Holiday Hours: Christmas & New Year's

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

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

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 

 

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 

 

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

 

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 

 

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

 

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

 

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.