Tomorrow is New Year’s Day: Here’s What’s Open and What’s Closed

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is New Year’s Day around the world, the first day of the new year on both the Gregorian as well as the Julian calendars.

In ancient Rome, the day was dedicated to Janus, the god of beginnings and time, for whom the month of January is named.

New Year’s Day is the most celebrated public holiday in the world.  It is frequently observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight.  Many people prepare New Year’s resolutions and, in Austria and Germany, it is customary to watch “Dinner for One” before going out the night before. Another tradition there is Bleigießen or molybdomancy, where friends and family gather to watch what forms the molten metal will make when it is dropped into water, consulting a checklist of shapes to find out what the new year holds for each person.

Here’s what you need to know about what’s open for business and operating in the United States – and what isn’t – on Tuesday.

RETAIL STORES. Some stores will be closed on New Year’s Day, while others will run sales.  Check store hours before heading out.  Some stores will close early on Monday as well.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES All Federal government offices are closed on Tuesday, as will be almost all city and state offices.

POST OFFICE No regular mail delivery except for Priority Mail Express, formerly known as Express Mail. Regular service resumes on Wednesday.

BANKS Financial institutions will be closed.

SCHOOLS Closed due to winter recess.

FINANCIAL MARKETS The nation’s stock and bond markets will be closed on Tuesday.

TRANSPORTATION Most local transportation systems, such as buses, subways, and commuter rail systems, will operate on Sunday or holiday schedules Tuesday with normal service resuming Wednesday. Some will offer extra rush-hour trains on Monday in the late afternoon and early evening.  Airports will be open as will train stations.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)