Is there mail on Presidents Day is a question millions of Americans ask each year as the third Monday in February approaches. In 2026, that holiday lands on Monday, February 16, and it has a direct impact on postal delivery services across the United States. For many households and businesses, understanding how mail service works — or doesn’t — on Presidents Day helps avoid last-minute surprises and missed deliveries.
When Presidents Day arrives, standard mail delivery from the United States Postal Service will not occur and post office locations will close for the federal holiday. If you rely on your mailbox for bills, personal letters, advertisements, packages, or business correspondence, know that those items won’t show up until the next regular delivery day. However, customers still have a range of online and self-service options to handle mailing needs even while offices are closed.
Now let’s walk through everything you need to know about mail service, alternative carriers, planning ahead, and how this holiday affects daily life for people and businesses nationwide.
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What Happens to USPS Mail on Presidents Day
On Presidents Day, the United States Postal Service pauses all regular mail delivery and shuts down post office retail counters across the country. This federal holiday — officially recognized as Washington’s Birthday — is included on the USPS holiday calendar as a day when routine mail services are suspended.
That means:
- No scheduled delivery of letters or standard packages to homes or businesses on February 16.
- Post office lobbies and customer service counters will remain closed for the day.
- Normal operations resume Tuesday, February 17, when mail carriers return to scheduled routes and offices open for business.
This pause affects both weekdays and how mail routes are planned. Even if your area normally receives mail six days a week, this holiday stands apart as a day when USPS stops routine service entirely.
Holiday Closures: What USPS Customers Should Expect
Presidents Day is one of 11 federal holidays the postal service observes in 2026, and mail delivery on federal holidays always halts. Post offices nationwide — including urban branches, rural stations, and contract units — will observe the day off.
Although the physical counters are closed:
- Online services on usps.com remain available around the clock.
- You can still buy postage, print shipping labels, schedule services, or track packages online even during the holiday.
- Self-service kiosks at many retail lobbies will still offer basic functions like purchasing stamps or weighing packages.
These digital and kiosk tools provide practical ways to prepare shipments before or after the holiday, but they don’t mean mail is being delivered on the holiday itself.
Why There’s No Mail Delivery on Presidents Day
Presidents Day is a federal holiday observed by the U.S. government, and USPS adheres to the federal holiday schedule just like many other government agencies.
The holiday originally commemorated George Washington’s birthday, and over time states and communities have broadened its recognition to honor all U.S. presidents. Because the postal service follows the same schedule as the federal workforce, USPS workers are off the job on Presidents Day, meaning routes don’t run, and collection boxes aren’t emptied by carriers.
Handling Mail Before and After the Holiday
If you expect important mail this February, planning around the holiday can save time and frustration:
- Send time-sensitive mail well before February 16. With no mail on the holiday, letters or packages mailed late on Friday or early Saturday may not move again until Tuesday.
- Expect a backlog. Mail volume can be heavier after holidays as delayed items begin moving again.
- Check tracking updates. If you’re waiting for a package, tracking systems will typically show movement resuming on Tuesday, the first business day after the holiday.
- Visit your local post office before the holiday if you need in-person help with mailing labels or services.
Just dropping something in a blue collection box on Presidents Day doesn’t guarantee it enters the system immediately: carriers won’t pick it up until normal operations resume.
How Private Carriers Respond on Presidents Day
While USPS pausing service is notable, private carriers have different holiday schedules:
FedEx
Most FedEx locations remain open on Presidents Day, offering services such as shipping, packing, and office access. Some delivery services operate with modified schedules, especially Ground or Express shipments, so hours may vary by location.
UPS
UPS typically continues regular delivery and pickup services on Presidents Day, though elements of its operations tied to USPS may shift. Services relying on postal infrastructure could experience delays tied to the USPS holiday pause.
These carriers can be good alternatives if you need delivery or pickup on the holiday itself. However, it’s always wise to confirm local hours and service availability because schedules can differ by city.
Broader Impacts of the Holiday on Services
Mail isn’t the only service affected by Presidents Day. Many sectors pause or adjust operations:
- Banks and credit unions: Most major branches close their doors on Presidents Day, though ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Financial markets: U.S. stock exchanges and bond markets suspend trading for the holiday.
- Government offices: Federal, state, and local administrative buildings generally close for the day.
- Schools: Most public schools observe the holiday with closures or adjusted schedules.
Meanwhile, many retail businesses, grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants remain open — and some even hold Presidents Day sales.
Common Mistakes About Mail on Presidents Day
Many people assume that mail delivery is simply delayed or slowed on Presidents Day. The reality is that scheduled delivery doesn’t happen at all on the federal holiday, and carriers don’t travel their routes. This applies to:
- Standard first-class mail
- Marketing mail
- Most package services
Only a few very specific services — such as Priority Mail Express — have historically operated differently, but routine mail simply doesn’t move. The holiday represents a full pause in the normal USPS delivery cycle, regardless of weather or regional differences.
How This Holiday Fits Into the Postal Calendar
Presidents Day isn’t an isolated pause. The postal holiday calendar includes several days when services stop entirely, such as:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Knowing these dates in advance helps individuals and businesses plan shipments throughout the year and avoid unexpected delays.
