Massachusetts Legal Holidays
Holiday |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
New Year’s Day – January First |
Jan. 1, Tues. |
Jan. 1, Wed. |
Jan. 1, Fri. |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Third Monday in January |
Jan. 21, Mon. |
Jan. 20, Mon. |
Jan. 18, Mon. |
Washington’s Birthday – Third Monday in February |
Feb. 18, Mon. |
Feb. 17, Mon. |
Feb. 15, Mon. |
Patriots’ Day – Third Monday in April |
Apr. 15, Mon. |
Apr. 20, Mon. |
Apr. 19, Mon. |
Memorial Day – Last Monday in May** (1A) |
May 27, Mon.** (1A) |
May 25, Mon.** (1A) |
May 31, Mon.** (1A) |
Independence Day – July 4th** |
July 4, Thurs.** |
July 4, Sat. ** (3) |
July 4, Sun. ** (3) |
Labor Day – First Monday in September** |
Sept. 2, Mon.** |
Sept. 7, Mon.** |
Sept. 6, Mon.** |
Columbus Day – Second Monday in October* |
Oct. 14, Mon.* (2) |
Oct. 12, Mon.* (2) |
Oct. 11, Mon.* (2) |
Veterans’ Day – November 11th* |
Nov. 11, Mon.* (2) |
Nov. 11, Wed.* (2) |
Nov. 11, Thu.* (2) |
Thanksgiving Day – Customarily the fourth Thursday in November* (1) |
Nov. 28, Thurs.* (1) |
Nov. 26, Thurs.* (1) |
Nov. 25, Thurs.* (1) |
Christmas Day – December 25th* (1) |
Dec. 25, Wed.* (1) |
Dec. 25, Fri.* (1) |
Dec. 25, Sat.* (1) |
* - Full restrictions apply for ALL commerce
** - Restrictions apply except to retail
(1) Liquor Stores must be closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Days.
(1A) Liquor stores may not open prior to 12:00 noon Memorial Day.
(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.
For a PDF version: Massachusetts Legal Holidays (PDF)
Above is a list of all legal holidays observed in Massachusetts. State, county, and municipal offices are closed on the days listed above. Federal offices are only closed on holidays which the federal government recognizes (i.e. New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ 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 followed by asterisks (*) have certain restrictions. On holidays not followed 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. Some businesses may be required to pay premium pay on some holidays. Please contact the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division at 617-727-3465. The Department of Labor Standards (617-626-6975) oversees the approval of local permits allowing businesses to open on Columbus, Veteran’s Days, Thanksgiving and Christmas when they otherwise could not open for some or all hours on those days.
For further information on holiday laws, contact Citizen Information Service.