Veterans Day lands on Wednesday, Nov. 11 this year, giving New Yorkers a midweek breather!
Before you plan your day, here’s what’s open and closed around the city, from schools and banks to the post office, plus the NYC-specific perks national guides tend to miss.
Yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so government services shut down for the day, but most of the city keeps humming along.
Here’s everything to know about this week’s holiday.
What’s closed in NYC on Veterans Day
- NYC public schools: closed for the day, according to the NYC Public Schools calendar.
- Post offices: closed, with no regular mail or package delivery from the U.S. Postal Service.
- Most banks: closed, as is the bond market.
- Federal offices and courts: most are closed.
- Trash, recycling and compost pickup: there’s no collection on Wednesday. Wednesday pickups should go out Wednesday evening for collection from Thursday, and the Department of Sanitation warns pickups may run late as crews catch up (DSNY).
What’s open
- The stock market: the NYSE and Nasdaq trade as usual.
- UPS and FedEx: open, though it’s worth checking hours online.
- Big-box stores: Costco, Walmart, Target and Home Depot are open, though hours may vary by location.
- Restaurants: most are open, and many offer free meals or discounts for veterans and service members.
- Libraries: hours can vary by system, so check your local NYPL, Brooklyn or Queens branch before heading over.
Good news for drivers (mostly)
Alternate side parking is suspended on Wednesday, so you won’t need to move your car for street cleaning.
Just don’t get too comfortable: parking meters are still in effect, since Veterans Day isn’t one of the city’s major legal holidays, according to NYC DOT.
The NYC Veterans Day Parade is led by an astronaut
The 107th NYC Veterans Day Parade, which organizers bill as the largest Veterans Day parade in the country, steps off at 12:30 pm from Fifth Avenue and 26th Street and heads up Fifth Avenue.
Expect more than 20,000 marchers, 280 units, 25 floats and over 150 vehicles.
This year’s grand marshal is retired Navy captain and NASA astronaut Suni Williams.
She launched on Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 and didn’t make it home until March 2025, and she logged 608 days in space over her career, according to Military.com.
Before the parade, there’s a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:55 am in Madison Square Park.
Expect street closures along Fifth Avenue for much of the afternoon, so plan your route around Midtown accordingly.
However you spend the day off, take a moment to thank the veterans in your life!
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