MLK Day 2022: What’s Open, Closed On Martin Luther King Federal Holiday? Banks, Post Office, And More

Monday marks the federal holiday known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the birthday of the civil rights leader of the same name.

While King was actually born on Jan. 15 in 1929, he is honored on the third Monday in January every year, which falls on Jan. 17 in 2022.

King fought for equality for African Americans through peaceful protests and was the driving force behind historical events such as the 1963 March on Washington where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, as noted by History.com. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Four years later, in 1968, he was assassinated.

MLK Day, which it is often referred to as, recognizes the legacy of King and was made a federal holiday in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan.

Because MLK Day is a federal holiday, many government services are closed in observance of the holiday, while other businesses may have reduced or modified hours. Here’s a list of what will be closed or open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2022.

Mail Services

Mail will not be delivered by the USPS on Monday, but some post offices will have their retail lobbies open for service. FedEx and UPS will continue to operate most services under their normal operating schedules.

Banks

Most banks will be closed for MLK Day as they follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule. Customers will still be able to access client service numbers and use ATM services on Monday.

Stock Market

Stock markets will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day but will resume normal trading hours starting on Tuesday.

Schools

Public and private K-12 schools are traditionally closed for MLK Day, even if classes are virtual.

Drug Stores and Pharmacies

Drug stores and pharmacies will remain open on Monday, but they may have reduced hours due to the federal holiday. Call ahead to ensure that your local retailer is open.

Grocery Stores and Other Retailers

Grocery stores and other retail stores will be open on Monday, with most operating under their normal schedules. Call your local retailer to confirm their hours.

Other Closures

Social Security offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and Veteran Affairs centers will also be closed. Most garbage collections are expected to operate as normal. Public transportation systems are also anticipated to operate as planned, but some may have reduced or modified schedules.