New Year’s Day 2021 is on Friday, January 1st.
Traditions include attending parties (socially removed this year), watching fireworks and college football games, and making decisions for the new year.
In 46 BC, Emperor Julius Caesar began on January 1 as the first day of the year. It was partly in honor of the namesake of the month, Janus, the Roman god of the beginning. Pope Gregory XIII resettled January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s open and what’s closed on New Year’s Day 2021.
Is New Year’s Day a federal holiday?
New Year’s Day is the first federal and state holiday of the year.
Is there mail delivery on New Year’s Day 2021? Will the post run?
No regular New Year’s mail will be delivered, nor will UPS or FedEx delivery (except FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical).
However, the United States Postal Service website notes that Priority Mail Express mail will be delivered on New Year’s Day.
Is the post office open on New Year’s Day 2021?
Post offices in the United States will be closed, although in some places self-service kiosks will be available for delivery.
Are banks open on New Year’s Day 2021?
No. The following banks are scheduled for New Year’s Day:
Are the stock markets open on New Year’s Day 2021?
No. Stock markets closed on New Year’s Day. Nasdaq trading and bond markets will also be closed.
Which stores are open on New Year’s Day 2021? When do stores close?
Here is a list of many popular retailers that are confirmed to be open on New Year’s Day 2021, along with their store hours, according to Offers.com, Good Housekeeping, Country Living and USA Today:
- Apple (varies by store)
- Barnes and Noble (varies by store)
- Bass Pro Stores (09:00 – 21:00)
- Bed Bath & Beyond (10:00 – 18:00)
- Best Buy (10:00 – 20:00)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club (10:00 – 19:00)
- Boscov’s (10:00 – 18:00)
- CVS (varies by store / pharmacy)
- Dick’s Sporting Goods (09:00 – 19:00)
- Dollar tree (varies by store)
- Gap (varies by store)
- Hobby lobby (09:00 – 17:30)
- Home Depot (09:00 – 20:00)
- Ikea (10:00 – 21:00)
- JCPenney (11:00 – 19:00)
- Kohl’s (09:00 – 22:00; may vary per store)
- Lowe’s (09:00 – 18:00)
- Macy’s (11:00 – 21:00)
- Marshalls (09:30 – 18:00)
- Michaels (10:00 – 19:00)
- Nordstrom (10:00 – 18:00)
- Office Depot (11am – 6pm)
- Old Navy (varies by store)
- Petco (10:00 – 19:00)
- PetSmart (10:00 – 18:00)
- Rite Aid (varies by store / pharmacy)
- Starbucks (varies by location)
- Target (08:00 – 22:00)
- TJ Maxx (09:30 – 18:00)
- Ulta (10:00 – 18:00)
- Walgreens (varies by store / pharmacy)
- Walmart (closes at 10pm or 11pm; may vary by store)
Are there online sales for New Year’s Day 2021?
Yes, there are still a lot of deals being offered online as the holiday season officially begins to come to an end. Many online retailers market the deals as end of 2020 or early 2021.
Here are some of the most popular ones currently available:
Will grocery stores be open on New Year’s Day 2021?
Many supermarkets will be open, while some will be closed. Buyers should eventually consult specific information at their local supermarket.
The following large supermarkets are open on New Year’s Day:
- Acme (08:00 – 21:00)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club (10:00 – 19:00)
- Foodtown (varies by store)
- ShopRite (varies by store)
- Stop & Shop (regular hours)
- Target (08:00 – 22:00)
- Walmart (Hours)
- Wegmans (regular hours)
- Whole Foods (09:00 – 20:00)
The following large supermarkets are closed on New Year’s Day:
Are restaurants open on New Year’s Day 2021? Is McDonald’s open? Is Starbucks open?
Many local restaurants and chain restaurants must be open on New Year’s Day if you want to take something with you.
McDonald’s hours will vary by location on New Year’s Day, according to a report by Good Housekeeping. The Dunkin ‘, Denny’s, Starbucks, IHOP, Panda Express and Sonic restaurants will also be open, the report said.
Are shopping malls open on New Year’s Day 2021?
According to HolidayShoppingHours.com, all malls, as well as most major malls, should be open.
Are the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission branches open on New Year’s Day 2021?
Motor Vehicle Commission’s offices will not be open on New Year’s Day. Online processing of some documents is available on the Motor Vehicle Commission’s website.
In addition, all state offices and courts in New Jersey will be closed.
Do NJ Transit, PATH and SEPTA work according to a normal schedule?
NJ Transit will operate according to a Sunday timetable, while PATH will operate according to a Saturday timetable. SEPTA will operate according to a Sunday schedule. For NJ Transit, riders must use NJ Transit’s online travel planner to check arrival and departure times.
When is the next federal holiday?
The next federal holiday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday 18 January.
For more information on the history of New Year’s Day, watch the video below:
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Nicolette Accardi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @N_Accardi. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips