, and shipping.

Geographic Location

• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Presidential executive order issued affecting federal employees)
• New York City, New York, United States (Major U.S. stock exchanges, NYSE and Nasdaq, are open for trading)
• Kansas, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)
• New Hampshire, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)
• North Carolina, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)
• South Carolina, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)
• Texas, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)
• Virginia, United States (State observing December 26 as a public holiday)