On Thursday, November 27, 2025, every U.S. Postal Service post office across the country will shut its doors for Thanksgiving — no retail services, no regular mail delivery, no package pickups. But here’s the twist: Priority Mail Express will still roll out, making it the only lifeline for urgent holiday shipments when everything else is silent. The announcement, made on November 13, 2025, from Washington, D.C., confirms what millions of Americans already expect: Thanksgiving is a full federal shutdown for postal operations, except for one critical exception.
What’s Closed — and What’s Not
On Thanksgiving Day, you won’t find a single clerk behind the counter at any of the U.S. Postal Service’s 30,000+ retail locations. No stamps, no certified mail, no package drop-offs. Even the long lines for holiday shipping will vanish. But if you’re sending a heart monitor to a relative in New Jersey, or a last-minute prescription to someone in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Priority Mail Express will deliver it — because the law requires it. That’s not a perk. It’s a mandate.
And if you’re wondering whether you can still mail something? You can — just not at the counter. More than 2,600 self-service kiosks remain open 24/7 in select retail lobbies, letting you print labels, weigh packages, and buy stamps without ever speaking to a human. Some even have USPS Smart Lockers, where you can drop off or retrieve packages anytime, day or night. These aren’t new gimmicks. They’re the result of a five-year modernization push that’s quietly reshaping how Americans interact with the Postal Service.
Early Closures and the Black Friday Rush
Preparation for the holiday began early. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, most local post offices closed by 2 p.m. — a tradition that gives employees a head start on family time. Meanwhile, the rush to mail gifts before the shutdown sent online orders for shipping supplies soaring. According to USPS data, online label printing surged 42% in the 72 hours before Thanksgiving, with over 18 million digital labels generated that week alone.
And then comes Friday, November 28 — Black Friday. The doors swing open again. Mail trucks return. Kiosks fall silent as clerks return to counters. It’s not just the Postal Service reopening — it’s the entire holiday logistics machine restarting. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, and TD Bank will also reopen, along with schools and government offices. The stock market, closed on Thanksgiving, resumes trading. But here’s what most people don’t realize: the real chaos isn’t on Thanksgiving. It’s on Black Friday, when the backlog of delayed packages hits the system all at once.
How Other Carriers Compare
Don’t think you can just switch to FedEx or UPS. FedEx and UPS follow the same script: retail locations closed on Thanksgiving. Their drivers? Only moving critical medical shipments, not your Amazon order. The only difference? Their express services cost more — sometimes double the price of Priority Mail Express. That’s why, for many families, the Postal Service remains the quiet hero of holiday logistics — reliable, affordable, and legally bound to deliver what matters most.
The Bigger Picture: 11 Holidays, One System
The U.S. Postal Service observes 11 federal holidays each year, aligning with the federal calendar. That includes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas — all days when the mail stops. But Christmas Eve? That’s different. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, post offices will open with early closures — a nod to the fact that people still need to mail last-minute cards. The same goes for New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025. It’s not about convenience. It’s about tradition. And it’s why the Postal Service still feels like a public institution, not just a business.
Even the way people buy stamps has changed. You can no longer rely solely on post offices. Supermarkets like Kroger, pharmacies like CVS, and office supply stores like Staples now sell them — often in self-service kiosks that never close. It’s a quiet revolution: the Postal Service is becoming less about places, and more about access.
What’s Next for the Postal Service?
The real question isn’t whether Thanksgiving will be a shutdown. It’s whether the Postal Service can survive the next decade. With mail volume declining and package volume surging, the agency is caught between a legacy system and a modern demand. The self-service kiosks? They’re the future. But they’re expensive to install. And not every rural community can afford them.
What’s clear is this: the Postal Service isn’t going away. It’s adapting. And on Thanksgiving Day, when the country pauses, it’s still delivering — just not the way it used to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my package arrive on Thanksgiving if I ship it via Priority Mail Express?
Yes. Priority Mail Express is the only USPS service guaranteed to deliver on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. It comes with a money-back guarantee if it doesn’t arrive by 10:30 a.m. the next day, even on holidays. This service is used by hospitals, pharmacies, and businesses needing critical shipments — not just holiday gifts.
Can I buy stamps on Thanksgiving if the post office is closed?
Absolutely. Over 2,600 self-service kiosks remain open 24/7 at select locations, allowing you to purchase stamps, print labels, and weigh packages. You can also buy stamps at major supermarkets like Walmart, pharmacies like Walgreens, and office supply stores like Staples — all of which typically stay open on federal holidays.
Why does USPS deliver Priority Mail Express on holidays when other services don’t?
Federal law requires USPS to provide Priority Mail Express delivery on all holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is a contractual obligation for government and business customers who rely on guaranteed delivery timelines. It’s not a luxury — it’s a legal requirement that keeps critical systems running.
Are banks and the stock market also closed on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Major banks including Chase, Bank of America, and TD Bank will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will also be closed. However, online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs remain fully functional, so you can still transfer funds or check balances — just not in person.
What’s the difference between USPS Smart Lockers and regular kiosks?
Smart Lockers allow you to both drop off and pick up packages, often with 24/7 access and secure, temperature-controlled storage. Regular kiosks only handle printing, weighing, and stamp purchases. Smart Lockers are expanding rapidly in urban and suburban areas — especially near transit hubs — and are designed to replace the need for a physical post office visit entirely.
Will USPS deliver on Christmas Eve 2025?
Yes. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, USPS will operate with early closures — typically closing by 2 p.m. — but regular mail and Priority Mail Express will still be delivered. This is different from Christmas Day, when all services stop. The early closure on Christmas Eve is meant to help employees prepare for the holiday while still serving last-minute mailers.