Prepare yours Christmas dinner and are you missing this key ingredient? You'll be hard-pressed to find a grocery store open in Massachusetts on December 25th.
Because of colonial era lawsMassachusetts grocery stores cannot legally open on Christmas Day, which falls on Thursday this year.
And while small convenience stores are allowed to open on Christmas Day, some may still choose to close for the December holidays. Before heading to the store, you should check the store's hours or call ahead.
Here's what you need to know about grocery stores in Massachusetts. Christmas.
Are grocery stores open on Christmas Day in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Christmas Day because it is a restricted holiday under state law. “Blue laws”.
This means that stores such as Stop and buy, Big Y, Roche Brothers.., market basket, Hannaford, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Price rite, ALDI And Whole Foods all will be closed on Thursday, December 25th this year.
Liquor stores will also be closed on Christmas Day.
Why aren't Massachusetts grocery stores open on Christmas?
Grocery stores in Massachusetts are not allowed to open on Christmas Day due to Puritan-influenced Blue Laws. back to colonial times.
Massachusetts Blue Laws dictate which businesses can legally open on Sundays and certain holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two prohibited holidays for grocery stores, according to the state.
There are no laws in Massachusetts prohibiting grocery stores from opening on Christmas Eve (December 24), but many chains still have limited hours on that day.
Photo from a grocery store.
What businesses are allowed to open on Christmas Day? Convenience stores?
Some businesses, such as gas stations, restaurants and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Christmas Day.
You may be able to buy a couple of groceries from a small store. According to Blue laws Grocery stores with no more than three employees at a time, including the owner, can open on Christmas Day.
However, many stores still close on certain holidays to allow employees to spend time with their families. It's better to call in advance and check.
USA TODAY's Melina Khan and USA Today Network's Margie Cullen contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared in Telegram & Gazette: Is Trader Joe's open on Christmas? ALDI? MA 2025 Grocery Store Hours
