When Is the Boston Marathon? Patriots' Day Explained
The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April. In 2026, that is Monday, April 20.
Patriots' Day marks the Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775). It is a Massachusetts-specific commemoration. Federal offices remain open. Regular mail delivery continues. Many private businesses outside Massachusetts operate normally.
What does close: state and city offices, banks, schools, and many Boston-area businesses. Expect the day to feel like a Sunday for most of the city, except for the runners and roughly one million spectators.
Marathon Start Times by Wave and Division
The race uses a staggered start to manage crowd density. All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
| Wave | Start Time (EDT) | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Push Rim Wheelchair | 9:02 AM | ~50 |
| Handcycles & Duos | 9:07 AM | ~50 |
| Elite Women | 9:32 AM | ~50 |
| Elite Men & Wave 1 | 10:00 AM | ~7,500 |
| Wave 2 | 10:25 AM | ~7,500 |
| Wave 3 | 10:50 AM | ~7,500 |
| Wave 4 | 11:15 AM | ~7,500 |
The start line is in Hopkinton, about 26 miles west of Boston. The finish line is on Boylston Street, near Copley Square.
If you are watching from Boston, add roughly 3.5 to 4 hours to the start time for the first finishers to arrive. The elite men's winner typically crosses around 12:40 PM. The final finishers come in near 6:30 PM. That is when the course officially closes.
How the Marathon Affects MBTA Schedules
The MBTA runs on a Sunday schedule on Patriots' Day. That means:
- Subway service starts later than a typical weekday.
- Commuter rail uses weekend schedules.
- Buses run Sunday frequency.
Critical: Trains are packed from early morning. The most crowded direction is outbound from Boston to the start area before 8:00 AM, then inbound from the finish line from 11:00 AM onward.
The Boylston Street Station (Green Line) closes for the day. Use Copley, Arlington, or Prudential stations instead.
After the race, expect waits of 30 to 60 minutes at downtown stations. Many locals walk or bike instead.
Road Closures and Traffic Impact
Road closures begin as early as 4:00 AM along the route. The most disruptive closures:
| Road | Section | Closure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Route 135 | Hopkinton start area | 4:00 AM |
| Route 135 | Framingham to Natick | 7:30 AM |
| Commonwealth Ave | Newton to Boston | 10:00 AM |
| Boylston Street | Boston finish area | 9:00 AM, 8:00 PM |
The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) remains open but expects heavy delays. The Mass Pike exit 18 (Cambridge/Boston) is often gridlocked from mid-morning.
Best advice: Do not drive in Boston or the western suburbs between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The MBTA, walking, or cycling are the only reliable options.
When to See Runners at Each Course Landmark
Each viewing spot has an optimal time window. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
| Location | Mile | Best Time (EDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland center | 5 | 10:30-11:00 AM |
| Framingham center | 7 | 10:45-11:15 AM |
| Natick center | 10 | 11:00-11:30 AM |
| Wellesley College | 13 | 11:15-11:45 AM |
| Newton Fire Station | 16 | 11:45 AM, 12:15 PM |
| Heartbreak Hill (Boston College) | 21 | 12:15-12:45 PM |
| Kenmore Square | 25 | 1:00-1:30 PM |
| Boylston Street finish | 26.2 | 1:15-1:45 PM |
The elite women pass each point about 30 minutes before the times listed above. The elite men follow about 30 minutes after.
How the Marathon Affects Business Hours
The holiday is a state commemoration, so most workplaces are closed. But the marathon creates its own schedule.
| Business Type | Status on Marathon Monday |
|---|---|
| Banks | Closed (state observance) |
| Post offices | Closed (state observance) |
| Federal offices | Open (not a federal observance) |
| Most workplaces | Closed |
| Retail stores | Open, often by 10:00 AM |
| Restaurants | Open, limited menus near route |
| Bars | Open; many open early (10:00 AM) |
| Liquor stores | Open after 10:00 AM (Sunday rules apply) |
Restaurants near the finish line in Back Bay are packed from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Make reservations weeks ahead. Many require minimum spends on marathon weekend.
Skip: eating in Back Bay between 12:00 and 2:00 PM. Better: eat before 11:00 AM or after 3:00 PM.
Hotel and Restaurant Surges During Marathon Weekend
Marathon weekend is one of Boston's peak tourism periods, rivaling September move-in and May graduation.
Hotel occupancy runs 95 to 100 percent from Friday through Tuesday. Room rates in Boston, set by individual hotels, often double normal pricing for the weekend. Budget properties in suburbs 30-plus miles out also raise rates sharply. Check directly with hotels or the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau for current pricing.
Restaurant prices increase 10 to 20 percent for the weekend. Many popular spots require fixed-price menus. Tasting menus book out two to three months in advance.
What this means for you: If you are not running, consider visiting on a different weekend. If you are staying, book everything now. Do not expect walk-in tables anywhere near the course.