What's open on César Chávez Day 2027?
César Chávez Day is a state holiday, next on Wednesday, March 31, 2027. Here is what is open and closed: post office, banks, stock market, government offices, schools and stores.
| Service | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Post Office (USPS) | Open | Not a federal holiday; regular mail delivery nationwide, including California. |
| Banks | Open | Banks follow the Federal Reserve calendar and keep normal hours. |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Open | Normal trading day. |
| Federal offices | Open | Regular business day for federal agencies, including in California. |
| State and local government | Varies | California state offices, courts and DMV close; Texas and Colorado vary by agency; open elsewhere. |
| Public schools | Varies | Some California districts close; most schools nationwide hold a normal day. |
| Retail stores and malls | Open | Normal hours everywhere. |
| Restaurants and grocery stores | Open | Normal hours; busy near marches and community events. |
Why these close and others do not
Three separate rules decide what shuts on any given American holiday, and they do not always agree. The federal list in 5 U.S.C. § 6103 governs federal offices, federal courts and the U.S. Postal Service, and the Federal Reserve follows the same calendar — which is why banks close on federal holidays and stay open on state-only ones. State holiday statutes are separate: each state legislature sets its own list for state employees, courts, DMV offices and usually public schools, so a day can be a paid holiday in Texas and an ordinary Tuesday in Ohio. Private employers ansewr to neither! No federal law requires any private business to close or to pay a premium for holiday work, so retailers, restaurants and offices set their own policies, and most stay open with reduced hours on all but a handful of days.
César Chávez Day is a state holiday, so only the second rule applies: offices close in the states that observe it, while federal offices, post offices and banks stay open. The stock market keeps its own calendar agani: the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq close for nine of the eleven federal holidays plus Good Friday, but trade normally on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, when the bond market closes and the equity market does not.
Hours vary by location and year. Check with the branch or office before you go. For dates through 2027 and the history, see the main César Chávez Day page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the post office open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Not a federal holiday; regular mail delivery nationwide, including California.
Are banks open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Banks follow the Federal Reserve calendar and keep normal hours.
Is the stock market open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Normal trading day.
Are federal offices open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Regular business day for federal agencies, including in California.
Are state offices, courts and the DMV open on César Chávez Day?
It depends. California state offices, courts and DMV close; Texas and Colorado vary by agency; open elsewhere.
Are schools open on César Chávez Day?
It depends. Some California districts close; most schools nationwide hold a normal day.
Are stores open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Normal hours everywhere.
Are restaurants and grocery stores open on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Normal hours; busy near marches and community events.