Memorial Day is the first big summer holiday and gives us the first three-day weekend of the summer. Memorial Day is a federal holiday which means that federal offices and buildings will be closed. It’s also an official Massachusetts state holiday, which affects government buildings. What else is closed on Memorial Day? What else is open on Memorial Day in Massachusetts?
What’s Open on Memorial Day in Massachusetts
Because the pre-summer holiday is about remembering those who died in service, places related to commemorating them are open.
Cemeteries are open, allowing family members and anyone else the chance to visit graves and leave flags, flowers and tokens.
Memorials are open for visits, including city-owned memorials and regional memorials.
Retailers
Local retailers in your town or city are allowed to be open. Whether or not they choose to be open or not is at their discretion. Some retailers may adjust or shorten their hours. Others may lengthen the hours they are open to accommodate shoppers.
Bars, taverns and restaurants may be open on if they so choose.
Convenience stores are open in Massachusetts.
Express Mail – The only type of mail you will receive today is express delivery mail. Other mail will be delivered as usual on Tuesday.
Gas stations are allowed to be open.
Grocery stores are open. Don’t forget to get your gas grill tank filled up.
Malls are open today in Massachusetts. Many malls are open their regular hours, others will revert to a Sunday or holiday schedule.
Movie theaters are open on this summer holiday weekend.
Museums – There are many museums open today in Massachusetts.
Public Transportation – Most Massachusetts cities will continue to operate on this holiday but they may follow a reduced holiday schedule or a Sunday schedule.
Retail Stores – Retail stores are allowed to be open.
State Parks – According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, all state parks are open.
What’s Closed on Memorial Day in Massachusetts
Banks in Massachusetts are closed on Memorial Day. ATM machines are still accessible.
City and town offices as well as many town hall offices are closed in Massachusetts.
County offices are closed because it is a state holiday.
Courthouses are closed.
Liquor stores must be closed in Massachusetts according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Because Massachusetts laws governing liquor stores are also affected by local laws, check with your favorite liquor store to see if they will be open on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day. Otherwise, pick up your beer and alcohol the week before the holiday weekend. The Saturday of the holiday weekend will be busy at the local liquor store.
Garbage pick up may be deferred by a day, it depends on your city. Check with your local refuse company. Some cities in the Boston area may have regular pick ups.
Post offices are closed. Some may also have shortened hours on Saturday, so try to get any post office visits done during the week before the long holiday weekend.
Public and regional libraries are closed.
Public schools are closed.
State buildings and state offices are closed.
