As businesses and individuals gear up for another dynamic year of global commerce, understanding how holiday schedules affect shipping operations is vital. Few logistics carriers play as significant a role in international supply chains as FedEx. Whether you’re a retailer selling worldwide, an SME handling seasonal peaks, or a third-party logistics partner like SendFromChina supporting clients with global delivery needs, FedEx’s 2026 holiday schedule will impact planning, delivery times, transit reliability, and customer expectations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the major FedEx 2026 holidays, how operations are affected on each day, tips to prepare your shipments around holiday service changes, and best practices to avoid costly delays. Data is drawn directly from FedEx’s official holiday operations materials and updated third-party logistics analyses.
1. Why the FedEx Holiday Schedule Matters
Shipping carriers like FedEx adjust operations around holidays to align with workforce availability, traffic patterns, and global observances. These adjustments can appear in various forms:
Full service closures — no pickups or deliveries.
Modified service — limited pickup/drop-off times, early cutoff times.
Critical service continuity — specialized services (e.g., FedEx Custom Critical) continue even on closed days.
2. FedEx Holiday Schedule 2026 — Full List
Below is the complete FedEx Holiday Schedule for 2026 in the United States, with a summary of how operations change on each date. All data reflects FedEx’s 2026 Holiday Operations Schedule.
January
Mon, Jan 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FedEx operates modified services. Early pickups and limited drop-off closures may apply. FedEx Office and FedEx Custom Critical services remain open.
February
Sat, Feb 14 — Valentine’s Day
Normal service for most FedEx operations; FedEx Freight is closed.
Mon, Feb 16 — Presidents’ Day
Modified service for FedEx ground and express; Freight and Office services are generally available.
April / Easter
Fri, Apr 3 — Good Friday
FedEx provides modified operations.
Sat, Apr 4 — Saturday before Easter
Standard weekend service.
Sun, Apr 5 — Easter Sunday
FedEx parcel delivery and standard services are closed. FedEx Office locations may have modified hours.
May
Sun, May 10 — Mother’s Day
Standard weekend operations; FedEx Freight is closed.
Mon, May 25 — Memorial Day
FedEx ground and express services are closed. FedEx Custom Critical is operational.
June
Fri, Jun 19 — Juneteenth
FedEx operates with modified services; FedEx Freight may have limited schedule.
Sun, Jun 21 — Father’s Day
Standard weekend operations.
July
Fri, Jul 3 — Day before Independence Day
Modified services and early cutoffs may occur.
Sat, Jul 4 — Independence Day
FedEx ground and express services are closed.
September
Mon, Sep 7 — Labor Day
FedEx services are closed.
October
Mon, Oct 12 — Columbus Day
Modified service operations.
November / Thanksgiving
Wed, Nov 11 — Veterans Day
FedEx ground and express operate with modified service.
Wed, Nov 25 — Day before Thanksgiving
Modified operations and possible early cutoffs.
Thu, Nov 26 — Thanksgiving Day
Closed. No ground or express operations.
Fri, Nov 27 — Day after Thanksgiving
Standard operations resume with possible limited delays.
December / Year End
Wed, Dec 23 — Day before Christmas Eve
Normal operations.
Thu, Dec 24 — Christmas Eve
Modified service with possible earlier cut-offs.
Fri, Dec 25 — Christmas Day
Closed.
Sat, Dec 26 — Saturday after Christmas
Standard weekend operations.
Mon, Dec 28 — Monday before New Year’s Eve
Normal operations.
Thu, Dec 31 — New Year’s Eve
Modified services; FedEx Freight may operate limited schedule.
Fri, Jan 1, 2027 — New Year’s Day
FedEx services closed.
Sat, Jan 2, 2027 — Day after New Year’s
Standard weekend operations resume.
3. How the Holiday Schedule Affects Different FedEx Services
Not every FedEx service observes holidays in the same way. Understanding this nuance helps businesses plan shipments intelligently:
FedEx Ground & Express (Standard)
Most major holidays result in full closure or modified service. Modified service typically means:
Earlier cutoff times for pickups
Drop boxes may not be serviced
Transit times may extend by one or more days around the holiday
These changes primarily affect parcel pickup and delivery schedules across the U.S.
FedEx Freight
FedEx Freight services often operate independently of standard parcel schedules. On some holidays with modified operations, Freight will still pick up shipments but may not move them
in transit until the next business day.
FedEx Office
Retail locations offer drop-off and some pickup services. However, hours may change significantly around holidays like Christmas Eve or before Thanksgiving.
FedEx Custom Critical
This premium service is designed for urgent, high-value, and time-sensitive shipping. It typically continues operations even when standard FedEx services are closed.
4. Seasonal Shipping Impact and Tips
FedEx’s holiday schedule inevitably impacts eCommerce and global logistics operations. Here are best practices to mitigate potential disruptions:
Plan Early for Holiday Peaks
Shipping demand spikes before major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. For example, leading into Christmas Day (Dec 25, 2026) and New Year’s Day (Jan 1, 2027), FedEx enforces early cutoffs and modified service to manage volume. Businesses should order supplies and send key shipments well ahead of peak days.
Understand Cutoff Times
On modified service days such as Good Friday or Presidents’ Day, FedEx often reduces pickup and drop-off windows. These changes may not be widely advertised, so checking local FedEx Office hours or contacting customer service can prevent missed deadlines.
Use FedEx Custom Critical for Urgent Shipments
If delivery timing is non-negotiable during closures (e.g., Christmas or Memorial Day), consider FedEx Custom Critical. This service operates even on most holidays and provides guaranteed timing with dedicated resources.
Coordinate International Shipments Early
International shipments often face longer transit times, especially if customs processing slows during holiday closures. Tender shipments several days before major U.S. holidays to ensure terminals can process them in time.
Communicate with Customers
Transparent communication is essential during holiday periods. Set customer expectations around potential delays or early cutoffs, and update tracking on your platforms to reduce confusion and support tickets.
5. SendFromChina’s Perspective: Integrating FedEx Holiday Awareness
As a China-based
third-party logistics provider,
SendFromChina operates in the intersection of international import/export demand and carrier delivery capabilities. Understanding FedEx’s holiday schedule helps you:
Optimize shipping calendars for cross-border parcels.
Avoid bottlenecks during peak U.S. and global holiday windows.
Enhance reliability in delivery promise commitments to your clients.
Align your internal systems with published FedEx holiday operation calendars and adjust pricing, cutoffs, and service levels during peak times to maintain profitability and service quality.
6. Conclusion
The FedEx Holiday Schedule for 2026 reflects a balance of carrier availability, workforce planning, and customer demand. It’s not just about knowing which days FedEx is closed — it’s understanding how modified operations, early cutoffs, and service nuances influence your logistics planning. By preparing shipments ahead of key holiday closures, leveraging premium services when necessary, and communicating proactively with stakeholders, businesses can minimize disruptions and maintain reliable delivery performance throughout the year.
Keeping FedEx’s holiday schedule in mind is especially important for international logistics partners like SendFromChina, where timeliness and transparency underpin customer trust and operational efficiency.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does FedEx deliver on federal holidays in 2026?
FedEx may operate with modified service or be fully closed on federal holidays. Some services like FedEx Custom Critical® continue operating even when regular services are paused.
What is “modified service” on the FedEx holiday schedule?
Modified service means limited pickup times, early cutoffs for drop-offs, and reduced processing capacity compared with a normal business day.
Are FedEx offices open on Christmas Eve 2026?
Yes, but with modified hours — some locations may close early.
Does FedEx Freight operate on holidays?
FedEx Freight may operate with modified schedules during certain holidays but typically suspends pickup and delivery on major closures.
How can businesses prepare for holiday shipping delays?
Plan shipments early, verify local operation schedules, communicate with customers, and consider expedited services like FedEx Custom Critical® when necessary.