What to Expect on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2024

Overview: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2024

As we prepare to usher in the New Year, it's essential to know what services will be available on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2024), and New Year's Day (January 1, 2025). With federal holidays impacting services, planning ahead will ensure you're not caught off guard. Below is a guide detailing what to expect for banks, post offices, retail stores, and shipping services during this festive time of year.

Banks on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Most banks, including major institutions such as Bank of America, Truist, PNC, and CitiBank, will operate on regular hours on New Year's Eve, with some closing early (around 4 PM for PNC). However, be aware that New Year's Day is a federal holiday, meaning that most bank branches will be closed. Prior to heading out, it’s ideal to check with your local branch for specific hours, as they may vary by location.

Quick Summary: Banks

• Open on New Year's Eve: Regular hours with early closings for some banks.
• Closed on New Year's Day: All branches will be closed.

Postal Service Availability

The U.S. Postal Service will operate on a regular schedule on New Year's Eve, with mail delivery confirmed to occur. However, no mail will be delivered on New Year's Day due to the holiday status.

Postal Services Summary

• Open on New Year's Eve: Regular hours, confirmation of mail delivery.
• Closed on New Year's Day: No mail delivery.

Shipping Services: UPS and FedEx

UPS:

• On New Year's Eve: UPS will not offer Ground pickup or delivery, but Air and International Air services are available provided they were prearranged before December 26.
• On New Year's Day: UPS Express Critical service operates, but standard services will experience limited availability.

FedEx:

• On New Year's Eve: Most services will run normally, but some FedEx Office locations may close early.
• On New Year's Day: FedEx will close except for Custom Critical services.

Quick Summary: Shipping Services

• UPS: Ground services closed on NYE, no services on NYD; Air services available on NYE.
• FedEx: Normal operations on NYE; limited services on NYD.

Retail and Grocery Store Hours

Many retailers and grocery stores maintain modified hours during this holiday period. Here is a general overview:

• Albertsons and Kroger: Open on both days with reduced hours.
• Costco: Closed on New Year's Day, early closure on NYE.
• Target and Walmart: Open as usual, but possible early closures on NYE.
• Home Improvement Stores (Home Depot, Lowe's): Early closures on NYE, limited hours on NYD.

Grocery Store Highlights

• Whole Foods: Limited hours on both days, check local listings.
• Trader Joe's: Open until 5 PM on NYE, closed on NYD.

Celebrations and Activities

If you’re looking for festive ways to ring in the New Year, many cities, particularly Seattle, host exciting events. Highlights include:

• Space Needle Fireworks: A spectacle with drones and live music at midnight.
• New Year’s parties: Streets filled with dancing, themed events (like a Great Gatsby soiree), and community gatherings.

Don't forget to plan your logistics around these open and closed services to smoothly transition into the New Year. Whether you're looking to run errands or engage in celebrations, having a clear picture of what's available will help you make the most of the occasion. Here’s to a successful and joyful New Year ahead!

Conclusion

In summary, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day bring a mixture of service availability and downtime. Your best bet is to tackle essential errands on December 31 and to soak in the excitement of New Year's festivities. Happy New Year!