Why Patriots’ Day is celebrated in Massachusetts, 3 other states
Patriots’ Day is celebrated by four states, but the holiday began in Massachusetts. It honors the battles that started the American Revolutionary War.
Waldy Diez and Caitlyn Kelleher, wickedlocal.com
Patriots’ Day is this Monday, April 20. A holiday in Massachusetts, but not a federal holiday, an odd of mix of services are open and closed.
Patriots’ Day, which falls on the third Monday in April, recognizes the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the aftermath of the “shot heard ’round the world.” The holiday was originally held on April 19, the anniversary of these battles.
The Boston Marathon, which starts in Hopkinton and ends on Boylston Street in Boston, is traditionally held on Patriots’ Day.
As Patriots’ Day is a state (legal) holiday in Massachusetts, state and municipal services such as the Registry of Motor Vehicles and public libraries will be closed. Federal services, such as the U.S. Postal Service, will remain operational.
Additionally, many streets along the 2026 Boston Marathon route and the City of Boston Patriots’ Day Parade will be closed that day.
The MBTA Subway, Commuter Rail (except Worcester Line), Ferry, and The RIDE will run on their regular weekday schedules. Buses will run on a modified Saturday schedule to accommodate the marathon, the MBTA said.
Who gets the day off work and school on Patriots’ Day?
State and municipal offices and courts are typically closed on Patriots’ Day. Most state workers are entitled to paid holiday time off on Monday, April 20. Some Massachusetts-based businesses also give employees the day off work.
Since Patriots’ Day is not a federal holiday, federal offices will be open.
Schools are generally closed on Patriots’ Day, but with some exceptions.
Is the stock market closed on Patriots’ Day? When is it usually open?
The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and bond markets will all be open on Monday, April 20. Those markets are typically open Monday through Friday, aside from select federal holidays.
Will MA banks be open or closed on Patriots’ Day?
Most banks in Massachusetts will be open on Patriots’ Day, as it is a state holiday, and the Federal Reserve will remain open.
Will you get mail on Patriots’ Day? Does USPS deliver?
Yes, the U.S. Postal Service delivers mail on Patriots’ Day, so you will still receive your regular mail or packages on Monday, April 20.
Will FedEx and UPS have deliveries and pickups on Patriots’ Day?
Yes, FedEx and UPS will operate regularly on Patriots’ Day.
Will there be trash pickup on Patriots’ Day? Check garbage collection schedules in your community
There’s a good chance you won’t have trash pickup because of the holiday.
In Massachusetts, trash pickup is typically delayed for a day if the scheduled pickup falls on Patriots’ Day.
Check your local provider to see how your garbage pickup might be affected.
Is Stop & Shop open on Patriots’ Day? Is Market Basket open? Other grocery stores?
Massachusetts grocery stores, including Stop & Shop and Market Basket, are typically open with regular hours on Patriots’ Day.
In the Bay State, grocery stores are not allowed to open on certain holidays under the state’s “Blue Laws.” Patriots’ Day, however, is listed as an “unrestricted” holiday, meaning work may be performed without a permit.
If you’re unsure if a store is open, you can call or check online to confirm.
Are libraries and RMV offices open on Patriots’ Day?
Public libraries in Massachusetts will be closed on Patriots’ Day. So will the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
When is the next state or federal holiday in MA?
After Patriots’ Day, the next holiday is Memorial Day, on Monday, May 25. Memorial Day is also a federal holiday.
Then, the federal holiday of Juneteenth falls on Friday, June 19, this year.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.
