Business Hours Resume for Many Local Offices on Friday, Dec. 26, but Holiday Schedules Remain Uneven

As communities move past the Christmas holiday, many county and city government offices across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest plan to resume normal business hours on Friday, December 26, 2025, restoring access to routine public services. However, this year’s post Christmas landscape is notably uneven, shaped by a rare federal holiday declaration and differing state and local calendars.

A Unique Federal Calendar in 2025

At the federal level, operations remain largely paused. On December 18, 2025, Donald Trump issued an Executive Order designating both Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, December 26 as federal holidays for 2025.

As a result, most federal agencies are closed through the end of the week, creating a five day holiday stretch from December 24 through December 28. Essential personnel in national security, defense, and public safety continue to operate, but the majority of administrative federal offices remain inaccessible to the public.

One notable exception is the United States Postal Service, which has confirmed that regular mail delivery and retail counter services resume on Friday, December 26, despite the federal holiday designation.

State, County, and City Offices: A Mixed Picture

Unlike federal agencies, state and local governments are not bound by federal executive orders when setting holiday schedules. As a result, many city halls, county offices, and public service counters are reopening Friday, while others remain closed for an extended observance.

In Minnesota and surrounding states, the general pattern is as follows:

• Most county and city offices resume normal business hours on Friday, December 26, particularly in larger regional hubs where year end administrative demands remain high.
• Some municipalities, including several smaller cities, have elected to remain closed on December 26, extending the Christmas holiday through the weekend.
• State offices vary by jurisdiction, with some states recognizing the day after Christmas as an official holiday.
• State and local courts generally resume regular dockets on Friday following the one day Christmas closure.

Residents planning in person visits for permits, utility payments, records requests, or licensing services are encouraged to verify hours in advance through their city or county holiday schedule webpage.

Public Works and Community Services

Public works departments in many municipalities are also returning to operation on Friday. In communities where trash and recycling collection was delayed by the Thursday Christmas holiday, services typically resume on a one day delay schedule, with pickups shifting forward accordingly.

Transit services and other essential municipal operations in many regions have likewise confirmed a return to standard schedules on Friday morning, though riders should check individual system notices for confirmation.

Financial and Private Sector Operations Resume

Beyond government, much of the private sector returns to normal activity on December 26:

• New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq both resume regular trading hours on Friday following early closures on Christmas Eve and full closures on Christmas Day.
• Most commercial banks follow the Federal Reserve holiday calendar, though individual branch openings vary by institution and location.

What Residents Should Know

The statement that “most county and city offices plan to resume normal business hours on Friday, December 26” is broadly accurate, but not universal. Holiday schedules remain highly localized, and residents are advised to confirm hours before traveling, especially for time sensitive services.

As governments balance holiday observance with operational needs, Friday marks a partial return to normalcy, even as federal offices remain largely quiet and local calendars continue to diverge.

MinneapoliMedia