Is the post office open on Christmas Eve?
Mail · Christmas Eve
Open
Yes — mail is delivered on Christmas Eve, though some post office lobbies close early.
December 24 isn't a federal holiday, so carriers run routes and post offices open — it's one of the heaviest delivery days of the year. Retail hours are the soft spot: many locations trim the afternoon, and last collection times move earlier than usual.
When Christmas falls on a Saturday, USPS keeps the holiday on the Saturday itself, so December 24 is still a full working Friday — mail runs and windows are open, on a day federal offices are closed.
| Holiday | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Thursday, December 24, 2026 | Open Mail is delivered on Christmas Eve; some post office lobbies close early. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Closed No mail delivery; post offices closed. |
| Christmas Eve | Friday, December 24, 2027 | Open Mail is delivered Friday December 24; some post office lobbies close early. |
| Christmas Day | Saturday, December 25, 2027 | Closed No Saturday mail delivery today; post offices closed. |
What else on Christmas Eve?
| Who | Status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Open Yes — banks are open on Christmas Eve, though some branches close early. |
| The Stock Market | Early close Yes — but it's a half day: when December 24 is a trading day, the stock market closes at 1pm ET. |
| UPS | Varies It depends on direction — UPS delivers on Christmas Eve, but there's no Ground pickup. |
| FedEx | Varies Yes — FedEx delivers on Christmas Eve, with Ground pickups modified. |
| Federal Offices | Varies It depends — December 24 is normally a regular workday for federal offices, but in some years it isn't. |
| Schools | Closed No — December 24 falls inside winter break in nearly every district. |
Questions people ask
What time does the post office close on Christmas Eve?
It varies by location, and plenty of offices close earlier than their posted weekday hours. Check your local office a day ahead rather than assuming the usual schedule holds.
Does mail come late on Christmas Eve?
Often. Carriers stay out longer through the December peak, so a delivery after dark isn't unusual — USPS doesn't promise a time of day for regular mail.
Checked against the USPS holiday schedule, verified August 2026. When a schedule for a new year has not been published yet, this page says so — it never guesses.