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Holiday Hours: Christmas & New Year's

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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 Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, and New Year's Day on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. 

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 Monday, Jan. 5. North Adams will hold its inauguration of government on New Year's Day at 11 a.m. at City Hall. 

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 Thursday, Dec. 25. BRTA office also closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Fixed route and paratransit services will be ending by 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve; Last runs in North Adams are at 7:15 p.m. from Main Street and 7:30 from Walmart.

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 operate on Thursday, Jan. 1. Fixed route and paratransit services will be ending by 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve; Last runs in North Adams are at 7:15 p.m. from Main Street and 7:30 from Walmart.

Open
Cinemas
Ski areas
Convenience stores

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. 

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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