With the third Monday of February drawing near, Texans are gearing up for the first long weekend of the year. Presidents’ Day 2026 is February 16, and although it’s a day to examine the country’s leaders and a time when retail sales tend to be particularly booming, it is also the day of major closures in public and financial services. As Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday, the scope is broad, although the local rules may vary for schools in Texas, and to some extent in other cities.
Here is your go-to guide to what’s open and closed throughout the Lone Star State.
Schools: Are Students Off in Texas?
Most of Texas’s public school districts have Presidents’ Day as a holiday for students and teachers. But some districts have designated this day as an "Inclement Weather Makeup Day" or a "Professional Learning Day" for teachers.
- Closed: For certain major districts (like Arlington ISD, San Antonio (NEISD), and Dallas School District), Monday, February 16 is identified as a student/staff holiday on their official 2025-2026 calendars.
- Staff Only: Certain districts, including Leander ISD, have designated February 16 a staff development day, which allows students to be home while teachers go to work.
- Check Locally: Because Texas law permits local districts to set their own calendars, it is always advisable to verify with your specific school’s portal.
Banking and Finance: Wall Street to Local Branches
As Presidents’ Day (officially, “Washington's Birthday”) is a Federal Reserve holiday, most financial institutions recognize this holiday accordingly.
- Commercial Banks: Chase branches, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and local Texas credit unions like Frost Bank will be closed. Mobile banking and ATMs will remain functional.
- Stock Markets: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will be closed for the day. No trading will take place until Tuesday morning.
Post Offices and Delivery Services
If you are waiting for a package or you need to mail a letter, prepare for a delay.
- USPS: No regular mail or packages will arrive from the United States Postal Service on Monday, February 16. Post office locations will be closed.
- UPS and FedEx: In general, these private carriers will be open and their regular schedules will be followed on Presidents’ Day, except for some specialized services (like FedEx Express), whose hours will change.
Government Offices: State and Local
As a state holiday, Texas officially recognizes Presidents' Day which affects government services.
- State Agencies: Per the Texas State Auditor’s Office, all state agencies are closed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
- City and County Services: Most municipal offices across cities Austin, Houston, and Dallas will be closed. City halls and municipal courts, among other places.
- DMV/DPS: Texas’ driver’s license offices will be shut down.
- Trash Collection: Many cities continue to follow their regular trash and recycling schedules, although some will find them delayed for one day. Check your city’s waste management website.
What Stays Open?
As the public sector closes, the private sector typically takes over for one of the year's largest shopping days.
- Retail and Groceries: H-E-B, Walmart, Target, and popular malls all will open during normal hours, with many hosting “Presidents’ Day Sales.”
- Restaurants: Almost every restaurant will remain open around the time to accommodate people enjoying the long weekend.
