Planning a shipment around a holiday? UPS keeps a short list of days each year with no regular pickup or delivery, when most UPS operations and The UPS Store locations are closed. Below is the UPS holiday schedule for 2026 — the closure dates, the federal holidays UPS still runs, and how peak-season days like Christmas Eve work.
This is an independent guide. Dates can change, so always confirm the current schedule on the official ups.com — we are not affiliated with United Parcel Service.
UPS holidays 2026: no pickup or delivery
UPS does not provide regular pickup or delivery on these 2026 U.S. holidays (most UPS Store locations are closed too):
| Holiday | 2026 date | UPS service |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, Jan. 1 | Closed — no pickup/delivery |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Closed |
| Independence Day | Observed Friday, July 3 (the 4th is a Saturday) | Closed |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sept. 7 | Closed |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Closed |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec. 25 | Closed |
The one exception is UPS Express Critical, the urgent-shipment service that runs 365 days a year — including every holiday (call 1-800-714-8779 or visit upsexpresscritical.com).
Federal holidays when UPS still operates
UPS generally runs normal pickup and delivery on several U.S. federal holidays — including Presidents’ Day, Juneteenth, Columbus / Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Veterans Day. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a paid employee holiday under the 2023 Teamsters contract, so UPS service can be limited that day — confirm on ups.com. One more catch: because the U.S. Postal Service is closed on these federal holidays, USPS-dependent UPS services — UPS Ground Saver and UPS Mail Innovations — typically need an extra business day. Since policies can shift year to year, always confirm the exact day on ups.com before you ship.
Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve & peak season
- Christmas Eve (Thu, Dec. 24): delivery generally operates, but pickup is limited (often only prearranged Air and international Air shipments).
- New Year’s Eve (Thu, Dec. 31): typically limited service — frequently Air and international Air only.
- Day after Thanksgiving (Fri, Nov. 27): normal service usually resumes — one of the busiest shipping days of the year.
During the December peak, build in extra time and check UPS’s published shipping deadlines for guaranteed pre-holiday arrival.
Weekends
Outside holidays, UPS delivers Monday through Saturday in most areas — see does UPS deliver on Saturday for the details. There’s no regular Sunday delivery (except UPS Express Critical).
Shipping outside the U.S.?
Holidays differ by country, so UPS observed days abroad vary. Use UPS’s World Holiday Calendar (ups.com → Days of Operation), pick the country, and view its UPS holiday schedule.
Track your holiday shipments
Shipping around a holiday? Keep an eye on it with our UPS tracking guide, and compare delivery speeds in the UPS shipping options overview.
Frequently asked questions
What are the UPS holidays in 2026?
UPS has no regular pickup or delivery on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day (observed July 3), Labor Day (Sept. 7), Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25). UPS Express Critical still runs on those days.
Does UPS deliver on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth?
UPS runs normal service on Juneteenth, Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a paid employee holiday under the 2023 union contract, so service may be limited in some areas — check ups.com. On these federal holidays, USPS-dependent services (Ground Saver, Mail Innovations) may add a day.
Is UPS open on Christmas Eve?
Usually yes for delivery, but with limited pickup (often only prearranged Air and international Air shipments). New Year’s Eve is similarly limited.
Is any UPS service available on holidays?
Yes — UPS Express Critical, the urgent-shipment service, operates 365 days a year, including all holidays.
Related: UPS Tracking · Does UPS Deliver on Saturday? · UPS Follow My Delivery.