What's open on Armed Forces Day 2027?
Armed Forces Day is not a public holiday, next on Saturday, May 15, 2027. Here is what is open and closed: post office, banks, stock market, government offices, schools and stores.
| Service | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Post Office (USPS) | Open | Regular Saturday delivery and window hours; the observance has no effect. |
| Banks | Varies | Normal Saturday schedules; branches that open Saturdays keep their usual hours. |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Closed | Markets are closed every Saturday; the observance itself changes nothing. |
| Federal offices | Closed | Closed as on any Saturday; Monday reopens on a normal schedule. |
| State and local government | Closed | Standard weekend closure; no state observes it as a public holiday. |
| Public schools | Closed | No classes on Saturdays; some JROTC and band units march in parades. |
| Retail stores and malls | Open | Normal Saturday hours; military discounts are common. |
| Restaurants and grocery stores | Open | Normal weekend hours; busy near bases hosting open houses. |
Why these close and others do not
Three separate rules decide what shuts on any given American holiday, and they do not always agree. The federal list in 5 U.S.C. § 6103 governs federal offices, federal courts and the U.S. Postal Service, and the Federal Reserve follows the same calendar — which is why banks close on federal holidays and stay open on state-only ones. State holiday statutes are separate: each state legislature sets its own list for state employees, courts, DMV offices and usually public schools, so a day can be a paid holiday in Texas and an ordinary Tuesday in Ohio. Private employers answer to neither - no federal law requires any private business to close or to pay a premium for holiday work, so retailers, restaurants and offices set their own policies, and most stay open with reduced hours on all but a handful of days.
Armed Forces Day is an observance rather than a public holiday, so none of the thre rules force a clousre. Anything that shuts does so by choice. The stock market keeps its own calendar again: the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq close for nine of the eleven federal holidays plus Good Friday, but trade normally on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, when the bond market closes and the equity market does not.
Hours vary by location and year. Check with the branch or office before you go. For dates through 2027 and the history, see the main Armed Forces Day page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the post office open on Armed Forces Day?
Yes. Regular Saturday delivery and window hours; the observance has no effect.
Are banks open on Armed Forces Day?
It depends. Normal Saturday schedules; branches that open Saturdays keep their usual hours.
Is the stock market open on Armed Forces Day?
No. Markets are closed every Saturday; the observance itself changes nothing.
Are federal offices open on Armed Forces Day?
No. Closed as on any Saturday; Monday reopens on a normal schedule.
Are state offices, courts and the DMV open on Armed Forces Day?
No. Standard weekend closure; no state observes it as a public holiday.
Are schools open on Armed Forces Day?
No. No classes on Saturdays; some JROTC and band units march in parades.
Are stores open on Armed Forces Day?
Yes. Normal Saturday hours; military discounts are common.
Are restaurants and grocery stores open on Armed Forces Day?
Yes. Normal weekend hours; busy near bases hosting open houses.