Banks Closed New Year’s Day: Is Anything Open January 1? Here’s The List
Banks close early on New Year’s Eve and will remain closed on January 1, but that doesn’t mean everything will be closed on the first federal holiday of 2015. Retail stores and restaurants will be open regular hours on New Year’s Day, but banks, credit unions, and the post office will close early on December 31 and won’t reopen again until January 2.
Most businesses, including Target, Walmart, Costco, and a variety of chain restaurants will be in full operation on New Year’s Day. However, state and federal offices, banks, federal courts, libraries, schools, and the stock market will all be closed on Thursday. There will also be no mail delivery, social security offices will be closed, and, according to PennLive, you won’t be able to renew your license or get new plates for that car Santa brought you — the Department of Motor Vehicles (RMV or DMV) in every state will be closed on January 1.
New Year’s Day is typically a great day to find sales, so your favorite retail stores and malls will be open normal business hours on Thursday after closing up early on New Year’s Eve. Shoppers won’t go hungry while they’re hunting down bargains — the International Business Times reports that over 25 chain restaurants, including Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Olive Garden, and Golden Corral will be open all day on Thursday. There’s bad news, however, for Chipotle fans — they are giving their employees a break and will be closed all day on January 1.
Most of our restaurants close early on 12/31 and all day on New Years Day. Happy New Year! -Joe pic.twitter.com/DPAmN9aCYJ
— Chipotle (@ChipotleTweets) December 30, 2014
There always seems to be a bit of confusion over what’s open and what’s closed on the holidays, and that’s totally understandable. Christmas is just about the only holiday that the majority of retail stores close for the day, but for the most part, just about everything non-government related is open on the other nine holidays.
State and federal offices that are consistently closed on government holidays include the post office, DMV, federal courts, Social Security offices, and the IRS. Most schools and libraries also follow the federal holiday schedule, but some private schools stay open.
The majority of banks are closed as well, but there are some exceptions on days other than Christmas and New Year’s — many banks leaving grocery store branches open on Columbus Day and Veterans Day. The stock market is closed on 9 of the 10 government holidays, staying open bell to bell on Veterans Day.
Still confused about what’s open and what’s closed on federal holidays? Worry about it next year. For now, get ready to watch the 2015 Times Square Ball drop and raise a toast to a Happy New Year.
