The State of Massachusetts has designated several days each calendar year as state holidays. The implications of these state holidays on public employers and private employers are discussed below.
- Public employers
- Private employers
- Federal Holidays
- Is New Yearโs a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is New Yearโs Eve a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Presidentโs Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Good Friday a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Easter a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Memorial Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Juneteenth a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Independence Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Labor Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Columbus Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Election Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Veterans Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Christmas Eve a holiday in Massachusetts?
- Is Christmas Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
The following list contains the state holidays recognized by Massachusetts.
HOLIDAY | DATE |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day | January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
Presidentsโ Day | 3rd Monday in February |
Evacuation Day (Suffolk County Only) | March 17 |
Patriotโs Day | 3rd Monday in April |
Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County Only) | June 17 |
Juneteenth Independence Day | June 19 |
Independence Day | July 4 |
Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October |
Veterans Day | November 11 |
Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday in November |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. MA Statute 4-7(18)
Public employers
Public offices must be closed on all legal holidays listed above, except only public offices in Suffolk county may be closed on Evacuation Day and Bunder Hill Day. MA Statute 136-12
If a state employee is required to work on a legal holiday they must be given an additional day off or, if the additional day of leave may not be taken, the employee must be paid for an additional day. Additionally, if a state employee’s regular day off falls on a holiday, the employee must be given an additional day off or, if the additional day of leave may not be taken, the employee must be paid for an additional day. When an employee’s regular day off is Saturday and a holiday falls on that day, the employee should be given the previous Friday as a day off, where possible. If the employee cannot take the previous Friday off, they must be given another day off or, if the additional day of leave may not be taken, the employee must be paid for an additional day. MA Statute 30-24A
Private employers
Massachusetts is one of the few states that require private employers to give employees holiday leave. The laws, known as Massachusetts’ Blue Laws, differentiate between retailers, non-retailers, and manufacturers. Those differences are discussed below. MA Statute 136; Mass. Blue Laws Overview.
Retail
Holidays on which work can be performed only with a permit:
- Christmas
- Columbus Day before 12:00 p.m.
- Thanksgiving
- Veteran’s Day before 1:00 p.m.
Retailers with more than seven (7) employees must pay premium pay on the following holidays as follows, although they are not required to obtain a permit:
- New Year’s Day
- Columbus Day before 12:00 p.m.
- Veteran’s Day before 1:00 p.m.
- 1.5 times the hourly rate
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- January 1, 2021 – 1.2 times the hourly rate
- January 1, 2022 – 1.1 times the hourly rate
- January 1, 2023 – 1.0 times the hourly rate
Holidays on which work can be performed without limitations:
- Martin Luther King Day
- Patriots’ Day
- President’s Day
- Bunker Hill Day
- Evacuation Day
Non-Retail
Holidays on which work can be performed only with a permit (If the permit is acquired an employee can be required to work and is only entitled to regular pay unless standard overtime or Sunday Blue Laws apply):
- Christmas
- Thanksgiving
- Columbus Day before 12:00 noon
- Veterans Day before 1:00 p.m.
Holidays on which work can be performed without limitation:
- New Year’s Day
- Patriots Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- Bunker Hill Day
- President’s Day
- Juneteenth Independent Day
- Columbus Day after 12:00 noon
- Evacuation Day
- Veterans Day after 1:00 p.m.
Manufacturing
The non-retail holiday requirements generally apply to manufacturing. However, although manufacturers may lawfully stay open on legal holidays with the proper permits, employees cannot be required to work on those days, but instead must be given the option to work or not, except in very limited circumstances where the work being performed:
- is absolutely necessary and
- the enterprise requires continuous operation. Otherwise work must be voluntary.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
Is New Yearโs a holiday in Massachusetts?
New Yearโs day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on New Year’s day as discussed above.
Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโs Day will fall in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2024 | Monday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2025 | Wednesday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2027 | Friday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2028 | Saturday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2029 | Monday |
New Yearโs Day, January 1, 2030 | Tuesday |
Is New Yearโs Eve a holiday in Massachusetts?
New Yearโs Eve is not a holiday in Massachusetts. Also, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on New Yearโs day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโs Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโs Eve will fall in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2024 | Sunday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2025 | Tuesday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2027 | Thursday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2028 | Friday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2029 | Sunday |
New Yearโs Eve, January 1, 2030 | Monday |
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday a holiday in Massachusetts?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 15, 2024 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 20, 2025 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 19, 2026 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 18, 2027 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 19, 2028 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 15, 2029 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday | Monday, January 21, 2030 |
Is Presidentโs Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Presidentโs Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Presidentโs Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Presidentโs Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 19, 2024 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 17, 2025 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 14, 2028 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 19, 2029 |
Presidentโs Day | Monday, February 18, 2030 |
Is Good Friday a holiday in Massachusetts?
Good Friday is not a holiday in Massachusetts. Neither private businesses or government agencies are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Good Friday. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Good Friday if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Good Friday is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Good Friday | Friday, March 29, 2024 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 18, 2025 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 03, 2026 |
Good Friday | Friday, March 26, 2027 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 14, 2028 |
Good Friday | Friday, March 30, 2029 |
Good Friday | Friday, April 19, 2024 |
Is Easter a holiday in Massachusetts?
Easter is not a holiday in Massachusetts. Also, neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Easter. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Easter Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which Easter is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Easter | Sunday, March 31, 2024 |
Easter | Sunday, April 20, 2025 |
Easter | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
Easter | Sunday, March 28, 2027 |
Easter | Monday, April 16, 2028 |
Easter | Tuesday, April 1, 2029 |
Easter | Wednesday, April 21, 2030 |
Is Memorial Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Memorial Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Memorial as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Memorial Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Memorial Day | Monday, May 27, 2024 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 26, 2025 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 31, 2027 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 29, 2028 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 28, 2029 |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 27, 2030 |
Is Juneteenth a holiday in Massachusetts?
Juneteenth Independence Day (aka Emancipation Day) is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Juneteenth Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Juneteenth Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Juneteenth, June 19, 2024 | Wednesday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2025 | Thursday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2026 | Friday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2027 | Saturday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2028 | Monday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2029 | Tuesday |
Juneteenth, June 19, 2030 | Wednesday |
Is Independence Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Independence Day (July 4) is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Independence Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Independence Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF THE WEEK |
---|---|
Independence Day, July 4, 2024 | Thursday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2025 | Friday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2026 | Saturday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2027 | Sunday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2028 | Tuesday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2029 | Wednesday |
Independence Day, July 4, 2030 | Thursday |
Is Labor Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Labor Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Labor Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Labor Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Labor Day | Monday, September 2, 2024 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 6, 2027 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 4, 2028 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 3, 2029 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 2, 2030 |
Is Columbus Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Columbus Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Columbus Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Columbus Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Columbus Day | Monday, October 14, 2024 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 13, 2025 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 11, 2027 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 9, 2028 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 8, 2029 |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 14, 2030 |
Is Election Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Election Day is not a holiday in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts law prohibit employers from requiring any employee that works in a manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishment to work within the first two (2) hours after the polls open. To be eligible for voting leave, the employee must request the leave. MA Statute 149.178
Massachusetts law does not have a law which requires an employer, other than those with manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishments, to provide employees with leave, paid or unpaid, to vote.
Below are the dates on which Election Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 5, 2024 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 2, 2027 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 7, 2028 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 6, 2029 |
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 5, 2030 |
Is Veterans Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Veterans Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Veterans Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Veterans Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Veterans Day | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
Veterans Day | Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
Veterans Day | Thursday, November 11, 2027 |
Veterans Day | Saturday, November 11, 2028 |
Veterans Day | Sunday, November 11, 2029 |
Veterans Day | Monday, November 11, 2030 |
Is Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Thanksgiving Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 27, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25, 2027 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 23, 2028 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 22, 2029 |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28, 2030 |
Is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is not a holiday in Massachusetts. Neither private businesses nor public agencies are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on the day after Thanksgiving Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
Below are the dates on which the Friday after Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DATE |
---|---|
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 29, 2024 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 28, 2025 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 27, 2026 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 26, 2027 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 24, 2028 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 23, 2029 |
Day after Thanksgiving Day | Friday, November 29, 2030 |
Is Christmas Eve a holiday in Massachusetts?
Christmas Eve is not a holiday in Massachusetts. Neither private or public employers are required to either 1) allow workers to take the day off or 2) pay workers for not working on Christmas Eve. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on Christmas Eve if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 | Tuesday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026 | Thursday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2027 | Friday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2028 | Sunday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2029 | Monday |
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2030 | Tuesday |
Is Christmas Day a holiday in Massachusetts?
Christmas Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Christmas Day as discussed above.
Below are the dates on which Christmas Day is celebrated in future years:
YEAR | DAY OF WEEK |
---|---|
Christmas Day, December 25, 2024 | Wednesday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2025 | Thursday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2026 | Friday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2027 | Saturday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2028 | Monday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2029 | Tuesday |
Christmas Day, December 25, 2030 | Wednesday |