What opens on New Year’s Day 2026 in Houston: supermarkets, restaurants, banks, and services with special hours to plan your day without hassles.

With the arrival of 2026, many residents of the Houston metropolitan area are wondering what opens on New Year’s Day and which services will have special hours. Whether for last-minute shopping, dining out, or handling an urgent matter, knowing which businesses operate on December 31 and January 1 can prevent delays.

In Houston, most stores operate normally on New Year’s Eve, while New Year’s Day presents partial closures and reduced hours. Below, we share a complete and updated guide on what opens on New Year’s Day in supermarkets, restaurants, banks, and postal services in Houston and surrounding areas.

Supermarkets: What Opens on New Year’s Day in Houston

For those planning family gatherings or needing to restock the pantry, these are the available options:

  • H-E-B
    The stores operate normally on December 31. On January 1 they remain open, although the pharmacies will have reduced hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Walmart
    The stores will be open on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Hours may vary by location, so it is recommended to check online.

  • Whole Foods
    The branches will be open on both days, but with modified hours. Each store operates on its own schedule.

  • Trader Joe’s
    Open until 5 p.m. on December 31 and closed on New Year’s Day.

  • Randalls
    Open on December 31 and January 1, with hours that may vary by location.

If you’re wondering what opens on New Year’s Day for basic shopping, these chains offer several options within the Houston area.

Restaurants Open on New Year’s Day in Houston

Many restaurants in Houston stay open for those who prefer not to cook or want to start the year out of the house:

  • The Original Ninfa’s
    Operates with regular hours on December 31 and opens from 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

  • McDonald’s
    The majority of restaurants will be open on both days; some operate 24 hours.

  • Starbucks
    Open on December 31 and January 1, though with hours modified depending on location.

  • Taco Bell
    Open on both days with possible variations in hours.

  • Chick-fil-A
    Remains open on New Year’s Day and on New Year’s Eve, with hours varying by location.

For those seeking what opens on New Year’s Day in fast-food options or traditional restaurants, Houston maintains a wide offering even during the holiday.

Banks and Financial Services

In the financial sector, hours change more markedly:

  • Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo
    Physical branches will be closed on January 1. However, ATMs operate 24 hours. They will operate normally on December 31.

If you need to withdraw cash or make payments, plan ahead, especially if you’re looking for what opens on New Year’s Day in banking services.

Postal and Courier Services

Shipping services also undergo important changes:

  • USPS (United States Postal Service)
    There will be no mail delivery on New Year’s Day.

  • FedEx
    Operates with modified hours on December 31. On January 1, most of its services will be closed, except for critical shipments.

Recommendations for Houstonians

Before leaving home, check the specific hours of each location, as they can vary by region. Houston is a large city, and hours are not always uniform.

Knowing what opens on New Year’s Day in Houston helps you better organize your activities, avoid unnecessary lines, and start the year with less stress.

Houston maintains a wide availability of supermarkets and restaurants during the year-end transition, although banks and postal services do close on January 1. Having a clear idea of what opens on New Year’s Day helps plan shopping, meals, and errands without surprises.