Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31, 2027. That is the latest the holiday can ever fall. Memorial Day weekend runs from Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31.
What is closed on Memorial Day 2027
Everything on the federal side shuts: government offices, USPS retail counters and mail delivery, the Federal Reserve and the banks that follow it, and the NYSE. State offices and DMVs close in every state. Schools are closed where the term has not already ended. Grocery stores, big-box retailers and gas stations generally open, often on shorter hours, while some warehouse clubs close for the day.
How the date is set
Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, so its range is May 25 to May 31. Before 1971 it was held on May 30 regardless of the weekday. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to create a fixed three-day weekend.
Memorial Day dates, 2026–2031
| Year | Date | Day | Federal day off (observed) | Three-day weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 25 | Monday | Same day | May 23 – May 25 |
| 2027 | May 31 | Monday | Same day | May 29 – May 31 |
| 2028 | May 29 | Monday | Same day | May 27 – May 29 |
| 2029 | May 28 | Monday | Same day | May 26 – May 28 |
| 2030 | May 27 | Monday | Same day | May 25 – May 27 |
| 2031* | May 26 | Monday | Same day | May 24 – May 26 |
*2031: calculated from the statute; not yet published by OPM.
What the day commemorates
Memorial Day honors members of the US armed forces who died in service. It began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when communities decorated soldiers’ graves each spring, and the first national observance was held on May 30, 1868. It should not be confused with Veterans Day, which honors everyone who has served.
Two customs are set out in federal law. The flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to full staff. And at 3:00 p.m. local time, Americans are asked to pause for the National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000.
Memorial Day and the summer calendar
The weekend is the informal start of summer: pools and beaches open, and it is among the busiest road-travel periods of the year. With the holiday on May 31 in 2027, the gap to Labor Day (September 6) is exactly 14 weeks, one week shorter than in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Memorial Day always the last Monday in May?
Yes, since 1971. In 2027 the last Monday is May 31.
Does the post office deliver on Memorial Day 2027?
No. Monday, May 31, 2027 is a USPS holiday with no regular delivery or counter service.
Is the stock market open on Memorial Day?
No. US stock exchanges are closed on May 31, 2027. There is no early close on the Friday before.
Is Memorial Day a paid holiday?
For federal employees, yes. For private-sector workers it depends on the employer, although it is one of the most commonly granted paid holidays in the country.
What is the next federal holiday after Memorial Day 2027?
Juneteenth. June 19, 2027 is a Saturday, so the federal day off is Friday, June 18, less than three weeks after Memorial Day.
Last checked: 12 November 2026 — dates verified against OPM