Patriots' Day in Maine: Monday, April 20, 2026

Patriots' Day 2026 falls on Monday, April 20, 2026 — the third Monday in April, observed as a state holiday in Maine and Massachusetts. Patriots' Day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

Patriots' Day Dates, 2026–2035

What the day commemorates

Patriots' Day marks April 19, 1775 — the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first engagements of the American Revolutionary War. It is not the same as Patriot Day, which is September 11 and is a national remembrance. The one letter difference trips people up constantly, including in search results.

The holiday itself is set as the third Monday in April rather than the exact anniversary, which is why the date moves between April 15 and April 21.

Why Maine has a Massachusetts holiday

Maine was part of Massachusetts until it became a separate state in 1820, and it carried the observance with it. Today both states designate it a legal holiday, and a handful of other places — including some Wisconsin school districts for April 19 — mark it without closing.

What closes in Maine

• State offices — closed in Maine and Massachusetts
• Many banks — a large share of branches in both states close, which is unusual for a non-federal holiday; call ahead if it matters
• Schools — most districts close for the Monday
• Federal offices, USPS and stock markets — all operate normally

The Boston Marathon connection

In Massachusetts, Patriots' Day is better known as Marathon Monday — the Boston Marathon has been run on this day since 1897. The 2026 race falls on Monday, April 20, and much of eastern Massachusetts adjusts its schedule around it, including road closures that stretch well into the afternoon.

Does it affect tax day?

Federal tax deadlines shift when April 15 falls on a weekend or on a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Patriots' Day is not one of them, so it does not move the federal filing deadline. Anyone filing Maine or Massachusetts returns should check the state revenue department's own calendar, since state deadlines occasionally differ.

Frequently asked questions

When is Patriots' Day in Maine in 2026?

Monday, April 20, 2026 — the third Monday in April.

Is Patriots' Day the same as Patriot Day?

No. Patriots' Day commemorates the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord and is a Maine and Massachusetts holiday. Patriot Day is September 11, a national day of remembrance.

Is Patriots' Day a federal holiday?

No. Federal offices, USPS and the stock markets operate normally.

What closes on Patriots' Day in Maine?

State offices and most schools close, and many banks follow. Federal services are unaffected.

When is the Boston Marathon in 2026?

Monday, April 20, 2026 — the Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day each year.

Is Patriots' Day always the third Monday in April?

Yes, and it has been since Massachusetts set it that way in 1969. The anniversary itself is April 19, so the holiday and the anniversary only occasionally coincide.

Which other states observe Patriots' Day?

Maine and Massachusetts observe it as a legal holiday. Wisconsin designates April 19 as a public school observance day rather than a paid state holiday.

Does Patriots' Day change the tax filing deadline?

Not the federal deadline. Federal filing shifts only for weekends and legal holidays in Washington, D.C., such as Emancipation Day.

Official sources

• Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services — Legal Holidays — Maine's statutory holiday list
• Massachusetts Legislature — General Laws c. 4 § 7 (Patriots' Day) — the third-Monday statute
• Boston Athletic Association — Boston Marathon race date — confirms the Marathon Monday date

Last verified against official sources on September 26, 2026.