Holiday Hours: Christmas & New Year's
Businesses, schools and government offices will be taking breaks next week as the nation celebrates Christmas and New Year's. Christmas falls on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, and New Year's Day on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
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 some local school systems being closed or having a half-day on Friday, Dec. 22, and reopening on Tuesday, 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 Monday, Dec. 25. BRTA office also closed on Friday, Dec. 23.
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
Public libraries
Schools
Banks
Stock market
Museums
NOTE: BRTA will not be operating on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Open
Cinemas
Ski areas
Convenience stores
Tags: holiday hours,
