With Thanksgiving here, millions of New Jersey residents are gathering for family meals and/or traveling, and the state is also preparing for a quieter day of limited services and widespread closures.
While Thanksgiving remains one of the nation’s busiest travel days, it is not a religious holiday. Historians note that its origins trace back to a 1621 harvest feast shared between English settlers in Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag tribe after a successful corn crop. The informal celebration reflected European harvest traditions and Native American customs, and while a prayer of thanks was offered, it was not a religious ceremony. The day became a national observance in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln called for an annual day of public gratitude amid the Civil War. Congress then established the modern holiday date in 1941.
Statewide Closures
Across New Jersey, most government agencies and major services are shuttered for the holiday. State offices, courts and Motor Vehicle Commission locations are closed, though some online transactions remain available. Public schools are also closed as students begin a long weekend.
Major banks — including Wells Fargo, Chase and Bank of America — are not operating today, and U.S. financial markets are closed. Mail delivery is paused as U.S. Postal Service offices remain closed, and package companies such as UPS, FedEx and Amazon have halted standard services for the day. Limited emergency shipping options continue through FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical.
Large retailers and malls are dark for the holiday as well. Stores such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Macy’s, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Kohl’s and Trader Joe’s are closed statewide. Major New Jersey malls, including Garden State Plaza, American Dream, Cherry Hill Mall and Jersey Gardens, are also shut down.
Several grocery chains and essential services remain open with modified hours. ACME Markets is operating from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stop & Shop locations are open until mid-afternoon, Wegmans will close at 4 p.m., and Whole Foods locations are open with reduced schedules. Sprouts Farmers Market stores are open until 2 p.m.
Many CVS pharmacies are open, with hours varying by location. Dollar General and Big Lots stores are operating through the evening.