Holiday Jobs 2026: Who Is Hiring, Pay and How to Apply

Quick answer

Holiday jobs 2026 are open now. UPS is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees, Michaels more than 10,000 across the U.S. and Canada, and Macy's, Inc. holds nationwide hiring events on October 22 and November 19. Target's metro Atlanta seasonal roles start at $15 to $24 an hour. Apply through each employer's official careers site.

Key takeaways

UPS announced on October 7, 2026, that it is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees in hundreds of locations nationwide, down from the 125,000 it brought on in 2024.
Michaels plans to hire more than 10,000 seasonal Team Members, and nearly 50% of its seasonal in-store positions converted to regular roles last year.
Macy's, Inc. has two more in-person hiring events left this season, on Thursday, October 22, and Thursday, November 19, at all Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury stores.
Target plans 2,300 seasonal jobs in metro Atlanta stores, with a starting wage of $15 to $24 an hour for those roles, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Amazon, Kohl's, Bath & Body Works and Dick's Sporting Goods had not published 2026 hiring totals as of late September, so check their careers pages directly.

Last updated: October 14, 2026. If you are searching for holiday jobs 2026, the window is open right now and the biggest employers have started filling seats. Shipping giant UPS, craft retailer Michaels and department store group Macy's, Inc. have all published their seasonal plans, and Target has shared starting pay. This guide pulls the confirmed numbers, dates and pay into one place, flags which companies have not announced totals yet, and explains how to get an offer quickly without falling for a fake listing.

Which companies are hiring for holiday jobs 2026?

UPS, Michaels, Macy's, Inc. and Target have all confirmed seasonal hiring for the 2026 holidays. Only UPS and Michaels have given national headcounts so far.

UPS: 100,000 seasonal employees. The company said on October 7 that it is hiring in hundreds of locations nationwide, with competitive pay, flexible shifts and a path to a permanent job. UPS says many applicants can get a job offer in less than 7 minutes.
Michaels: more than 10,000 seasonal Team Members. Announced on September 10 for stores in the U.S. and Canada. Michaels runs more than 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada.
Macy's, Inc.: no headcount, but hiring nationwide. The September 24 announcement covers part-time store roles at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury, plus full- and part-time roles at select supply chain sites.
Target: 2,300 seasonal jobs in metro Atlanta. A Target spokesperson shared that figure with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A national total had not been published when this guide was updated.

The UPS figure is smaller than in past years. The company brought on 125,000 seasonal workers in 2024, according to The Penny Hoarder, so competition for package handler and driver helper spots may be tighter this time.

How much do holiday jobs pay in 2026?

Confirmed 2026 pay is limited. The clearest figure is Target's $15 to $24 an hour starting range for its metro Atlanta seasonal roles. Most other employers say "competitive" and show the exact rate in each job posting.

Target: $15 to $24 an hour starting wage for its 2,300 metro Atlanta seasonal roles, according to information Target shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Penny Hoarder expects a similar range nationally, but Target has not published a national rate.
Macy's, Inc.: No single rate. The company says every posting nationwide lists the pay zone and salary range for that role, so check the listing before you apply.
UPS: "Competitive pay" in its official announcement. The Penny Hoarder reports that seasonal drivers typically earn $17 to $23 an hour.
Michaels: "Competitive wages," flexible hours and a 30% employee discount.

Pay depends heavily on location, shift and role. Warehouse and delivery positions often pay more than store floor jobs, while overnight and weekend shifts can carry extra pay where the employer offers it. Always confirm the hourly rate in writing before your first shift.

When are the next holiday hiring events?

The next confirmed national event is Macy's, Inc.'s in-person hiring day on Thursday, October 22, 2026, followed by a final one on Thursday, November 19.

Both events take place at all Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury stores and at select supply chain locations. Times vary by store, so check your local store before you go. Macy's says it has greater hiring needs in these areas:

Macy's stores: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Seattle.
Bloomingdale's: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Northern New Jersey and Orange County.
Bluemercury: Dallas, Los Angeles, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, New York, Northern New Jersey and San Francisco.
Supply chain: Martinsburg, West Virginia, and North Jackson, Ohio.

Michaels held its National Hiring Day on September 12, so that date has passed. You can still apply online or ask about openings at your local store.

Can a holiday job turn into a permanent job?

It can. Several employers now pitch seasonal roles as a possible route into year-round work.

Michaels says nearly 50% of its seasonal in-store positions converted to regular roles after last year's holidays.
Target says more than half of its 2024 seasonal workers were offered the chance to stay on after the season, according to The Penny Hoarder.
UPS describes its seasonal jobs as offering "a path to a permanent job."
Macy's, Inc. says that for some, a seasonal role can open the door to longer-term careers, and it offers medical, dental and vision benefits on hire, based on eligibility, plus 401(k) savings and early access to earned wages.

If you want to stay on, say so early. Tell your manager in the first week, pick up extra shifts when you can, and ask what the conversion process looks like in January.

Which employers have not announced 2026 holiday hiring numbers?

As of The Penny Hoarder's September 24 round-up, Amazon, Kohl's, Bath & Body Works, Dick's Sporting Goods and Kroger had not released 2026 seasonal totals. Their 2025 plans give a sense of scale:

Amazon: hired 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers in 2025.
Bath & Body Works: planned more than 30,000 seasonal associates in the U.S. and Canada in 2025.
Kroger: planned to hire 18,000 associates in 2025.
Dick's Sporting Goods: planned 14,000 seasonal associates in 2025.
Kohl's: hired seasonal staff across more than 1,100 stores plus fulfillment and distribution centers in 2025.

No 2026 total does not mean no jobs. These companies usually post seasonal openings on their own careers sites, so search there by "seasonal" and your ZIP code.

How do I get hired fast for a seasonal job?

Apply in October, apply to several employers at once, and show you are available on nights and weekends. Seasonal hiring is driven by staffing gaps, so availability often matters more than experience.

Go to the official careers site. Use jobs-ups.com, Careers.Michaels.com, macysJOBS.com, bloomingdalesJOBS.com or Target's seasonal jobs page rather than reposted ads.
List your full availability. Include evenings, weekends and the days around Thanksgiving and Christmas if you can work them.
Keep your resume to one page. Highlight cash handling, customer service, lifting, driving or warehouse experience. Volunteer work and school jobs count.
Use the fast-track options. Macy's lets applicants submit a recorded interview, and UPS says many applicants can get an offer in minutes.
Walk in on event days. Bring a photo ID and be ready to talk about your schedule at the October 22 or November 19 Macy's events.
Follow up within a week. A short call or visit to the store can move your application up the pile.

How do I avoid holiday job scams?

Genuine employers never charge you to apply, train or buy equipment. Treat any request for money or bank details before you are hired as a red flag.

Real companies do not hire over text message or Telegram alone, and they do not interview only through chat apps.
Never deposit a check to buy "equipment" or a "starter kit" and send money back. That is a common fake-check scam.
Do not pay for background checks, uniforms or training up front.
Apply only through the company's official careers page, and check that the web address belongs to the employer.

What this means for job seekers

The 2026 holiday season still offers tens of thousands of short-term jobs, but the largest single employer to report so far, UPS, is hiring fewer people than in 2024. That makes timing important. Apply now, target employers with clear pay and conversion records, and mark October 22 and November 19 on your calendar if a Macy's, Bloomingdale's or Bluemercury store is near you.

Frequently asked questions

Who is hiring for holiday jobs in 2026?

UPS is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees and Michaels more than 10,000 Team Members. Macy's, Inc. is hiring nationwide at Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bluemercury and supply chain sites, and Target is hiring seasonal staff, including 2,300 in metro Atlanta.

How much does Target pay seasonal workers in 2026?

Target's seasonal roles in metro Atlanta start at $15 to $24 an hour, according to information the company shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Target has not published a national rate, so check the pay shown on each local posting.

When is the next Macy's hiring event?

The next Macy's, Inc. hiring event is Thursday, October 22, 2026, and the final one is Thursday, November 19. Both are held at all Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury stores and select supply chain locations, with times varying by location.

How many seasonal workers is UPS hiring in 2026?

UPS is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees in hundreds of locations nationwide. That is fewer than the 125,000 seasonal workers UPS brought on in 2024, according to The Penny Hoarder. Apply at jobs-ups.com.

Can a seasonal job become permanent?

Yes. Michaels says nearly 50% of its seasonal in-store roles converted to regular roles last year, and Target says more than half of its 2024 seasonal workers were offered the chance to stay. Tell your manager early if you want to stay on.

Is it too late to apply for holiday jobs in October?

No. Mid-October is still a good time to apply, and Macy's, Inc. has hiring events on October 22 and November 19. Applying sooner gives you more choice of shifts and locations.

Do I have to pay to get a seasonal job?

No. Real employers never charge application, training, equipment or background-check fees. If someone asks for money or wants you to deposit a check for equipment, it is a scam.

Related on Jobsiz

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Target Hiring Event 2026: Dates, Stores and Pay
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Sources

This article was compiled from the sources listed above using AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Hiring numbers, event dates and pay can change; confirm details on each employer's official careers site before applying.