An unexpected executive order from US President Donald Trump has created a unique situation for American workers in the final week of December. The order designates Friday, December 26, as a holiday for federal employees, leading to confusion about what services and businesses will remain operational the day after Christmas.
Why Is December 26 a Federal Holiday in 2025?
President Trump signed the order last week, directing the closure of executive branch departments and agencies on both Christmas Eve (December 24) and Friday, December 26. This move creates a rare five-day holiday stretch for many federal government workers. It is crucial to note that this is not a statutory holiday approved by Congress. The directive applies exclusively to executive branch federal offices and non-essential federal workers.
The order does not extend to private companies, state and local governments, or independent federal entities like the United States Postal Service (USPS). Consequently, while federal offices will be shut, a large part of the US economy is expected to function as usual.
What Remains Open on December 26?
For most Americans in the private sector, the day after Christmas is a regular business day. Here is a detailed look at the operational status of key services.
Financial Markets and Banking
US stock markets are open for trading. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will operate on a normal schedule on Friday, December 26. Trading had ended early on Christmas Eve and was closed on Christmas Day, with full activity resuming the day after.
Similarly, most banks across the country will be open. The Federal Reserve does not observe December 26 as a holiday, ensuring the core banking system functions normally. Major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank are open, offering standard services including transactions, wire transfers, and customer support.
Postal and Delivery Services
Postal services will not be interrupted. Since the executive order does not apply to the US Postal Service, all USPS offices and operations will run normally on December 26.
Private shipping giants FedEx and UPS have also resumed their standard operations. Both carriers are back to normal pickup and delivery services following the Christmas Day break, ensuring logistics and shipping networks function as usual.
What Is Closed on December 26?
Closures are primarily limited to the federal government's executive branch. This includes various federal offices, some federal buildings, and services where agency heads have designated roles as non-essential. Employees and citizens who rely on these specific federal services should plan accordingly for the day.
The situation highlights the distinction between federal administrative closures and the broader economic calendar, leaving much of the nation's commercial and financial activity unaffected by the presidential order.
