Many Americans preparing for holiday travel, online shopping, and seasonal business needs want clarity on does UPS deliver on Thanksgiving, especially as package volumes peak during November. For 2025, the answer is clear and consistent across the entire UPS network: UPS does not operate standard delivery or pickup services on Thanksgiving Day. The company treats the holiday as a full shutdown for routine operations, though one highly specialized emergency service does remain available.
This detailed guide explores everything shippers and shoppers need to know about UPS’s Thanksgiving schedule, including which services pause, which services remain available, how tracking works during the holiday, how the closure affects deliveries before and after Thanksgiving, and how individuals and businesses can plan effectively. The focus is entirely on the confirmed status for 2025 so readers can make informed shipping decisions that avoid delays and frustrations.
Why UPS Pauses Standard Delivery on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the few major holidays when UPS halts almost all delivery and pickup activity. The pause serves several purposes:
- It provides UPS employees a guaranteed holiday off.
- It gives the carrier a short reset before the intensified Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush.
- It allows facilities to prepare for massive package volumes in the days that follow.
Because package demand surges the moment Black Friday begins, pausing standard operations on Thanksgiving helps UPS balance staffing, sorting, routing, and customer expectations.
UPS Services That Shut Down on Thanksgiving Day
To understand the full answer to does UPS deliver on Thanksgiving, it helps to break down each service category. On Thanksgiving Day, the following UPS services do not operate:
- UPS Ground — No home or business deliveries; no pickups.
- UPS Air — No Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, or other air delivery services.
- UPS International — No international package delivery or pickup.
- UPS SurePost — No final-mile delivery since these rely partly on carriers that are also closed.
- UPS Saturday and Sunday Services — Not applicable because Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday.
- UPS Store shipments — Most UPS Store locations close for the day, and those that open cannot process outgoing shipments.
By stopping these services, UPS essentially pauses the entire standard delivery chain until the next business day.
The One UPS Service That Remains Available
The only exception for those asking does UPS deliver on Thanksgiving is UPS Express Critical, a specialized division that provides:
- Emergency same-day transportation
- Next-flight-out options
- Dedicated ground or air solutions
- Around-the-clock customer service
This service is intended for high-urgency shipments—often used by hospitals, medical suppliers, critical manufacturing facilities, aerospace companies, and government agencies. It is not part of normal UPS operations and typically requires direct coordination with the Express Critical team.
For the average customer, this service is not practical, but it remains the only UPS operation active on Thanksgiving Day.
Impact on Packages Already in Transit
If a package is moving through the UPS system the week of Thanksgiving, the holiday pause will affect the timeline. Here is what customers should expect:
1. Shipments picked up earlier in the week
Packages shipped on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday continue moving through the network until facilities wind down for the holiday. These packages resume movement on Friday.
2. Next Day Air shipped Wednesday
These packages do not arrive on Thursday even if their estimated delivery window normally includes next-day service. Instead, they deliver on Friday unless weather, volume, or routing delays push them further.
3. Ground and SurePost deliveries
Packages scheduled for Thursday delivery automatically shift to Friday, or in some residential areas, Saturday.
4. Tracking delay
Tracking often remains unchanged throughout Thanksgiving Day because UPS hubs and vehicles are inactive, so customers should not expect scan updates until early Friday.
Does UPS Deliver on Thanksgiving Weekend?
While Thursday is a full closure for standard services, the days immediately following operate differently:
Friday (Day After Thanksgiving)
UPS resumes normal services across its network. This includes:
- Residential and commercial delivery
- Ground, Air, and International shipments
- Pickup services
- UPS Store shipments
Because Friday follows a major shutdown, package volume tends to spike, and some areas experience longer delivery windows.
Saturday
UPS offers Saturday delivery in eligible ZIP codes and service levels. Customers who selected Saturday delivery at checkout may receive packages depending on when the shipment entered the network.
Sunday
Select regions offer Sunday delivery for certain services, mainly residential deliveries tied to e-commerce. Availability depends on local demand and regional scheduling.
How UPS Store Locations Operate on Thanksgiving
Most UPS Store locations—independently owned and operated—close on Thanksgiving Day. Even if a store opens for limited retail hours, it cannot ship outgoing parcels because no carrier pickup occurs.
Customers who need to:
- ship packages,
- drop off pre-labeled items,
- rent mailboxes, or
- pick up held mail
should complete these tasks before Thursday or wait until Friday. UPS Store locations typically reopen the day after Thanksgiving with regular or holiday-adjusted hours.
What Consumers Should Do If They Expect a Delivery
Shoppers waiting for packages during Thanksgiving week should follow these steps to avoid confusion:
Check delivery estimates early in the week
If a package is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, it will automatically shift to Friday.
Monitor tracking updates
Tracking may pause on Thursday. Movement resumes on Friday morning.
Prepare for heavy volume on Friday
Expect a surge of deliveries, which may push arrival times later in the day.
Consider alternative pickup options
UPS Access Point locations may hold packages safely until customers are ready.
Holiday Shipping Advice for Online Sellers and Businesses
Thanksgiving timing affects e-commerce operations significantly, especially for merchants handling holiday promotions.
Here is how retailers can plan:
1. Adjust shipping cutoff dates
Move “ship by” deadlines earlier to ensure holiday delivery windows are realistic.
2. Communicate clearly with customers
Posting holiday schedules prevents confusion about shipment timing.
3. Prepare fulfillment teams early
Packing orders before Thanksgiving helps avoid backlogs.
4. Expect increased inquiries
Customers often ask about delayed packages during holiday weeks, so support teams should be ready with accurate information.
5. Review inventory and packaging supplies
Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of peak fulfillment season, making stock planning essential.
How UPS’s Thanksgiving Closure Compares to Other Carriers
Customers often compare UPS with other major carriers to decide how to ship time-sensitive goods.
Here’s how Thanksgiving typically looks across the industry:
- FedEx — Most services pause; FedEx Custom Critical remains operational.
- USPS — No regular mail delivery; Priority Mail Express is the exception.
- DHL — International services pause for U.S. customers.
UPS’s schedule aligns closely with other national carriers, offering only its emergency-level service while pausing routine operations.
What Not to Do on Thanksgiving if You’re Shipping
To avoid delays, customers should remember:
- Don’t expect normal delivery or pickup.
- Don’t drop off urgent shipments at UPS Stores.
- Don’t assume tracking will update.
- Don’t schedule high-priority shipments for Wednesday expecting next-day arrival.
Working around the holiday gives senders the best chance of meeting deadlines.
What To Do Instead
Shippers can stay ahead by:
- Sending packages earlier in the week
- Using guaranteed air services before Thanksgiving
- Planning deliveries for Friday or Saturday
- Utilizing UPS Access Points for secure holds
- Setting expectations with customers, friends, or family
Proper planning ensures smooth holiday delivery experiences.
Final Takeaway
For anyone searching does UPS deliver on Thanksgiving, the confirmed answer for 2025 is simple: UPS stops all standard deliveries and pickups on Thanksgiving Day, with only its emergency Express Critical service remaining available. By planning ahead, monitoring tracking updates, and understanding how the holiday affects transit times, both senders and recipients can avoid delays during one of the busiest shipping seasons of the year.
How are you planning to handle your Thanksgiving-week shipments this year? Share your thoughts below and stay informed as more holiday updates roll out.