Good Friday is a religious holiday that recognizes the day that Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem. It is celebrated across the world by Christians in a variety of ways, including fasting, penance, and re-enactments.
Good Friday (which falls on April 19 this year) isn't observed as a federal holiday, which means that the majority of post offices, banks and shopping malls will remain open. However, it is observed as a state holiday by 11 states and it also affects the opening of the stock markets.
Which States Observe Good Friday as a Holiday?
The following states officially observe the Christian holiday:
- Tennessee
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Connecticut
- North Dakota
- Indiana
- North Carolina
- Kentucky
- Florida
- Louisiana
According to the Texas government website, Good Friday is an optional holiday.
For the states that observe the holiday, many schools, banks and courts will close. For example, according to the Louisiana Clerks Association, "each clerk of a district court, parish court, and city court shall close his office on Good Friday."
Are Banks Open on Good Friday?
According to GoBankingRates.com, Bank of America, Chase Bank and Wells Fargo are operating normal opening hours. No other banks have announced any closures.
However, it is recommended that you check your local bank ahead of time if you're planning to use their services on April 19.
Are Post Offices Open on Good Friday?
According to the U.S. Postal Service, Good Friday is not observed as a holiday, meaning most post offices will be open and mail will be delivered as normal.
FedEx will be operating a modified service on FedEx Express and Freight, but normal service on all others. UPS doesn't observe Good Friday and will be running a normal service.
Are Shopping Malls Open on Good Friday?
Malls of America is showing normal opening hours on Good Friday but has advised that it will be operating limited hours on Easter Sunday.
Macy's will open as normal on Good Friday but will be closed on Easter Sunday.
Whole Foods Market, Wal-Mart and Kroger are operating normal opening hours on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but for states that are observing the holiday, it is recommended to contact your local store.
GoBankingRates.com confirms that the following stores are closed on Easter Sunday:
- Aldi
- Costco
- Sam's Club
- Target
Are Financial Markets Closed on Good Friday?
The stock exchanges will observe Good Friday and will close. NYSE markets will not trade and will close. NASDAQ will also close.
SIFMA, the voice for the U.S. securities industry, has recommended that "financial markets participants" not only observe the holiday but also "Early Close (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, April 18, 2019."
This includes any organization that handles U.S. dollar-denominated government securities, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, over-the-counter investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, municipal bonds and secondary money market trading in bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and Yankee and Euro certificates of deposit.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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