What Is Open & Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025? – What to Know

Americans across the country will pause to honor Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20. As some establishments close in recognition of the occasion, others will continue operating, making it essential to know what services will be available.

Monday, January 20, 2025, marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader's legacy. It is also recognized as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to engage in community improvement initiatives.

While some businesses and services will remain operational, others will observe the holiday by closing for the day. Here is a guide to what will be open and closed on this important day, which happens to coincide with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration this year.

According to USA Today, The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not operate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Post offices will remain closed, and no regular mail delivery will occur on Monday, January 20. Normal services will resume on Tuesday, January 21.

Major banks, including Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, CitiBank, Wells Fargo, PNC, and Truist, will be closed in observance of the holiday. Customers should plan their banking needs accordingly, as branches will not be accessible.

UPS will not offer pickup or delivery services on January 20. Many UPS Store locations are expected to be closed, so customers should check with individual stores for specific hours. However, UPS Express Critical services will remain available throughout the day for urgent shipping needs.

FedEx, on the other hand, will offer limited services. Some pickup and delivery services will operate, and FedEx Office locations are expected to stay open. Customers are advised to confirm local hours before visiting. FedEx Custom Critical services will also be available as usual.

Most major retailers and grocery stores, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Costco, and Sam’s Club, will remain open on MLK Day, as reported by CNN. Many restaurant chains will also be operational. However, it is always a good idea to check specific store and restaurant hours, as schedules may vary by location.

The path to establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday was neither quick nor easy. Just four days after King's assassination in April 1968, Democratic Congressman John Conyers introduced a bill to recognize his birthday as a national holiday. However, the legislation languished for years without sufficient congressional support.

For over a decade, civil rights advocates—including Coretta Scott King, King's widow—worked tirelessly to push the bill forward. They garnered public support, highlighted by a petition signed by more than six million people and musician Stevie Wonder's 1980 hit song, "Happy Birthday," which became an anthem for the movement.

Wonder also performed at a rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where King had delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech nearly two decades earlier.

Finally, after years of resistance, the bill passed both the House and Senate in 1983, 15 years after King's death. On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday was first observed on January 20, 1986.

Despite federal recognition, it took until the year 2000 for all 50 states to officially recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Some states initially resisted the holiday, with a few opting to combine it with other observances, such as Robert E. Lee Day, honoring the Confederate general.

In addition to honoring King's legacy as a civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.

Signed into law in 1994 as the King Holiday and Service Act, this initiative encourages Americans to engage in volunteer activities that improve their communities.

Congressman John Lewis famously described the day as "a day on, not a day off," inspiring people to participate in activities such as food drives, educational workshops, and community cleanups.

Organizations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture play a key role in these efforts, hosting events, donation drives, and interactive programs that reflect King's values of equality and service.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is marked by a variety of rituals and commemorations. In Atlanta, King's birthplace, the day often begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at his gravesite, followed by services at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he once preached.

These events serve as a model for national celebrations, often accompanied by speeches, marches, and volunteer initiatives.

Local communities across the country organize similar events, including parades, film screenings, and educational programs that reflect King's philosophy of nonviolence and social justice. In Washington, D.C., the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial serves as a focal point for reflection and celebration.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day provides an opportunity to honor the civil rights leader's enduring legacy while promoting service, unity, and equality. Whether through volunteering or simply understanding the day's significance, the holiday encourages all Americans to reflect on the values King stood for.