Are Post Offices open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26? What Trump’s New Holiday Order means for USPS

General
Micheal Olaleye
December 24, 2025
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Donald Trump. Picture: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

President Donald Trump’s decision to declare Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 as temporary federal holidays has raised widespread questions about what will be open or closed, particularly when it comes to U.S. Post Office operations. While the executive order grants additional paid time off for many federal workers, it does not automatically shut down essential services, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The order, signed on Dec. 18, extends the existing Christmas Day federal holiday into an extra-long weekend for federal employees. However, the impact on post offices, mail delivery, and shipping services differs significantly from other government offices.

Trump’s New Holiday Order: What Changed and What Didn’t

Trump’s executive order designates Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Dec. 26 as temporary federal holidays for 2025 only. The move applies exclusively to federal departments and agencies, meaning private companies, retailers, and even quasi-independent agencies like USPS are not automatically bound by the order.

To create a permanent federal holiday, Congress would need to pass legislation and the president would need to sign it into law. That process was last completed in 2021, when Juneteenth became a federal holiday under the Biden administration.

Will Post Offices Be Open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26?

Yes. According to the U.S. Postal Service, post offices will remain open on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Dec. 26, and mail will be delivered on both days.

USPS has confirmed that:

Post offices will be closed on Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
No regular mail delivery will occur on Dec. 25
Retail services and mail delivery will resume on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26

This means customers can still send mail, purchase postage, and access postal services on both days surrounding Christmas, despite Trump’s newly declared federal holidays.

Why USPS Is Not Fully Affected by Federal Holiday Orders

Although USPS is a federal entity, it operates as an independent agency with its own operational schedule. While it observes major holidays like Christmas Day, it does not automatically close for every federal holiday, especially those declared on a temporary or discretionary basis.

Some USPS employees may still receive administrative flexibility depending on local leadership, but post office closures are not expected outside Dec. 25.

How Banks, Retailers, and Other Services Compare

While post offices maintain regular service on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, other sectors are following traditional schedules:

Banks will be open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 and closed on Dec. 25
Major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Costco will close on Christmas Day only
Federal government offices may close on all three days depending on agency discretion

This distinction has caused confusion among Americans who assume federal holidays automatically affect USPS operations.

Trump’s Past Criticism of Federal Holidays Resurfaces

Trump’s decision to expand holiday time off has drawn attention because he has previously criticized the number of holidays in the U.S. In multiple Truth Social posts, he argued that excessive non-working holidays cost the economy billions of dollars and reduce productivity.

Despite those remarks, Trump has issued several symbolic or temporary holiday proclamations, including Victory Days for World War I and II and Gulf of America Day, in addition to this year’s expanded Christmas break.

Bottom Line for USPS Customers

For Americans relying on mail services during the holidays, the key takeaway is clear:

Post offices will only close on Christmas Day. If you need to mail packages, send documents, or visit a post office, Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 remain business as usual.

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