Memorial Day 2026: Monday, May 25
Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, 2026 — the last Monday in May. The holiday weekend runs Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25.
Memorial Day Dates, 2026–2035
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 25, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 31, 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | May 29, 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | May 28, 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | May 27, 2030 | Monday |
| 2031 | May 26, 2031 | Monday |
| 2032 | May 31, 2032 | Monday |
| 2033 | May 30, 2033 | Monday |
| 2034 | May 29, 2034 | Monday |
| 2035 | May 28, 2035 | Monday |
How the date is set
Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. Before 1971 it was always May 30, a fixed date chosen after the Civil War for the day flowers would be in bloom across the country. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to a Monday to create a three-day weekend, along with Washington's Birthday, Labor Day and Columbus Day.
Because it hangs on the last Monday rather than a fixed date, Memorial Day can fall anywhere from May 25 to May 31. In 2026 it lands on May 25.
What counts as "Memorial Day weekend"
Different groups close for different lengths of time, which is why the answer varies depending on who you ask:
| Who | Days off | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Federal and most state offices | 3 days | Sat May 23 – Mon May 25 |
| Most schools | 3 days | Sat May 23 – Mon May 25 |
| Banks | 1 day | Mon May 25 (branches closed) |
| Employers with Friday off | 4 days | Fri May 22 – Mon May 25 |
Decoration Day and origins of the holiday
Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, when communities decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers. General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a national observance on May 30, 1868, and the date stuck for a century.
It became officially known as Memorial Day by federal law in 1967, and in 1968 Congress moved it to the last Monday in May, effective 1971.
What is closed and open on Memorial Day 2026
- Federal, state and local offices — closed
- USPS — no regular mail delivery
- Banks — closed; the Federal Reserve is closed too
- Stock markets — NYSE and Nasdaq closed May 25
- Schools — closed across most districts
- Off limits but open: supermarkets, restaurants and shopping centres generally trade normally, and it is one of the year's biggest sales weekends
Why this date matters for planning
Memorial Day weekend is treated as the unofficial start of summer — campsites and national park reservations open months ahead for this weekend in particular. The Indianapolis 500 is traditionally run on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, which in 2026 is May 24.
Frequently asked questions
What date is Memorial Day 2026?
Monday, May 25, 2026.
When does Memorial Day weekend 2026 start?
Saturday, May 23, 2026. The three-day weekend runs through Monday, May 25. Some employers also give Friday, May 22 off, making it four days.
What day of the week is Memorial Day 2026?
Monday. Memorial Day is always a Monday, which is what makes it a three-day weekend.
Is Memorial Day always the last Monday in May?
Yes, since 1971. Before that it was fixed on May 30.
When is Memorial Day 2027?
Monday, May 31, 2027 — the latest date it can fall on.
Is the mail delivered on Memorial Day?
No. USPS does not deliver regular mail on Memorial Day and most Post Offices are closed.
Are banks closed on Memorial Day 2026?
Yes. It is one of the Federal Reserve's published closing days, and most bank branches follow suit.
Is the stock market closed on Memorial Day?
Yes, NYSE and Nasdaq are closed Monday, May 25, 2026.
When is the Indianapolis 500 in 2026?
The Indianapolis 500 is traditionally held the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend — May 24, 2026.
Is Memorial Day the start of summer?
Informally yes — it is treated as the start of summer in the US even though the astronomical summer solstice falls later in June.
Official sources
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays — official federal holiday schedule
- 5 U.S.C. § 6103 — Legal Public Holidays (Cornell LII) — statutory holiday list
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Memorial Day history — Decoration Day origins
Last verified against official sources on September 26, 2026.