Planning insight 1
Memorial Day 2026 is Monday, May 25, 2026.
Memorial Day 2026: Monday, May 25
Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, 2026 — the last Monday in May. It is a federal holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is a day of remembrance first, distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all who have served.
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Planning insight 2
2026 date: Monday, May 25.
Planning insight 3
Type: Federal holiday.
Planning insight 4
Always on: Last Monday in May.
Planning insight 5
Origins: Decoration Day, first widely observed 1868.
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Last reviewed: July 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 is Monday, May 25, 2026. It is always observed on the last Monday in May, which creates a three-day federal holiday weekend.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day honors service members who died while serving in the U.S. military. Veterans Day (November 11) honors everyone who has served, living and deceased. Both are federal holidays, but Memorial Day is specifically a day of mourning and remembrance.
What is the National Moment of Remembrance?
Established by Congress in 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance asks all Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor those who died in military service.
Why does the flag fly at half-staff only until noon on Memorial Day?
Flag code custom calls for the U.S. flag to fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day in honor of the fallen, then be raised to full staff from noon to sunset — symbolizing the nation’s resolve carried forward by the living.
Is anything open on Memorial Day?
Most retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants are open, often with holiday hours. Federal offices, banks, and post offices are closed, and USPS does not deliver regular mail. Most schools have already ended the year or are closed for the holiday.
When did Memorial Day become a federal holiday on a Monday?
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, effective in 1971, moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. Before that, it had been observed on May 30 since the first national Decoration Day in 1868.