Millions of Americans are celebrating the Fourth of July, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence being signed, with fireworks, barbecues and hot dogs.
Boston will have the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade at 8 p.m. on July 4, where attendees can catch live performances from R&B star Darlene Love, according to the event’s website. Fireworks go off at 10:30 p.m.
Since July 4 is a federal holiday, most offices — state and federal — will be closed. Here’s what is open and closed in Massachusetts on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4.
Government
Federal courts: Closed
State courts: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Municipal offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
Libraries: Closed
Finance
The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Closed
Banks: Most bank branches will be closed, but check with your local bank.
Pure Oasis opened on March 9, 2020, as Boston’s first recreational marijuana dispensary. It’s also the first economic empowerment business to open.
Alcohol and recreational drugs
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to Tim Caputo, the press secretary for the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on July 4.
Stop & Shop in Newton in a 2018 file photo
Shopping
Stop and Shop: Open
Auburn Mall: Open
Holyoke Mall: Open
Hampshire Mall: Open
Natick Mall: Open
Big Y: Open
Market Basket: Open
Price Rite: Open
Star Market: Open
Walmart: Open
Target: Open
Wegmans: Open
Safeway: Open
Costco: Open
CVS: Open
Walgreens: Open
ALDI: Open
Whole Foods: Open
Trader Joe’s: Open
In this May 1, 2020, file photo, a sign in the window of a U.S. mail truck in Boston asks that people not approach closer than six feet due to concern about COVID-19.AP
Parcel
U.S. Post offices: Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: Closed
A red line MBTA subway train in Alewife station in Cambridge, Mass.Nicole Simmons/MassLive
Transportation
Worcester RTA: There will be no service.
Merrimack Valley RTA: There will be no service.
MetroWest RTA: There will be no service.
PVTA: Free through Aug. 31. Springfield- and Northampton-area routes will operate Sunday service; customer service offices closed, according to the PVTA website. The R10 and R14 routes affected by Memorial Bridge closure for the Springfield fireworks display until 11 p.m. and will instead use the North End Bridge.
MBTA: Fares will be free after 9:30 p.m. for subway, bus, commuter rail and ferry services, according to the MBTA’s website. The subway will run on a Saturday schedule until 3 p.m. and then on a weekday schedule for the rest of the day. The MBTA bus, Silver Line and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. The Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.
For those in Boston for holiday celebrations, be aware that the last trains leaving North and South stations will leave after the 10:30 p.m. fireworks EXCEPT for the Greenbush and Needham lines, according to an MBTA press release.
“The regular schedule now includes late night service after 11:30 p.m. on most lines, so trains will leave at their advertised times. The last trains on the Worcester and Newburyport Lines will be held until 11:30 p.m.
“The last Needham Line train will leave South Station at its advertised time of 10:15 p.m. and the last Greenbush Line train will depart South Station at 11:20 p.m. as scheduled…
“… If the fireworks are delayed, customers should check T alerts on the MBTA website or on X at @MBTA_CR_Alerts for updated departure times for the final outbound trains, as many trains will be held until the conclusion of the fireworks. Detailed schedules can be found at mbta.com/holidays.”
