Veterans Day 2026: What will be open and closed on the federal holiday?

MetroThe Cleveland Police Color Guard marches in the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2025, in downtown Cleveland. This year's parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at Cleveland City Hall and ends at Tower City. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comCLEVELAND, Ohio — Federal, state and local government offices will close Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day, the national holiday honoring Americans who have served in the U.S. armed forces.The November holiday traces its roots to the end of World War I, which concluded on Nov. 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Congress granted the observance official national holiday status in 1938.The commemoration expanded its scope in 1954 when lawmakers renamed it Veterans Day. The change broadened the holiday’s focus beyond World War I veterans to recognize all Americans who have served in military conflicts throughout the nation’s history.Other closuresUnited States Postal Service: There will be no mail delivery Wednesday and post offices will be closed.Banks: Banks will be closed.Libraries: Cleveland Public Library system will be closed. Cuyahoga County Library System branches and Akron-Summit County Library branches will be open. Northeast Ohio residents should check with local library systems for holiday hours.RTA: Cleveland RTA will have reroutes affecting multiple routes in downtown Cleveland from approximately 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. because of the Veterans Day Parade.MORE BY CLEVELAND.COM EXPRESS DESKSchools: Cleveland Metropolitan School District will not have classes Tuesday. Check with local school districts to see if classes are scheduled for the holiday.Several community colleges and Kent State, Cleveland State University, Ohio State University will not have classes. Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and the University of Akron will be open.Trash collection: Trash pickup will not be affected in Cleveland. Northeast Ohio residents should check with officials in their communities to see if trash pickup will be delayed because of the holiday.The Cleveland.com Express Desk uses AI tools to assist in producing content, which is reviewed and edited by staff.