New Year’s Day 2016: Are Banks Open Today? Here’s The Rundown On What’s Open And What’s Closed On January 1


New Year’s Day 2016 has arrived, and people looking to find what’s open and what’s closed on January 1 will find that much of the nation is taking the day off to rest and recover from the party that closed out 2015.

It can be a bit tricky to know when stores are open throughout the holiday season. While most stores and restaurants stick to the same format (close early on Christmas Eve, closed all day on Christmas, and closing early on New Year’s Eve), there are always some exceptions.

New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, meaning that all government offices (outside of emergency services) are closed down for the day. This includes the post office, with no mail delivery and branches closed. Many branches will have access to the lobby, so people who need to pick up stamps or slip a letter in the mail will be able to, though delivery won’t start until branches open again on Saturday.

Financial markets are also closed on New Year’s Day 2016, as are pretty much all banks across the country. But Saving Advice noted that there is at least one option for people who really need to make a deposit or fund transfer on January 1.

“If you cannot wait and must do your banking on Friday, there are several banking options available anytime. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and banking apps are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most banking customers will be able do the majority of their regular banking transactions on Friday, January 1, 2016 even though bank branches are closed. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at ATMs and through online and mobile banking. Bill payments can also be made through mobile and online banking.”

But outside of banks and government offices, New Year’s Day 2016 store hours are pretty much the same as they would always be. It’s a busy day for retailers as people with the day off and some extra holiday cash to spend hit the stores, and restaurants fill with people who don’t really feel like cooking a meal the day after a party.

So stores like Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and KMart will be operating on their normal hours. This goes for CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreen as well.

For grocery stores, most will be opening at normal hours. Those that operate 24 hours will be opening very early on New Year’s Day (for example, Wegmans will be opening back up at 7 a.m.).

There are plenty of attractions open, from museums to amusement parks. This is not universal, so it’s best to check on an individual basis.

When it comes to restaurants, you’ll be happy to find that almost all of them are open normal hours on New Year’s Day 2016. That includes Red Lobster, Applebees, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, and Denny’s (which was actually open all through New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).

Fast food locations are also open on New Year’s Day, though some McDonald’s locations will be opening a bit later than normal. A full list can be found here, via Hollywood Life.

There is one exception, however. Chioptle will be closed on New Year’s Day, opening up again on January 2.

There are many other small businesses and locally owned restaurants and stores looking to take advantage of the New Year’s Day shopping rush, but that’s not universally true. Those who want to know if a local store is open or closed on New Year’s Day 2016 are best to call ahead and see.

[Picture by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

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