President Donald Trump delivered an early gift to the federal workforce, signing an executive order that effectively grants a five-day weekend to hundreds of thousands of government employees. The order, signed last Thursday, designates both Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 26, as federal holidays for 2025.
While the move is a boon for morale within the executive branch—closing nonessential agencies from Christmas Eve through the following Sunday—it creates a complex patchwork of operating hours for the private sector and quasi-governmental services.
“All executive departments and agencies of the federal government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and Friday, Dec. 26, 2025,” the executive order says, although it includes a crucial caveat allowing agency heads to keep offices open for “reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.”
While the move is generous, it’s not without precedent. Presidents often issue executive orders closing the government on Christmas Eve when it falls midweek. Trump did this in 2018, 2019, and 2020. President Barack Obama also closed the government on Dec. 26 in 2014. However, securing both surrounding days is a rarity. And crucially, Trump’s executive order does not legally compel banks, markets, or private enterprises to close.
With all that said, here’s what’s open and closed on Dec. 24:
Government services and mail
While most federal offices—such as Social Security Administration field offices and passport agencies—will be dark, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is an exception. Despite being a federal establishment, USPS operations are largely funded by revenue rather than tax dollars. Post offices are expected to remain open on Christmas Eve (likely with shortened retail hours) and resume normal operations on Dec. 26. Mail will be delivered on both days, though not on Christmas Day.
Financial markets
Wall Street is not taking the extra days off. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will operate on a modified schedule:
- Dec. 24: Open, with an early close at 1 p.m. ET.
- Dec. 25: Closed.
- Dec. 26: Open for a full trading day.
Banks
The Federal Reserve has not adopted the additional holidays for its banking operations. Consequently, most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) will remain open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26. Customers should expect branches to close early on the 24th, but online banking and ATMs will function normally.
Shipping and logistics
For businesses rushing last-minute inventory, carriers have diverged on their post-Christmas plans:
- FedEx: Expects to be fully operational on Dec. 26, though some freight services may run on a modified schedule.
- UPS: Has announced no pickup or delivery service for Dec. 26, treating it effectively as a holiday extension alongside Christmas Day.
Private sector and retail
Major retailers like Walmart and Target are unaffected by the federal closure. They will generally be open for last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, and fully open for returns and sales on Dec. 26.
