Fourth of July Closures: What’s Open, What’s Shut

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Fourth of July Closures: What’s Open, What’s Shut/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Millions of Americans hit the roads for the Fourth of July, while government offices, banks, and some businesses remain closed. Major retailers like Target and Walmart stay open for holiday shoppers. AAA predicts record-breaking holiday travel across the nation.

FILE – Fireworks burst above the National Mall and, from left, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol building, during Independence Day celebrations in Washington on July 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Quick Look

What’s Open:

Target, Walmart, most grocery stores (check local hours)
Major retailers offering holiday sales

What’s Closed:

Government offices, courts, schools
Banks, stock markets, Costco
Most FedEx/UPS services paused

Travel Trends:

AAA forecasts 72.2 million travelers
61.6 million by car, 5.8 million by air
Prep vehicles to avoid holiday breakdowns

What’s Open and Closed This Fourth of July

Deep look

The Fourth of July, known as Independence Day, commemorates the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Philadelphia marked the first anniversary with spontaneous celebrations a year later, according to the Library of Congress. But the holiday didn’t become widespread until after the War of 1812. It wasn’t until 1870 that Congress officially declared Independence Day a federal holiday.

Here’s what’s open and closed across the country for this year’s Fourth of July:

Government Offices

Government buildings, post offices, courts, and public schools are closed nationwide.

Banks and Financial Markets

U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Friday.
Most FedEx and UPS services will pause pickups and deliveries for the holiday.

Retail Stores

Costco locations are closed for the Fourth of July holiday.
Major national retailers like Target, Walmart, and most grocery stores remain open, often running special holiday sales. However, hours can vary by location, so it’s wise to check local store schedules.

Travel

Millions of Americans are expected to travel over the long holiday weekend, as the Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year.

AAA projects a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans traveling domestically between June 28 and July 6—an increase of 1.7 million from last year and 7 million more than in 2019. Of those travelers, about 61.6 million will drive and 5.8 million will fly.

Adrienne Woodland, a spokesperson for AAA, advised travelers to prepare for busy roads and crowded airports. She recommended checking vehicles before long drives to avoid common issues like dead batteries, flat tires, or low fuel.