Understanding the history and significance Good Friday
Explore the meaning and traditions of Good Friday and why it’s a somber day for Christians globally. Learn about fasting practices and more.
Wondering if banks are open or closed Good Friday? Stock markets? Post office?
We have those answers and more from if Good Friday is a federal holiday to the meaning of Good Friday.
Here’s what we know:
When is Good Friday 2025? What date is Good Friday this year?
Good Friday is on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Is Good Friday a federal holiday in the US?
Good Friday is a religious holiday, but is not recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S.
Will banks be open on Good Friday, April 18, 2025? Are banks closed today?
Most banks will be open on Good Friday, according to The Federal Reserve.
Is the stock market closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2025? Is stock market open today?
The stock markets on New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association are all closed for trading on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Will USPS post office be open Good Friday, April 18, 2025? Will mail be delivered today?
The United States Postal Service will remain open and mail will be delivered on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Will FedEx be open today on Good Friday, April 18, 2025?
FedEx and FedEx Freight will have modified service on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, but all other delivery options are expected to operate as normal.
Will UPS be open today on Good Friday, April 18, 2025?
UPS Store is open and UPSÂ delivery and pickup services are available on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Is Good Friday a state holiday in Kentucky?
Kind of. State employees are given a half day off on Good Friday.
Are Kentucky schools closed today on Good Friday, April 18, 2025?
Jefferson County Public Schools are open on Good Friday. Check with your local school to see if classes will still be in session.
Good Friday meaning: What does Good Friday celebrate?
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is dedicated to commemorating the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Considered the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus died for the sins of others by crucifixion and was later laid to rest at a nearby tomb.
Scripture says Jesus hung on the cross from noon to 3 p.m., before drawing his last breath. A day of mourning, prayer and fasting, Christians often use the three hours of Jesus’ time spent on the cross, as well as the day, to reflect and remember God’s love and promise of eternal life. Furthermore, it represents hope and new beginnings, even in the darkest moments.
How to celebrate Good Friday 2025
Good Friday can be commemorated in a variety of ways. Many Christians celebrate it with strict fasting, while others observe a partial fast by not eating meat, according to the Boston Public Library. Some also attend special church services and prayer vigils, or a Good Friday liturgy Friday evening.
Continuously, some view it more joyously while others see it as a sad event. Some Christians take on a somber attitude and maintain a quiet atmosphere in their homes with little to no entertainment or extracurricular activities, while others may play music and bake hot cross buns, a traditional Good Friday sweet.Â
What was the Good Friday agreement?
The Good Friday agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, brought peace and partnership to the Irish and British governments after a 30-year conflict, according to Ireland.ie. The conflict, known as the Troubles, began after civil rights protestors in Northern Ireland were met with hostility by authorities in 1969. In the over three-decade conflict, over 3,500 people died, with many others injured.
The two governments started working toward a peaceful resolution in the early 1980s, bringing the Anglo-Irish Agreement into effect in 1985. A Joint Declaration was later issued in 1993.
Eventually, international governments like the U.S. got involved in the negotiations, including former President Bill Clinton, who helped to build momentum in the nearly two-year-long negotiation process. Senator George Mitchell, also prominent, set the deadline for the agreement on April 9, 1998. The following day, on the afternoon of April 10, Good Friday, it was announced that the agreement was reached.Â
When is Easter Day 2025? What date is Easter Sunday this year?
Easter is on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Chris Sims is a digital producer at IndyStar. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
Connect manager Jenny Porter Tilley contributed.
