Holiday Hours: Christmas & New Year's / Williamstown.com

You once could be fined for celebrating Christmas in Massachusetts. (Massachusetts State Library)

Businesses, schools and government offices will be taking breaks next week as the nation celebrates Christmas and New Year's. Christmas falls on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, and New Year's Day on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

Christmas is now a state holiday but it wasn't always. The General Court under the control of the Puritans outlawed the holiday in 1659.

There was too much eating, drinking, wassailing and other festiveness for the colony's righteous rulers. Even after the ban was lifted, Christmas was treated as a regular day until its popularization during the Victorian era. Thank goodness. Can you imagine Norman Rockwell not painting Stockbridge at Christmas?

The Puritans weren't big on New Year's either, preferring to eschew partying for quiet reflection. They did, however, like a good resolution, as Stockbridge's the Rev. Jonathan Edwards proved a prime example (70!).

Schools and public colleges are closed for Christmas vacation, with local school systems reopening on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25
(Most stores close early on the Dec. 24, some restaurants and bars may be open later)

Closed
Liquor stores
Businesses
Most retail (convenience stores & gas station may have limited hours)Local, state and federal offices
Post offices (reopen and mail delivery on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2)
Public libraries
Schools
Banks
Stock market
Museums

NOTE: BRTA will not operate on Wednesday, Dec. 25. BRTA office also closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Fixed route and paratransit services will be ending early on Dec. 24. All service will end by 8:30 p.m.

Open
Cinemas
Ski areas
Convenience stores

New Year's Day, Jan. 1
(Most stores close early on the Dec. 31, some restaurants and bars may be open later)

Closed
Retail businesses open but may have limited hours
Public libraries
Local, state and federal offices

NOTE: BRTA will not be operating on Monday, Jan. 1, 2025. Fixed route and paratransit services will be ending early on Dec. 31. All service will end by 8:30 p.m.

Travel will be higher than normal over the holidays and MassDOT strongly urges all drivers to minimize distractions by turning off or putting away cellphones, traveling the posted speed limit, driving sober and devoting full attention to what is ahead on the road. Allow extra time to get to Logan International Airport and through security. MassDOT encourages travelers to make an extra effort to be courteous on the roads and report to law enforcement any reckless driving.