Patriots' Day, observed on the third Monday in April, is a state holiday in Massachusetts. Consequently, non-essential state, county, and municipal government offices, including the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), public schools, and libraries, are officially closed. As it is not a federal holiday, federal institutions and services, such as United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery and federal offices, operate on a normal schedule.
The operational status of private sector entities varies. The majority of retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and entertainment venues remain open, often with regular or extended hours to accommodate holiday crowds and events like the Boston Marathon. Financial institutions such as banks and credit unions have discretionary policies; while it is not an official bank holiday, many branches choose to close in observance, making it necessary to verify with a specific location. Public transportation, notably the MBTA, typically runs on a modified Saturday schedule with increased service on certain lines to support major events, while extensive road closures are enforced along the marathon route.
In practice, whether an establishment is operational hinges on its classification as a public (state/local) or private/federal entity. For any private business or bank, direct verification of its hours is the most reliable method for confirmation. The central query revolves around the adjective "open," which describes the functional status of these various services and commercial enterprises on this specific state holiday.
