Official Bulletin: Evacuation Day Service Impacts and 250th Anniversary Notices

Municipal Holiday Observance and Service Closures

In accordance with the observance of Evacuation Day today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the City of Boston has announced that all non-essential municipal offices are closed. This closure includes Boston City Hall and neighborhood service centers. Additionally, all branches of the Boston Public Library and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers are closed for the day. While administrative offices are offline, emergency services, including police, fire, and emergency medical response, remain fully operational. Regular city business and office hours will resume on Wednesday morning.

Parking and Transportation Regulations

The Boston Transportation Department informs residents that parking meters throughout the city are not in effect today due to the Suffolk County holiday. Drivers are reminded that while meters are free and have no time limits today, all other parking regulations—including restrictions for fire hydrants, handicapped zones, and double-parking—will be strictly enforced. Scheduled daytime street cleaning is canceled for today, though residents should check for local signage regarding overnight cleaning schedules which may still apply in select districts.

250th Anniversary Commemoration and Traffic Advisory

Today marks the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day, and the City is hosting significant commemorative events. A major reenactment of Henry Knox’s transport of 59 cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston is scheduled to take place. To facilitate this event and associated festivities, the following temporary parking restrictions and street closures are in effect in South Boston:

• Thomas Park: Temporary parking restrictions are posted on both sides of the street from Pacific Street to National Street.
• Dorchester Street: No parking on the north (odd) side from West Fifth Street to West Sixth Street.
• West Sixth Street: Road closures and parking restrictions apply on both sides from F Street to Dorchester Street.

Towing will be strictly enforced in these zones to ensure the safety of event participants and pedestrians.

Public Health and Legal Notice: Federal Vaccination Injunction

A significant legal development affecting public health policy in Boston occurred late Monday. A federal judge in Boston issued a preliminary injunction blocking the federal government's attempt to overhaul the national childhood vaccine schedule. This ruling stays the appointments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and halts the implementation of revised vaccine guidelines. Local health officials advise parents that existing, evidence-based immunization schedules remain the standard of care in the Commonwealth following this court order.

Trash and Recycling Schedule Adjustments

The Public Works Department has issued a notice that trash and recycling collection will be delayed in several neighborhoods due to the holiday. Residents who normally receive Tuesday collection should anticipate a one-day "slide," with pickups occurring on Wednesday. This adjusted schedule will continue through the remainder of the week. Normal collection services will resume their standard rotations on Monday, March 23.