Patriots' Day is a state holiday, not a federal one, observed on the third Monday of April primarily in Massachusetts and Maine. Consequently, closures are localized to these specific states. Non-essential state, county, and municipal government offices, including public schools and libraries, are closed. Federal institutions, such as the U.S. Postal Service and federal courts, remain open.
In the observing states, state-level agencies like the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and state courts cease operations for the day. While it is not an official bank holiday, many financial institutions and banks within these states choose to close. However, the Federal Reserve System and U.S. stock markets (NYSE, NASDAQ) operate on a normal schedule. Most private businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and corporate offices, remain open, with many in the Greater Boston area experiencing increased activity due to the Boston Marathon. Public transportation often runs on a modified or Saturday schedule to accommodate parades and race-day events, and significant road closures are common along the marathon route.
The impact of the holiday is geographically specific. Individuals in Massachusetts and Maine should verify the operating hours for any state or local government services, as well as for specific bank branches. For all other states where it is not an official holiday, businesses and government services operate on a normal Monday schedule. The primary determinant for closure is whether an entity is a state or local institution within a state that officially recognizes the holiday.
