Memorial Day 2025, observed on the last Monday in May, is a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the US military.
Is Memorial Day 2025 a public holiday?
This is a public holiday recognized by the state. State government offices are closed. Certain educational institutions and enterprises may also be closed on this day.
What constitutes Memorial Day?
Initially referred to as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commenced following the Civil War to commemorate Union soldiers who perished in the battle.
The holiday’s designation originates from the custom of adorning the graves of deceased troops with floral arrangements. Subsequent to World War I, it developed to honor all American military troops who perished in any conflict or military engagement.
Today is Memorial Day 2025, a solemn commemoration of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Memorial Day has evolved into a day of national contemplation and is now regarded as the unofficial commencement of summer
What is the date of Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is currently commemorated on the final Monday in May. Initially, it was observed on May 30, irrespective of the day of the week. In 1968, Congress enacted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which relocated various federal holidays, including Memorial Day, to specified Mondays, so establishing three-day weekends for federal employees.
The alteration was officially implemented in 1971, designating the final Monday in May as Memorial Day 2025. Nevertheless, the adoption of the new celebration by all states required time, and even presently, certain states persist in acknowledging Decoration Day within their statutes or customs, indicative of the holiday’s
In what manner do individuals commemorate Memorial Day?
Numerous individuals commemorate Memorial Day 2025 by conventional practices, including:
Displaying the American flag at half-staff from dawn until noon, participating in a national moment of remembrance at 15:00 (3 pm) local time, visiting local cemeteries and memorials to honor fallen service members, placing flowers or wreaths on soldiers’ graves, volunteering to adorn military graves with American flags at national cemeteries, and attending memorial services, parades, and community events.
Contemporary Memorial Day Customs?
While the principal aim of the holiday is commemoration, Memorial Day 2025 weekend has additionally evolved into an occasion for families and communities to convene and celebrate the unofficial commencement of summer. A multitude of Americans engage in barbecues, picnics, and familial assemblies embark on brief excursions or weekend getaways participate in sporting events or summer activities
Donning white between Memorial Day and Labor Day was formerly a prevalent custom in the United States. This tradition originated as a means to remain cool in warm climates and as a show of affluence and social standing among elite families, although this is considerably less prevalent today.
Observance of Memorial Day in Public Life?
- Memorial Day is a national holiday, signifying:
- Educational institutions, non-essential governmental offices, and several enterprises are closed.
- Public transit frequently functions on a diminished or holiday timetable.
- Highways and airports typically encounter heightened traffic.
Most retail establishments remain operational, and Memorial Day 2025 promotions have evolved into a substantial component of the weekend.
Emblems of Memorial Day?
The Red Poppy emerged as a symbol of remembrance following World War I, influenced by the poem “In Flanders Fields” authored by poet and soldier John McCrae. Individuals frequently don or exhibit red poppies to commemorate deceased troops, and the American Legion disseminates them annually on Memorial Day.
The Flag of the United States: On Memorial Day 2025, the flag is hoisted at half-staff from sunrise until noon, after which it is flown to full-staff for the remainder of the day. This process represents grieving in the morning and a dedication to persist in the struggle for freedom in the afternoon. The flag’s colors—red symbolizing bravery, white representing purity, and blue denoting perseverance—hold profound significance on this day of contemplation.
What’s open and closed on Memorial Day 2025? Everything you need to know.
Memorial Day is here, and Monday will offer a wide variety of shopping and dining alternatives for customers, whether they are wanting to get a bite to eat or last-minute beverages and snacks for a party.
On Memorial Day 2025, banks and post offices will be closed, but many national merchants, supermarkets, and restaurant chains will remain open.
Monday, May 26 is Memorial Day this year. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the holiday is the “nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women,” Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the event honors those who have lost their lives while serving in the United States military and was first observed in the 1860s.
Here is all the information you require on Memorial Day’s open and closed hours. Since hours and closures might differ by region, it is wise to check online with your local restaurant or store before leaving the house.
When is 2025 Memorial Day?
The last Monday of May is always Memorial Day. Memorial Day is May 26 this year.
Can I go to Walmart on Memorial Day?
A company representative confirmed that Walmart shops will be open as usual on Memorial Day. Most stores are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Can I visit Target on Memorial Day?
Target confirmed that its stores would be open on Memorial Day. Check with your local store to find out its unique holiday hours, as store hours vary by region.
Are Sam’s Club and Costco open on Memorial Day 2025?
The Costco website states that its warehouses would be closed on Memorial Day. According to the company’s website, Sam’s Club will be open on Memorial Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members
Will Walgreens and CVS be open on Memorial Day?
On Memorial Day, CVS stores will remain open, though some may have shortened hours. Before visiting, customers are advised to verify the hours at CVS.com or give their local stores a call.
A company spokeswoman informed USA TODAY that while most Walgreens pharmacies would be closed on Memorial Day 2025, with the exception of 24-hour locations and a few additional pharmacies, retail operations will continue as usual. To find out the hours of their local store, customers are urged to use the company’s online store locator.
On Memorial Day, will Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware be open?
A company rep told USA TODAY that Home Depot shops will be open as usual on Memorial Day.
On Memorial Day, Lowe’s shops will be open as usual.
Because each Ace Hardware shop is privately owned and run, the hours are different. Customers should call their neighborhood store to make sure it will be open on Memorial Day.
When is Memorial Day? Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open? Will the mail be sent?”
According to the USPS website, Memorial Day is a holiday. This means that mail will not be carried and post offices will not be open for business on May 26.
On Memorial Day 2025, UPS and FedEx will not be able to pick up and send packages. The company’s website says that some UPS Store locations may be closed, and FedEx Office hours will also change.
USA TODAY checked with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, CitiBank, Truist, and JPMorgan Chase and all of them said their stores would be closed on Memorial Day.
Not only will the federal government be closed on May 26, but so will branches of other banks, like Capital One and PNC. People should call their local bank to find out what hours they are open on holidays.
Restaurants open on Memorial Day 2025?
The follow restaurants are open on May 26.
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Dunkin’
- Chipotle
- Chick-fil-A
- Cracker Barrel
- Wendy’s
- Burger King
- Golden Corral
- Olive Garden
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- Applebee’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Arby’s
- IHOP
- KFC
- Subway
- Jimmy John’s
- Taco Bell
- Bonefish Grill
- Firehouse Subs
- Cheesecake Factory
- Panera Bread
- Krispy Kreme
- Whataburger
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- First Watch
- Zaxbys
Grocery stores open on Memorial Day 2025?
Here’s which grocery stores are open on Memorial Day. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club; Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members
- Most stores in the Kroger family of companies (Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smith’s Food and Drug).
- Trader Joe’s
- Food Lion
- Publix
- Aldi
- Whole Foods
- Wegmans
- Meijer; 6 a.m. to midnight
- Harris Teeter
- A majority of Albertson’s banner stores will be open on Easter (Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Vons and Tom Thumb).
- Lidl
- Giant Eagle
- Harveys
- Winn-Dixie
H-E-B Costco warehouses will be closed on May 26
Retail stores open on Memorial Day 2025?
Stores listed below will be open on May 26. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Ace Hardware
- Best Buy; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sephora
- Bass Pro Shop; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Cabela’s; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- REI; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- IKEA
- Petco
- PetSmart; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tractor Supply Company; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Target
- TJ Maxx
- Marshall’s
- HomeGoods
- Lowe’s
- Macy’s
- Kohl’s
- JCPenney
- Belk; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Burlington
- Office Depot; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- OfficeMax; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
