The quickest way to know right now
The US federal government observes 11 holidays each year on fixed dates or set days of the week. If today is one of those dates, it is a federal holiday. The fastest way to check is to look at the current date against the official list: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), and Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November).
If today matches one of those dates, federal offices are closed and most federal employees do not work. However, "federal holiday" and "bank holiday" are not the same thing. Banks follow their own closure schedule, which overlaps with federal holidays but is not identical to it.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 federal holidays fall on fixed dates or specific days of the week each year, and you can check today's date against the official list yourself.
- Federal holidays and bank holidays are different: banks may close on federal holidays but also close on other days, and some federal holidays do not close all banks.
- The Federal Reserve publishes its own holiday schedule, which determines when the banking system itself shuts down for wire transfers and clearing.
- Individual banks may observe additional holidays beyond the Federal Reserve schedule, so checking your own bank's calendar is the only way to know if your branch is open today.
Federal holidays versus bank closures
A federal holiday means the US government offices are closed and federal employees are off work. It does not automatically mean your bank is closed. Banks are private institutions and set their own hours, though they coordinate with the Federal Reserve on when the banking system itself stops processing payments.
The Federal Reserve closes on the 11 federal holidays plus Christmas Day (December 25), which means wire transfers, ACH payments, and check clearing do not happen on those days. However, your individual bank branch may stay open on some federal holidays, or may close on days that are not federal holidays. A bank might stay open on a federal holiday to serve customers, or might close on a day the Federal Reserve is open if that bank chooses to observe a regional holiday or a holiday of its own.
How to check your specific bank's schedule
The only reliable way to know if your bank is open today is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly. Most banks publish their holiday hours online, usually under a "Hours" or "Locations" section. You can also search "[your bank name] holiday hours" to find the page quickly.
When you call, ask specifically about today's date. Do not assume that because a holiday is federal, your bank is closed, or that because it is not a federal holiday, your bank is open. Some banks close on regional holidays or on days that matter to their customer base — for example, a bank in a city with a large Jewish population might close on Yom Kippur even though it is not a federal holiday.
The Federal Reserve's closure schedule
The Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule each year on its website. On days the Fed is closed, the banking system does not process wire transfers, ACH transfers, or check clearing. This matters if you are sending money and need it to arrive on a specific day — a wire sent on a Federal Reserve holiday will not move until the next business day.
The Federal Reserve closes on: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This is one more holiday than the standard federal list because the Fed also observes Christmas.
What happens to your money on a bank holiday
If your bank branch is closed today, you can still use ATMs and online banking. Deposits made at an ATM or through a mobile app will be processed, but the timing depends on whether the Federal Reserve is also closed. If the Fed is closed, the deposit will not clear until the next business day the Fed is open.
Checks deposited on a bank holiday will not clear until the next business day, and possibly longer depending on the check's origin. Wire transfers initiated on a bank holiday will not leave your account until the next day the Federal Reserve is open. ACH transfers (like direct deposits or bill payments) scheduled for a bank holiday will process on the next business day instead.
Regional and state holidays that affect banks
Some states observe holidays that are not federal holidays, and banks in those states may close on those days. For example, some banks in Texas close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and some banks in Hawaii close on Prince Kuhio Day (March 26). These closures vary by bank and by region within a state.
If you live in a state with a state holiday today, check your bank's specific schedule rather than assuming the closure applies to you. A bank in your state might not observe the state holiday, or a bank outside your state might if it has branches there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit go through if today is a bank holiday?
If today is a Federal Reserve holiday, your direct deposit will process on the next business day instead. If today is a bank holiday but not a Federal Reserve holiday, your bank may still process it on schedule. Check your bank's website or call to confirm whether they are closed today.
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs work on bank holidays because they are automated machines, not staffed branches. You can withdraw money, check your balance, and deposit checks at an ATM even if your bank branch is closed.
What if I need to wire money today and it is a Federal Reserve holiday?
The wire will not leave your account until the next business day when the Federal Reserve is open. If you initiated the wire before the holiday, tell the recipient the money will arrive the day after the holiday, not today.
Is Christmas Day always a bank holiday?
The Federal Reserve closes on Christmas Day every year, so the banking system does not process payments. However, some individual banks may stay open on Christmas Day if they choose to. Check your bank's schedule to be certain.
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
No. All banks coordinate with the Federal Reserve on the 11 federal holidays plus Christmas, but individual banks may close on additional days or stay open on some federal holidays. Your bank's schedule is what matters for your account.