US: What to know about Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, marking the unofficial start of summer across the US.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the holiday honors those who lost their lives while serving in the US military.

As a federal holiday, Memorial Day means all banks, schools, and nonessential government offices will be closed for the weekend.

However, most grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants will stay open. If you need groceries or prescriptions, you’ll likely be covered.

Here’s what to expect in Florida this Memorial Day.

When is Memorial Day weekend in 2025?

This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26.

It’s always observed on the last Monday of May. The long weekend begins Friday, May 23, and continues through Monday.

Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?

Yes. Memorial Day is one of 11 official federal holidays in the United States.

It became a federal holiday in 1971.

Other federal holidays include New Year’s Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January), Presidents Day (third Monday of February), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day (second Monday of October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

Why is Memorial Day observed?

Memorial Day pays tribute to military personnel who died in service.

Cynthia Lawson of The Acreage honored her parents at the South Florida National Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024, near Lake Worth Beach.

Her father, Donald Joe Hulsey, served in the Navy during the Korean War. She decorated their headstone with flowers and “pennies for remembrance.”

The holiday’s roots trace back to the Civil War, which ended in 1865. Originally called Decoration Day, it honored fallen soldiers with ceremonies and grave decorations.

According to usmemorialday.org the first official observance was held on May 30, 1868, organized by Gen. John A. Logan, who led the Grand Army of the Republic—a group of Union veterans.

At first, northern and southern states marked the day separately. After World War I, Memorial Day expanded to honor Americans who died in any war, as reported by the History Channel.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to give federal employees more three-day weekends. That legislation moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May.

Are the Post Office, UPS, and FedEx open on Memorial Day?

USPS locations will be closed for retail services and mail delivery.

UPS and FedEx will also suspend deliveries. However, some UPS Store locations may remain open.

FedEx Custom Critical will still operate, according to the company’s website.

Are grocery stores open on Memorial Day?

Yes. Most major grocery chains in Florida will be open, including Aldi, Fresh Market, Publix, Sprouts, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market.

What about Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s?

Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club will be open on Memorial Day.

Costco will be closed. It is one of seven days the warehouse chain shuts down annually.

Are pharmacies open on Memorial Day?

Both Walgreens and CVS will be open. However, some pharmacies inside the stores may close for the day.

It’s best to check with your local pharmacy for hours.

CVS is in the process of closing about 900 stores nationwide, a plan announced in 2021. It’s unclear how many—if any—will affect Southwest Florida.

This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal under the title: “Memorial Day 2025: When and what’s open and closed in Florida.”

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