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Massachusetts Legal Holidays

The following is a list of all legal holidays observed in Massachusetts. State, county, and municipal offices are closed on all of these days. Federal offices are only closed on holidays which the federal government recognizes (i.e. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, George Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). The term "federal holiday" is not applicable to individual states and the private sector since each state has jurisdiction over its holidays.

In Massachusetts certain holidays are subject to laws which restrict the type of work that may be performed as well as the kind of business and commercial activities that may remain open. Only those holidays preceded by asterisks (*) have certain restrictions. On holidays not preceeded by asterisks, business and commercial activities may operate as usual.

Please note: Only retail establishments may open during the summer holidays of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Retail establishments which operate on New Year's Day, Columbus Day after 12 noon, or on November 11th after 1:00 p.m. are required to pay their employees time and one-half regardless of the number of employees on their payroll. Retail establishments which operate on the summer holidays of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day must pay time and one-half if at least eight employees are on the payroll in the week prior to the holiday.

For a PDF version please click here. Massachusetts Legal Holidays (PDF, 39k)

For further information on holiday laws, contact Citizen Information Service.

Holiday

2004

2005

2006
New Year's Day 
Jan. 1, Thurs.
Jan. 1, Sat. (3)
Jan. 2, Mon. (3)
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Jan. 19, Mon.
Jan. 17, Mon.
Jan. 16, Mon.
George Washington's Birthday
Feb. 16, Mon.
Feb. 21, Mon.
Feb. 20, Mon.
Evacuation Day
(Suffolk County only)
Mar. 17, Wed.
Mar. 17, Thurs.
Mar. 17, Fri.
Patriot's Day 
Apr. 19, Mon
Apr. 18, Mon
Apr. 17, Mon.
Memorial Day** (1)
May 31, Mon.
May 30, Mon.
May 29, Mon.
Bunker Hill Day
(Suffolk County only)  
June 17, Thurs.
June 17, Fri.
June 17, Sat. (3)
Independence Day**
July 5, Mon. (3)
July 4, Mon.
July 4, Tue.
Labor Day**
Sept. 6, Mon.
Sept. 5, Mon.
Sept. 4, Mon.
Columbus Day* (2)
(Restrictions until 12 noon)
Oct. 11, Mon.
Oct. 10, Mon.
Oct. 9, Mon.
Veterans' Day* (2)
(Restrictions until 1pm)
Nov. 11, Thurs.
Nov. 11, Fri.
Nov. 11, Sat. (3)
Thanksgiving Day* (1)
Nov. 25, Thurs.
Nov. 24, Thurs.
Nov. 23, Thur.
Christmas Day* (1)
Dec. 25, Sat. (3)
Dec. 26, Mon. (3)
Dec. 25, Mon.

* - Full restrictions apply for ALL commerce
** - Restrictions apply except to retail
(1) Liquor Stores must be closed for Memorial, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Days.
(2) Many companies operate all day on these holidays, pending obtaining a local permit.
(3) All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law.
Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday.
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