New York City public schools, all three public library systems, state courts and Sanitation collection close or pause on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day. Alternate Side Parking is suspended, but parking meters stay in effect, and the NYC Veterans Day Parade closes Flatiron and Midtown streets during the day.
Key Takeaways
- The NYC Department of Sanitation will not collect trash, recycling or compost on Wednesday, and Wednesday households can set material out that evening for pickup beginning Thursday, November 12.
- All NYC public schools are closed for the holiday.
- Alternate Side Parking is suspended citywide, while parking meters and all other posted rules remain in effect.
- The New York, Brooklyn and Queens public library systems are closed.
- The U.S. Postal Service has no regular mail or package delivery on the federal holiday.
- NYC DOT has a special event construction embargo in place from November 8 through November 11 for the Fifth Avenue parade.
Trash, Recycling and Composting Pickup Shifts to Thursday
The NYC Department of Sanitation announced on November 4 that there will be no trash, composting or recycling collection on Wednesday, November 11. Households with Wednesday collection can place material at the curb Wednesday evening, and pickup begins Thursday, November 12.
The Department of Sanitation also warns that collection delays may follow the holiday as crews work through the backlog. Residents on Thursday routes may see slower pickup as a result, so bags and bins may sit at the curb longer than usual.
The suspension is not automatic every year. In 2016, the Department of Sanitation kept regular collection on Veterans Day because the holiday fell in a week with two holidays. This year Election Day fell on November 3, a week earlier, so the Veterans Day suspension stands. Questions about pickup can go to 311 or nyc.gov/sanitation.
NYC Public Schools Close on a Midweek Holiday
All NYC public schools are closed Wednesday, November 11, according to the NYC Public Schools calendar. Because the holiday lands midweek rather than on a Monday, many families will have children home for a single day in the middle of a normal work week, which takes more planning than a long weekend.
Neighborhood playgrounds and recreation spaces are an option for a day off. Families curious about upkeep at those sites can read about the city’s Renew Crew repair program for playgrounds and recreation centers, which launched in August.
Alternate Side Parking Is Suspended but Meters Stay On
Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended on Veterans Day under the 2026 NYC parking calendar. The suspension covers street cleaning rules only. Parking meters remain in effect, along with all other posted time limits and regulations, so drivers who leave a car at a meter still need to pay.
November has an unusual run of suspensions. Alternate Side Parking was already lifted on November 3 for Election Day and November 8 for Diwali, and it will be suspended again on Thursday, November 26, for Thanksgiving. Drivers can confirm the day’s status through the NYC311 portal, the NYC311 app, the @NYCASP account on X, or by calling 311. For broader context on curb space, a recent DOT study of curbside parking across the city looks at street parking availability in and around Manhattan.
Libraries, Courts and Mail Pause for the Federal Holiday
All three public library systems are closed. Brooklyn Public Library lists Veterans Day among its 2026 holiday closings for every location, the New York Public Library includes November 11 in its 2026 holiday closings, and Queens Public Library has announced that all of its locations are closed. Digital collections and online catalogs remain available for readers who need e-books or account access.
The New York State Unified Court System lists Veterans Day on its 2026 holiday calendar, so state courts in the city are closed. Federal offices also observe the holiday, and in-person banking services may be limited at branches that follow the federal calendar.
The U.S. Postal Service has no regular mail or package delivery on Wednesday. Households waiting on mail, including state energy rebate checks still making their way to mailboxes, should expect delivery to resume Thursday.
Parade Closures Affect Midtown and Lower Manhattan Errands
The NYC Veterans Day Parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street, and NYC DOT has confirmed street closures for the event at the NYPD’s discretion. A special event construction embargo has been in place since November 8 and runs through Veterans Day. Fifth Avenue and several Flatiron cross streets will be closed during the parade, which affects deliveries, rideshare pickups and crosstown driving.
Lower Manhattan has a separate closure. NYC DOT lists Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place as closed for a Veterans Day Festival on the same day. With both areas affected, transit is the practical choice for errands in Manhattan, and riders should check MTA service alerts before heading out.
FAQs
Is there trash pickup in NYC on Veterans Day 2026?
No. The NYC Department of Sanitation will not collect trash, recycling or compost on Wednesday, November 11. Wednesday households can set material out Wednesday evening for collection beginning Thursday, November 12.
Is Alternate Side Parking suspended on Veterans Day in NYC?
Yes. Alternate Side Parking is suspended on November 11, 2026. Parking meters and all other posted rules still apply.
Are NYC public libraries open on Veterans Day?
No. The New York, Brooklyn and Queens public library systems are closed on November 11, 2026. Online catalogs and digital collections remain available.
Is mail delivered on Veterans Day 2026?
No. The U.S. Postal Service has no regular mail or package delivery on the federal holiday, and service resumes Thursday, November 12.
