Massachusetts State Holidays


Massachusetts stamp

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.

The following list contains the state holidays recognized by Massachusetts.

HOLIDAYDATE
New Yearโ€™s DayJanuary 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday3rd Monday in January
Presidentsโ€™ Day3rd Monday in February
Evacuation Day (Suffolk County Only)March 17
Patriotโ€™s Day3rd Monday in April
Memorial DayLast Monday in May
Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County Only)June 17
Juneteenth Independence DayJune 19
Independence DayJuly 4
Labor Day1st Monday in September
Columbus Day2nd Monday in October
Veterans DayNovember 11
Thanksgiving Day4th Thursday in November
Christmas DayDecember 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 Yearโ€™s a holiday in Massachusetts?

New Yearโ€™s 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 Yearโ€™s Day will fall in future years:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2024Monday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2025Wednesday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2026Thursday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2027Friday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2028Saturday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2029Monday
New Yearโ€™s Day, January 1, 2030Tuesday

Is New Yearโ€™s Eve a holiday in Massachusetts?

New Yearโ€™s 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 Yearโ€™s day. Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid holiday leave on New Yearโ€™s Day if their employer has established a policy or practice of doing so.

Below are the days of the week on which New Yearโ€™s Eve will fall in future years:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2024Sunday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2025Tuesday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2026Wednesday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2027Thursday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2028Friday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2029Sunday
New Yearโ€™s Eve, January 1, 2030Monday

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:

YEARDATE
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 15, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 20, 2025
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 19, 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 18, 2027
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 19, 2028
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 15, 2029
Martin Luther King, Jr. BirthdayMonday, January 21, 2030

Is Presidentโ€™s Day a holiday in Massachusetts?

Presidentโ€™s Day is a holiday in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts has particular rules regarding workers, including retail workers, non-retail workers, and manufacturing workers, working on Presidentโ€™s Day as discussed above.

Below are the dates on which Presidentโ€™s Day is celebrated in future years:

YEARDATE
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 19, 2024
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 17, 2025
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 16, 2026
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 15, 2027
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 14, 2028
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, February 19, 2029
Presidentโ€™s DayMonday, 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:

YEARDATE
Good FridayFriday, March 29, 2024
Good FridayFriday, April 18, 2025
Good FridayFriday, April 03, 2026
Good FridayFriday, March 26, 2027
Good FridayFriday, April 14, 2028
Good FridayFriday, March 30, 2029
Good FridayFriday, 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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
EasterSunday, March 31, 2024
EasterSunday, April 20, 2025
EasterSunday, April 5, 2026
EasterSunday, March 28, 2027
EasterMonday, April 16, 2028
EasterTuesday, April 1, 2029
EasterWednesday, 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:

YEARDATE
Memorial DayMonday, May 27, 2024
Memorial DayMonday, May 26, 2025
Memorial DayMonday, May 25, 2026
Memorial DayMonday, May 31, 2027
Memorial DayMonday, May 29, 2028
Memorial DayMonday, May 28, 2029
Memorial DayMonday, 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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Juneteenth, June 19, 2024Wednesday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2025Thursday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2026Friday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2027Saturday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2028Monday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2029Tuesday
Juneteenth, June 19, 2030Wednesday

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:

YEARDAY OF THE WEEK
Independence Day, July 4, 2024Thursday
Independence Day, July 4, 2025Friday
Independence Day, July 4, 2026Saturday
Independence Day, July 4, 2027Sunday
Independence Day, July 4, 2028Tuesday
Independence Day, July 4, 2029Wednesday
Independence Day, July 4, 2030Thursday

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:

YEARDATE
Labor DayMonday, September 2, 2024
Labor DayMonday, September 1, 2025
Labor DayMonday, September 7, 2026
Labor DayMonday, September 6, 2027
Labor DayMonday, September 4, 2028
Labor DayMonday, September 3, 2029
Labor DayMonday, 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:

YEARDATE
Columbus DayMonday, October 14, 2024
Columbus DayMonday, October 13, 2025
Columbus DayMonday, October 12, 2026
Columbus DayMonday, October 11, 2027
Columbus DayMonday, October 9, 2028
Columbus DayMonday, October 8, 2029
Columbus DayMonday, 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:

YEARDATE
General Election DayTuesday, November 5, 2024
General Election DayTuesday, November 4, 2025
General Election DayTuesday, November 3, 2026
General Election DayTuesday, November 2, 2027
General Election DayTuesday, November 7, 2028
General Election DayTuesday, November 6, 2029
General Election DayTuesday, 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:

YEARDATE
Veterans DayMonday, November 11, 2024
Veterans DayTuesday, November 11, 2025
Veterans DayWednesday, November 11, 2026
Veterans DayThursday, November 11, 2027
Veterans DaySaturday, November 11, 2028
Veterans DaySunday, November 11, 2029
Veterans DayMonday, 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:

YEARDATE
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 27, 2025
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 26, 2026
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 25, 2027
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 23, 2028
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 22, 2029
Thanksgiving DayThursday, 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:

YEARDATE
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 29, 2024
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 28, 2025
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 27, 2026
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 26, 2027
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 24, 2028
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 23, 2029
Day after Thanksgiving DayFriday, 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.

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024Tuesday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025Wednesday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026Thursday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2027Friday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2028Sunday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2029Monday
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2030Tuesday

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:

YEARDAY OF WEEK
Christmas Day, December 25, 2024Wednesday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2025Thursday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2026Friday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2027Saturday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2028Monday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2029Tuesday
Christmas Day, December 25, 2030Wednesday
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