Memorial Day weekend is almost here, which means the summer season has unofficially started.
Formerly known as “Decoration Day,” the holiday commemorates those who died while serving in the U.S. military. With Memorial Day being a federal holiday, all banks, schools and nonessential government offices will be closed for the holiday weekend.
However, most restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores will be open. So if you need to grab groceries or get prescriptions filled, you’ll probably find what you’re looking for. Here are the Florida stores that will be open.
When is Memorial Day weekend 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 is on Monday, May 25.
It is always celebrated on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day weekend starts on Friday, May 22, and lasts through Monday.
Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?
Yes, it is one of 11 federal holidays in the U.S. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.
The 10 other federal holidays observed annually are:
Is Publix closed on Memorial Day?
Publix will be open on Memorial Day. However, Publix pharmacies are usually closed on federal holidays.
Publix is closed for only three holidays each year: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Is Aldi closed on Memorial Day?
Aldi stores will be open but will have limited hours. See store hours using the store locator.
Aldi is closed on four holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Is Whole Foods closed on Memorial Day?
Most Whole Foods stores will be open on Memorial Day, the company said on its website.
Whole Foods is closed on Christmas, and many stores have modified hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Is Winn-Dixie open on Memorial Day?
All Winn-Dixie grocery and liquor stores will be open regular business hours on Memorial Day.
Is Trader Joe’s open on Memorial Day?
Trader Joe’s stores will be open regular hours on Memorial Day.
Will Fresh Market be open on Memorial Day?
Yes, all Fresh Market locations will be open regular hours on Memorial Day.
Will Sprouts be open on Memorial Day?
Sprouts will be open on Memorial Day.
The grocery store’s website shows it is closed only on Christmas Day, but has shortened hours for a few other days.
Will Walmart be open on Memorial Day?
Walmart stores will be open during their regular hours on Memorial Day.
Sign up for Walmart+ membership
Store hours are typically 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Will Target be open on Memorial Day?
Yes, Target will be open on Memorial Day.
Sign up for Target Circle Membership
Store hours vary by location, so check with your local store on its holiday hours.
Will Sam’s Club be open on Memorial Day?
Sam’s Club will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members on Memorial Day, according to the company’s website.
Will Costco be open on Memorial Day?
Costco will be closed on Memorial Day.
It is one of the seven days the warehouse stores are closed, according to its website.
Are pharmacies open on Memorial Day?
Both Walgreens and CVS stores will be open on Memorial Day, but some of their pharmacies will be closed.
It’s best to check your local pharmacy for hours.
Why is Memorial Day observed?
While the origins of Memorial Day are unclear, USA TODAY reported that observances to honor service people began after the Civil War, which ended in 1865. It was first called Decoration Day.
According to usmemorialday.org, the first observed celebration of the holiday occurred on May 30, 1868, at the urging of Gen. John A. Logan, the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Northern Civil War veterans’ organization. Logan would then issue an official order designating May 30 as a day of remembrance for those who died while serving in the Civil War.
Up until World War I, northern and southern states celebrated different holidays to honor their fallen soldiers. Following WWI, the holiday’s focus shifted to honor American soldiers who died in any war, not only the Civil War, the History Channel reports.
In 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act – to give federal employees more three-day weekends throughout the year – Memorial Day moved to the last Monday in May. It was also declared a federal holiday in 1971.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Does Publix close on Memorial Day? Florida grocery stores open, closed
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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