BOSTON – Need to run to the store for a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner ingredient? Or hoping to get an early start on Black Friday shopping? Here’s what’s open and closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts, and some background about the “blue laws” that regulate the holiday.

What are “blue laws” in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is one of just three states that prohibit most stores from opening on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas thanks to “blue laws.” According to the Massachusetts Historical Society, blue laws were established by colonial governments of the 1600s to make sure people went to church on Sundays and observed the Sabbath.

They’re called blue laws because blue was a color associated with high morality. 

What stores are closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

As noted above, most retail stores are prevented from opening on Thanksgiving, but more and more chains are deciding to give their employees a day off. Framingham-based TJX will close all TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores on Thanksgiving. 

Other big-name stores found in Massachusetts like Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Macy’s are keeping locations closed nationwide for the holiday.

Are supermarkets and grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?

Large supermarkets and grocery store chains in Massachusetts will be closed on Thanksgiving. That includes Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Big Y, Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Star Market and Hannaford. 

Small food stores that employ three people or fewer are exempt from the blue laws.

Are pharmacies open on Thanksgiving?

Stores with pharmacies are allowed to open, so you can go to CVS if you need to pick something up on Thanksgiving Day. Store hours may be shortened for the holiday, however.

Walgreens said most of its locations will be closed, except for 24-hour stores with pharmacies.

Can restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

Yes, restaurants are allowed to open on Thanksgiving. For coffee lovers that includes Dunkin’ and Starbucks as well, though hours may be limited.

Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

While restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol on Thanksgiving, liquor stores are required to close for the holiday in Massachusetts. 

Are gas stations open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, gas stations are open for Thanksgiving in Massachusetts.

Mail delays in Boston remain a hot topic for city, state and federal officials who’ve been inundated with complaints. They’re now calling on the U.S. Postal Service to act.

Members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation mailed a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for the release of zip code-centered data and whether he will allow USPS staff to speak with congressional members in light of an email chain among USPS management that suggested Boston City Council was “politically motivated” while considering whether Boston Postmaster Joshua Balcunas should testify in response to a subpoena from the city.

“USPS, as a government entity, has a responsibility to come and to testify before Boston City Council to give them answers as to why there’s inadequate mail service across the city,” U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said at an event Wednesday, with the busiest period of the year

Elected officials are seeking answers from the U.S. Postal Service, but multiple requests for testimony have been rejected.

City councilors at the event expressed a similar concern.

“It’s really difficult because that’s the only way we have to have a conversation,” District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon said.

“The fact that they wouldn’t even show us the answers to the questions speaks volumes,” said District 6 Councilor Ben Weber.

USPS has consistently said that mail delivery is within service standards, but did not reply to our requests for comment on Wednesday.

Mail delays are causing frustration for some Boston locals. Neighborhoods like Roxbury and Mission Hill have apparently been dealing with late-arriving postal service for months, causing bills, checks and important safety information to be missed.

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Quelling concerns from the officials and postal union representatives at Wednesday’s event could get more complicated in 2025 with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, under whom DeJoy became postmaster general in 2020.

But Markey said Trump’s return to the White House won’t hinder his efforts for postal accountability.

“Donald Trump will try, with Elon Musk, to privatize the Postal Service,” said Sen. Markey, “That’s going to be inevitable. He’s in for a battle.”

Massachusetts leaders say they’re ready for the fights to come.

“For too many communities, the consequences of unreliable mail delivery aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re life-altering,” Markey said.

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said it “just depends on keeping our foot on the gas.”

BOSTON — NESN announced Wednesday its broadcast schedule for the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) 2024-25 season, featuring coverage of every Boston Fleet regular-season game. The season begins with the Fleet hitting the road against the Toronto Sceptres on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. ET.

In an unprecedented partnership, Bauer has been named the presenting sponsor of NESN’s PWHL broadcast coverage. This marks Bauer’s first integrated sponsorship with a regional sports network around PWHL programming, granting the company exclusive sponsorship rights to all PWHL games airing on NESN throughout the season.

Along with the 30 regular-season Fleet games, which will be broadcast on NESN or NESN+, the network will also air 31 other PWHL games throughout the year.

“At NESN, we are committed to becoming the home for women’s sports in New England, and we’re excited to continue our partnership with the PWHL to showcase the passion and energy of professional women’s hockey,” said Cosmina Schulman, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at NESN. “This season we’re thrilled to welcome Bauer as the presenting sponsor of our PWHL coverage, adding a dynamic partner to help elevate the visibility and impact of women’s hockey. The PWHL captured the attention of the sports world with an electrifying inaugural season last year, and we’re excited to play a part in building on that momentum.”

“NESN is not only a strategic partner because of its impactful platform, but also because our values are aligned,” said Mary-Kay Messier, VP of Global Marketing at Bauer Hockey. “A key priority for our team at Bauer has been investing in and elevating the women’s game. This includes expanding our PWHL partnership, introducing new authentic and replica jerseys for this season, and a campaign to celebrate both the players and fans that will launch with this new media agreement. Through our collaboration with NESN, we will further elevate the women’s game and provide well-earned exposure to the athletes and the league. We can’t wait for the puck to drop.”

“NESN is the premier destination for sports in New England, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership as the Boston Fleet return for Season Two of the PWHL,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “In our inaugural season, NESN played a vital role in connecting fans to the league. Looking ahead, their coverage will provide outstanding visibility for our teams and players, and it’s fitting to have our Official Jersey Partner, Bauer, included as part of the broadcasts.”

The Fleet’s home opener will take place Dec. 4 against the Minnesota Frost at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass., in a rematch of last season’s PWHL Finals. The regular-season finale for the Fleet will also feature the Frost on May 3 at Tsongas Center, and the PWHL playoffs are scheduled to begin May 6.

See the full Boston Fleet schedule below (all times Eastern):

Saturday, Nov. 30: at Toronto Sceptres (2 p.m., NESN)
Wednesday, Dec. 4: vs. Minnesota Frost (7 p.m., NESN)
Sunday, Dec. 8: vs. New York Sirens (4 p.m., NESN)
Tuesday, Dec. 17: vs. Ottawa Charge (7 p.m., NESN+)
Friday, Dec. 27: at Toronto Sceptres (7 p.m., NESN+)
Monday, Dec. 30: at Montreal Victoire (7 p.m., NESN)
Thursday, Jan. 2: at Minnesota Frost (7:30 p.m., NESN+)
Sunday, Jan. 5: vs. Montreal Victoire in Seattle (4 p.m., NESN+)
Wednesday, Jan. 8: at Minnesota Frost (7:30 p.m., NESN)
Saturday, Jan. 11: at Ottawa Charge (2 p.m., NESN)
Wednesday, Jan. 22: vs. Toronto Sceptres (7 p.m., NESN+)
Sunday, Jan. 26: at Minnesota Frost (3 p.m., NESN)
Friday, Jan. 31: vs. New York Sirens (7 p.m., NESN)
Wednesday, Feb. 12: at New York Sirens (7 p.m., NESN)
Friday, Feb. 14: at Toronto Sceptres (7 p.m., NESN)
Sunday, Feb. 16: vs. Minnesota Frost (1 p.m., NESN)
Monday, Feb. 17: at New York Sirens (4 p.m., NESN)
Thursday, Feb. 20: at Ottawa Charge (7 p.m., NESN)
Sunday, Feb. 23: at New York Sirens in Buffalo (4 p.m., NESN)
Saturday, March 1: at Montreal Victoire (TBA, NESN+)
Wednesday, March 5: vs. New York Sirens (7 p.m., NESN+)
Saturday, March 8: vs. Montreal Victoire (TBA, NESN+)
Saturday, March 15: at Ottawa Charge (2 p.m., NESN+)
Tuesday, March 18: vs. Montreal Victoire (7 p.m., NESN)
Wednesday, March 26: vs. Toronto Sceptres (TBA, NESN)
Saturday, March 29: vs. Ottawa Charge in St. Louis (2 p.m., NESN)
Wednesday, April 2: vs. Ottawa Charge (7 p.m., NESN+)
Saturday, April 26: vs. Toronto Sceptres (TBA, TBA)
Monday, April 28: at Montreal Victoire (TBA, NESN)
Saturday, May 3: vs. Minnesota Frost (TBA, TBA)

Presented by Bauer Hockey: Proudly supporting greatness in women’s hockey.