New Year's Day, observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday in the United States, with traditions including parties, fireworks, college football bowl games, and making resolutions. The observance of January 1st as the first day of the year dates back to Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., and was re-established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.
On New Year's Day 2026, United States Postal Service (USPS) offices will be closed, and there will be no regular mail delivery, nor will UPS or FedEx deliver packages, with the exception of their express critical services. However, USPS Priority Mail Express will be delivered, and self-service kiosks may be available for drop-offs. Amazon delivery services will not operate on their usual schedule, with same-day delivery unavailable.
Banks will be closed on New Year's Day. Financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and bond markets, will also be shut down.
Many grocery stores and retailers will remain open, though some may have modified hours. Major supermarkets like ACME, Amazon Fresh, BJ's Wholesale Club, Target, Walmart, and Wegmans are scheduled to be open, with varying hours. Similarly, numerous retail chains such as 7-Eleven, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, CVS, Home Depot, Kohl's, Lowe's, Macy's, Starbucks, and Target will operate, with specific hours that may differ by location.
Restaurants, including McDonald's and Starbucks, are expected to be open, but it is advisable to check with individual locations for their operating hours. Several malls in New Jersey, such as American Dream, Bridgewater Commons, and Cherry Hill Mall, will be open, while others like Bergen Town Center will be closed.
Public transportation services will have modified schedules. NJ Transit rail will run on a regular weekend schedule after early morning hours, and bus and light rail lines will operate on Saturday/Sunday or holiday schedules. PATH will follow a modified Saturday schedule, and SEPTA Regional Rail, Metro, and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule, with some specific bus routes not running. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission offices, state offices, and courts will be closed, though online processing for some documents may be available. The next federal holiday after New Year's Day is Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19th.