When is New Year’s Day?
January 1. Here is the date, the background and what to know before you make plans.
Next New Year’s Day
Friday, January 1, 2027New Year’s Day dates, 2026–2031
Rule: January 1. When it falls on a weekend, federal offices observe it on the Friday before (Saturday) or the Monday after (Sunday).
What’s open on New Year’s Day
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Closed |
| Post Office / Mail delivery | Closed |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Closed |
| Federal & most state government offices | Closed |
| Public schools | Closed Closed (typically part of winter break) |
New Year’s Day is one of the 11 U.S. federal holidays, so banks, the stock market, the post office and most government offices close nationwide. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
The story behind New Year’s Day
January 1 has marked the start of the calendar year in the United States since the country adopted the Gregorian calendar, which fixed New Year’s Day on that date rather than the varying dates used by older calendar systems. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1870, one of the first four holidays the federal government formally recognized, alongside Christmas, Independence Day and Washington’s Birthday.
The night before, New Year’s Eve, carries most of the celebration weight in American culture, from the ball drop in New York’s Times Square to countdown parties nationwide. January 1 itself has settled into a quieter, recovery-oriented day built around resolutions, football bowl games and a fresh start.
How it’s celebrated
Traditions vary by region and culture: black-eyed peas and collard greens for luck in the South, a first-footing tradition in some communities, and college football bowl games that have aired on New Year’s Day since the early 20th century. Many people mark the day with resolutions for the year ahead, gym visits, or simply a slow day at home after New Year’s Eve festivities.
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back thousands of years to ancient Babylon, where people made promises to the gods to pay debts and return borrowed items at the start of the year.
What changes around the start of the year
New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, and the surrounding schedule can affect banking, mail, markets, transit and government services. New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday, but some locations close early and some markets publish special hours.
When January 1 falls on Saturday, federal offices observe the holiday on the preceding Friday. That observed date can fall in the prior calendar year, which is important when planning year-end filings or payments.
New Year’s Day planning checklist
- Before the date: Check New Year’s Eve cutoff times as well as the January 1 closure.
- Check locally: Complete year-end bank or government transactions before the observed holiday.
- For travel: Confirm transit, event and restaurant schedules.
- Final check: Allow for weather, late-night crowds and changed collection times.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a federal holiday?
Yes. Federal offices close on the holiday’s observed weekday.
What if January 1 falls on Saturday?
Federal offices generally observe the holiday on Friday, December 31.
Is New Year’s Eve a federal holiday?
No, although some organizations use reduced hours.
Are banks and markets closed?
They generally follow their published New Year’s holiday schedules; year-end exceptions should be checked directly.
When is New Year’s Day in 2027?
It is Friday, January 1, 2027.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.