The fastest way to know if tomorrow is a bank holiday
The U.S. Federal Reserve and most banks observe the same nine federal holidays each year. If tomorrow falls on one of those dates, your bank will be closed and you won't be able to make deposits, withdrawals, or transfers in person. The quickest way to check is to call your bank's customer service line — they can tell you in under a minute whether they're open tomorrow.
If you need to know right now without calling, look at the list below. Federal holidays fall on the same dates every year, with one exception: when a holiday lands on a weekend, most banks observe it on the nearest weekday instead. This shift happens predictably, so you can check the actual observed date against tomorrow's calendar date.
Online banking and mobile apps usually work on federal holidays even when branches are closed, so you can still transfer money or pay bills. ATMs stay open. The closure only affects in-person services and the speed of processing for checks and external transfers.
Key Takeaways
- The nine federal holidays when banks close are New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks usually observe it on Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday.
- Your bank's website or a quick phone call to customer service will confirm whether they're open tomorrow.
- Online banking, bill pay, and ATM withdrawals work on federal holidays even when branches are closed.
- Some banks may have different holiday schedules than the Federal Reserve, so checking with your specific bank is more reliable than assuming.
The nine federal holidays when U.S. banks close
Banks observe these nine holidays on their standard dates unless the date falls on a weekend:
| Holiday | Standard Date | If on Saturday, observed | If on Sunday, observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Friday, December 31 | Monday, January 2 |
| MLK Jr. Day | Third Monday in January | N/A (always Monday) | N/A (always Monday) |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February | N/A (always Monday) | N/A (always Monday) |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | N/A (always Monday) | N/A (always Monday) |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Friday, June 18 | Monday, June 20 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Friday, July 3 | Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | N/A (always Monday) | N/A (always Monday) |
| Thanksgiving | Fourth Thursday in November | N/A (always Thursday) | N/A (always Thursday) |
| Christmas | December 25 | Friday, December 24 | Monday, December 26 |
Some holidays are always on a weekday by design — MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are all set to fall on Mondays. Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday. The others (New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Christmas) can land on any day of the week, which is why the observed date shifts when they fall on a weekend.
What actually closes on a federal holiday
Bank branches close on federal holidays, which means you cannot go inside to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or speak to a teller. The Federal Reserve itself also closes, which slows down the clearing of checks and wire transfers that depend on the Fed's processing.
What stays open: ATMs work normally. Online banking portals and mobile apps let you check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills. External transfers to other banks may process the next business day instead of when ready, but you can still initiate them.
Some banks offer limited services at certain locations on federal holidays — a few large banks keep select branches open on some holidays, though this is rare. Call your bank to ask whether any branches near you have holiday hours.
Why your bank might have a different holiday schedule
Not every bank follows the Federal Reserve's nine holidays. Some banks observe additional holidays that are meaningful to their region or customer base, or they may close on different dates for religious observances. Credit unions sometimes have their own schedules too.
The safest approach is to check with your specific bank rather than assuming. Most banks publish their holiday schedule on their website under "Hours" or "Locations," or you can call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. They can tell you whether they're open tomorrow in under a minute.
How to plan around a bank holiday
If you need cash or need to deposit a check before a bank holiday, do it the day before. Checks deposited on a federal holiday won't be processed until the next business day, so timing matters if you're counting on that money being available quickly.
For bill payments, use online bill pay a day or two early. If you're paying by check in the mail, account for the extra day the bank will be closed when calculating when the payment will arrive.
Wire transfers initiated on a federal holiday will process the next business day. If you're waiting for a wire to arrive, remember that a holiday in between will add a day to the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on federal holidays, and you can use your debit card to make purchases anywhere that accepts cards. The only thing that stops working is in-person services at the bank branch itself.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, does my bank close on Friday or Monday?
Most banks close on the nearest weekday. If the holiday is on a Saturday, they close on Friday. If it's on a Sunday, they close on Monday. Some banks may handle this differently, so check your bank's specific policy.
Will a check I deposit on a bank holiday clear the same day?
No. Checks deposited on a federal holiday won't be processed until the next business day. If the holiday is on a Friday, your check won't process until Monday. Deposit checks the day before if you need them cleared quickly.
Do online transfers work on federal holidays?
Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank work when ready. Transfers to other banks may process the next business day because the Federal Reserve is closed, but you can still initiate them on the holiday itself.
What if my bank is closed tomorrow but I need cash right now?
Use an ATM to withdraw cash. If you need a large amount and your ATM has a daily limit, you may need to wait until the branch reopens. Some banks allow you to increase your daily ATM limit through their mobile app or by calling customer service in advance.