New Year’s Day marks a fresh start with a brand new calendar year and a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for what’s to come in the next 365 days.
People should anticipate that many businesses and public services may operate on different schedules than normal due to the holiday.
Here’s a list of what is open and what is closed in Massachusetts for New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Government
Federal Courts: Closed
State Courts: Closed
Federal Offices: Closed
State Offices: Closed
Municipal Offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Closed
Public Libraries: Closed
Finance
The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Closed
Banks: Closed, but most ATMs will remain open.
Alcohol & Cannabis
Liquor Stores: Open
Cannabis Dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays for when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to respective dispensaries to choose whether or not to be open or closed, so check with your local dispensary.
- Read More: My 27 favorite places I visited in Massachusetts in 2025
Lottery
Massachusetts State Lottery: Retailers, such as gas stations, that may be open can sell tickets for games such as Mass Cash and scratch tickets on New Year’s Day.
Games such as Powerball and Keno continue to be played on their normal schedules despite holidays like New Year’s Day.
However, state lottery claim centers for large prizes will be closed on the holiday, meaning high-value winners will have to wait to claim their prizes until at least Friday, Jan. 2.
Shopping
Retail Stores: Many retail locations may not operate on their normal schedules, but will remain open, with some exceptions. Check with your local retailer if you have concerns.
Aldi: Closed
Auburn Mall: Open, but at reduced hours.
Big Y: Open. Supermarket locations will operate at regular hours.
Costco: Closed
CVS: Open, hours vary
Hampshire Mall: Open
Holyoke Mall: Open, but at reduced hours.
Market Basket: Open
Natick Mall: Open, but at reduced hours.
Price Rite: Open
Safeway: Open, hours vary
Star Market: Open, but at reduced hours.
Stop & Shop: Open
Target: Open
Trader Joe’s: Closed
Walgreens: Open, but pharmacy hours may vary.
Walmart: Open
Wegmans: Open
Whole Foods: Open, but at modified hours by location.
- Read More: My 10 favorite things I ate in Massachusetts in 2025
Parcel
U.S. Post Offices (USPS): Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: Closed
Transportation
Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: No service
Brockton Area Transit: No service
Cape Ann Transportation Authority: No service
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority: No service
Franklin Regional Transit Authority: No service, with no Access paratransit service either.
Lowell Regional Transit Authority: No service
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): Subway, bus and The Ride paratransit services will run on a Sunday schedule for New Year’s Day. The Commuter Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. There will be no ferry service.
Merrimack Valley Transit: No service
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority: No service
Montachusett Regional Transit Authority: Closed
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Either Sunday service or no service depending on the bus route.
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority: SRTA runs both fixed route and demand response vehicles on Weekend service in published schedules on New Year’s Day.
Worcester Regional Transit Authority: No service
