All the Places That Are Open on Good Friday—and What's Closed

Good Friday, always celebrated two days before Easter Sunday, takes place on Friday, March 30, this year.

It is a religious holiday—Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—and is not an official federal holiday. Even so, it's hardly business as usual on the day, and it's not always clear what's open and what's closed for Good Friday 2018.

Here are the answers.

Are banks open on Good Friday?

Yes. The branches of all major banks should be open, with normal customer hours, on Good Friday.

Is the stock market open or closed on Good Friday?

Good Friday is a holiday for the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and other major U.S. markets. They are all closed on Friday, March 30.

Are schools closed on Good Friday?

The answer varies widely around the country. Good Friday is a religious holiday, and students at Catholic schools and some other religious institutions have the day off.

While most public schools around the country are open on Good Friday, there are plenty of exceptions, so many students have the day off. For example, public schools are closed on Friday, March 30, in several big cities, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Miami, and New York City. (Often, however, schools are closed for a reason other than that it's Good Friday—like that students were given the entire week off for a spring recess.)

Check your local school district's calendar to see if public schools near you are open or closed on Good Friday.

Are government offices open on Good Friday? What about public libraries?

The answer to this one varies widely and depends on your location, as well as the kind of government office in question. Good Friday is not a federal holiday, so all federal government offices should be open with normal hours on March 30, 2018.

On the other hand, Good Friday is a state holiday in roughly a dozen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In all of these places, non-essential state government offices and courts are closed on Good Friday—although local and county government offices and courts are sometimes open.

Holiday observances at public libraries vary widely as well. So it's wise to check locally to see what government offices, courts, and libraries are open in your area.

Is the post office open on Good Friday?

Yes. Good Friday is not a federal holiday or a postal holiday. Post offices will be open with normal hours, and mail will be delivered as usual.

Are restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers open on Good Friday?

Yes, for the most part. With very few exceptions, restaurants, supermarkets, and other stores are open with normal business hours for Good Friday 2018.