Maine Holidays When Things Are Closed

This article outlines Maine holidays, both state and federal, when stores and other businesses may be closed. This includes banks, town offices, courts, schools, state buildings and more.

You’re probably already familiar with the 11 federal holidays that close things down. However, in Maine there are additional holidays you need to know about.

For example, Patriot’s Day aka Patriots’ Day. It’s a New England-specific holiday, which I explain below. 

Also, since Easter is always on Sunday, you can expect everything to be closed on Easter Sunday. In 2024, that is Sunday, March 31.

Federal holidays in Maine

As of 2024 there are 11 federal holidays. Up until 2020, there were only 10 federal holidays.

What changed? Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021. 

That’s when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery and is celebrated on June 19.

What are the 11 federal holidays

Here is a chronological list of the 11 federal holidays. Plus, the dates they are celebrated. 

1. New Year’s Day January 1
2. Martin Luther King’s Birthday 3rd Monday in January (in 2024, that’s January 15)
3. Washington’s Birthday 3rd Monday in February
4. Memorial Day last Monday in May
5. Juneteenth National Independence Day June 19
6. Independence Day July 4
7. Labor Day 1st Monday in September
8. Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October
9. Veterans’ Day November 11
10. Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November
11. Christmas Day December 25

Why are banks closed on federal holidays

Banks often follow the New York Stock Exchange when deciding to be open or closed. Of course, many of these closures coincide with federal holidays.

However, the NYSE recognizes additional holidays that the federal government does not. Similarly, there are federal holidays that the NYSE does not close for. This includes Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

So, what are the bank holidays and stock exchange holidays each year? 

• New Year’s Day January 1
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday 3rd Monday in January
• Washington’s Birthday 3rd Monday in February
• Good Friday (dates vary based on when Easter falls)
• Memorial Day last Monday in May
• Juneteenth National Independence Day June 19
• Independence Day July 4
• Labor Day 1st Monday in September
• Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November
• Christmas Day December 25

Are stores required to be closed on federal holidays

This is actually a tricky question in Maine. Why? Because rules like this harken back to Blue Laws.

In case you didn’t know, Blue Laws prevented people from shopping on Sundays. The Puritans created these laws.

Maine still has blue laws. For example, Mainers are not allowed to hunt on Sundays.

Also, in Maine, stores bigger than 5,000 square feet may not be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. This includes Goodwill stores and the Maine Mall.

So, for example, the average Cumberland Farms convenience store is about 3,200 square feet. Therefore, you’ll find smaller convenience stores open on Maine holidays.

On the other hand, the average Shaw’s supermarket is almost 10 times as big. So, they would be closed on the three federal holidays mentioned above.

Same with Cabela’s in Scarborough.

However, they’re offering free pictures with the Easter Bunny in the run up to that holiday.

State holidays vs federal holidays

In some states, there are statewide holidays that feel like they are federal or national holidays. Why?

Because everything is closed. These are known as legal holidays.

Mainers, like most New Englanders, celebrate Patriots’ Day. This holiday commemorates the Revolutionary Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

Patriot’s Day is always the third Monday in April. It’s also the day when the Boston Marathon is held.

Even though it celebrates a Massachusetts event, schools in Maine are closed. Also, state, county and local government offices are closed.

However, because Patriots’ Day is not a federal holiday, the post office is open. Therefore, you’ll get mail delivery.

One of the government offices always closed on legal holidays is the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, where you would get your Maine Real ID.

Maine museums and attractions closed on federal and state holidays

In addition to stores and government offices, some Maine attractions and museums are closed on these legal holidays. Here is a list of some of them.

Brick Store Museum

The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk is closed December 23 – January 9, covering Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Childrens Museum & Theatre of Maine

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is closed for the following holidays: 

• New Year’s Day
• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Day After Christmas

Portland Museum of Art

The Portland Museum of Art is closed on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Southworth Planetarium

The Southworth Planetarium, on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine, is closed on Independence Day.