Getting Around Boston Over the Holidays 2026
Ferries do not run on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Year's Day, the $10 Commuter Rail holiday pass covers Nov 26 to 29 and Dec 25 to 27, and Boston's meters are free on Thursday, Nov 26 and Friday, Dec 25. The MBTA's holiday service page says to check back for the subway, bus, Commuter Rail and The RIDE schedules for each day, so those rows read Not yet posted until the T publishes them.
- Thanksgiving: no ferries, Boston meters free, $10 rail pass to Nov 29
- Christmas Eve: MBTA holiday schedule not posted yet; check before you ride
- Christmas Day: no ferries, Boston meters free, $10 rail pass to Dec 27
- New Year's Eve: four seasonal ferry routes end for the year
This guide covers Boston and the towns north of it: MBTA service, the Commuter Rail lines out of North Station, Logan Airport parking and Logan Express (including Danvers and Woburn), and what Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Salem, Malden and Medford say about meters on the holidays. Dates run from Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov 26, through New Year's Day, Friday, Jan 1, 2027.
MBTA service by holiday
The MBTA lists these five days as modified-service holidays and says to check its holiday page for details. The Not yet posted cells fill in when the T publishes them.
| Day | Subway and bus | Commuter Rail | Ferry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26 | Not yet posted | Not yet posted. $10 Holiday Pass valid Nov 26 to 29 | No service on any route | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| Thanksgiving Friday, Nov 27 | Not yet posted. Not listed as a modified-service day | Pass above is valid Nov 27 | Not yet posted | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| Christmas Eve, Thu Dec 24 | Not yet posted | Not yet posted | Not yet posted | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| Christmas Day, Fri Dec 25 | Not yet posted | Not yet posted. $10 Holiday Weekend Pass valid Dec 25 to 27 | No service on any route | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| New Year's Eve, Thu Dec 31 | Not yet posted | Not yet posted | Four routes extended through Dec 31 | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| New Year's Day, Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Not yet posted | Not yet posted. Pass for this holiday Not yet posted | No service on any route | MBTA holiday service schedules |
The MBTA says only holidays with modified service are listed, and that on a weekend schedule, routes that do not normally run on weekends are not in service. Subway, bus, Commuter Rail and The RIDE schedules are posted as each holiday approaches.
Ferry
Four routes that normally stop for the season were extended to the end of the year, and none of them run on the holidays.
| Route | Days | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Boston | Weekday and weekend | Extended through Dec 31, 2026 | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Lynn | Weekday | Extended through Dec 31, 2026 | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Winthrop | Weekday | Extended through Dec 31, 2026 | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Quincy | Weekday | Extended through Dec 31, 2026 | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Charlestown | Weekday and weekend | Year-round route | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Hingham/Rowes Wharf, Harbor Loop, Hingham/Hull | Weekday | Year-round routes | MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026 |
The MBTA says there is no service on any ferry route on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and that weather can disrupt service.
$10 Commuter Rail holiday passes
One flat fare for unlimited rides on all lines and zones on the days below.
| Holiday | Pass dates | How it works | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Thu Nov 26 to Sun Nov 29 | Unlimited Commuter Rail trips for $10 | MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passes |
| Christmas Day | Fri Dec 25 to Sun Dec 27 | Unlimited Commuter Rail trips for $10 | MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passes |
| New Year's Day, Jan 1, 2027 | Not yet posted | The page lists 2026 holidays only | MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passes |
| Where to buy | mTicket app, ticket windows at North, South and Back Bay, or on board | Not sold at fare vending machines or retail locations | MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passes |
| Not valid on | Bus, subway, ferry, CapeFLYER, Foxboro and other event trains | Children 11 and under ride free | MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passes |
Commuter Rail north of Boston
The four lines out of North Station each have a schedule page with the current alerts and PDF timetables.
| Line | Holiday notes on the line page | Schedule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haverhill Line | Weekend shuttle buses Nov 14 to 15. Holiday week Not yet posted | Fall/Winter 2026-27 PDF | MBTA Haverhill Line schedule |
| Lowell Line | Not yet posted | Fall/Winter 2026-27 PDF | MBTA Lowell Line schedule |
| Newburyport/Rockport Line | Not yet posted | Line page, both branches | MBTA Newburyport/Rockport schedule |
| Fitchburg Line | Not yet posted | Line page | MBTA Fitchburg Line schedule |
The MBTA customer line is 617-222-3200, Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 8 PM.
Charlie Service Center and The RIDE
Buy fares ahead if you need the in-person counter, and book The RIDE early for holiday trips.
| Service | Holiday rule | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Service Center | Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day | The MBTA also lists a 2 PM early close on the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve | MBTA holiday service schedules |
| The RIDE paratransit | Holiday schedule Not yet posted | Generally 5 AM to 1 AM daily; book 1 to 5 days ahead; TRAC 844-427-7433 | MBTA The RIDE |
Logan Express
Massport runs buses to the Logan terminals from Danvers, Woburn, Framingham, Braintree and Back Bay. Allow extra time on holiday travel days.
| Location | Address | Parking and holiday notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danvers | 300 Commonwealth Ave, Danvers (Liberty Tree Mall) | Lot open 24 hours including holidays, 300 spaces, $7 a day, pay on entry | Massport Logan Express parking |
| Woburn | 100 Atlantic Ave, Woburn | Lot open 24 hours including holidays, 870 spaces, $7 a day, pay on exit | Massport Logan Express parking |
| Framingham | 11 Burr St, Framingham | Open 24 hours including holidays, 2,037 spaces, $7 a day, pay on exit | Massport Logan Express parking |
| Braintree (temporarily at Quincy Adams) | Thomas E. Burgin Pkwy and Centre St, Quincy | Parking by advance reservation only, $9 weekdays, $3 weekends, 24 hours | Massport Logan Express parking |
| Back Bay | 800 Boylston St and Copley Place on Dartmouth St | Every 30 minutes, 5 AM to 9 PM from Back Bay, 7 days; $3 to Logan, free back | Massport Logan Express Back Bay |
| Fares | Danvers, Woburn, Framingham, Braintree | $9 each way online (limited-time offer); kids 17 and under ride free with family | Massport Logan Express |
| Holiday schedules | Runs 7 days a week, including Thanksgiving and Christmas | Schedules and frequency may be adjusted on holidays | Massport Logan Express FAQs |
Massport says Logan Express lots can fill during Thanksgiving, Christmas and school vacation weeks, and that reservations are not available at most locations. Call the lot to confirm space: Danvers 978-896-3665, Woburn 781-721-0373, Framingham 508-872-8521, Braintree 781-843-0283.
Parking at Logan Airport
On-airport garages are the closest and the priciest. Massport publishes the rates but no list of peak dates.
| Option | Rates | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central and Terminal B garages | $10 first hour, $46 for 7 to 24 hours, $46 per extra day | Hourly and daily parking; walk to terminals | Massport terminal parking |
| Economy garage | $10 first hour, $37 for 4 to 24 hours, $37 per extra day | Free shuttle bus to terminals A, B, C and E | Massport economy parking |
| Advance reservation | $29 per day, limited number of spaces | Offered for the Central, Terminal B and Economy garages | Massport terminal parking |
| Fill times | Parking tends to fill earliest on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings | Massport names February and April school vacations as peak | Massport Logan parking FAQs |
| Peak travel dates for Thanksgiving and Christmas | Not yet posted | Live garage fullness is on the parking availability page | Massport parking availability |
Parking meters on the holidays
Each city sets its own list. Garages and permit zones can still be enforced, so read the posted signs.
| City | Meters on the holidays | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Free with no time limit on Thu Nov 26 and Fri Dec 25 | New Year's Day 2027 Not yet posted; Thanksgiving Friday and Christmas Eve are not listed | City of Boston holidays |
| Boston: street cleaning | Daytime street cleaning canceled Nov 26 and Dec 25 | Overnight street cleaning stays on its normal schedule | City of Boston holidays |
| Boston: normal hours | Most meters run Mon to Sat, 8 AM to 8 PM | Check the sign for the hours and time limit | Boston parking meters |
| Boston: snow emergencies | No parking on posted snow emergency arteries | Ticketed and towed; some garages discount for resident stickers | Boston snow emergency parking |
| Cambridge | No payment at meters on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day | Holidays on a Sunday are observed Monday. Garages charge every day | Cambridge parking holidays |
| Somerville | Free on Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day | Permit parking is not enforced on Sundays and holidays | Somerville Parking Department |
| Salem | Free at garages, lots and meters on Thanksgiving, the day after, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day | Not the MBTA Commuter Rail garage. Dates subject to change; call 978-745-8120 | Salem holiday parking |
| Malden | No downtown meter enforcement Thu Nov 26 and Fri Dec 25 | Normally Mon to Sat, 7 AM to 7 PM. New Year's Day 2027 Not yet posted | Malden downtown parking meters |
| Medford | Meters not enforced on recognized holidays | Medford Square meters normally Mon to Sat, 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Holiday list Not yet posted | Medford Square parking |
Common questions
Does the MBTA run on Thanksgiving 2026?
The MBTA lists Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 26, as a modified-service holiday and says to check its holiday page for the schedule. The subway, bus, Commuter Rail and The RIDE details are Not yet posted. Ferries do not run.
Is there a flat Commuter Rail fare over the holidays?
Yes. The $10 pass gives unlimited Commuter Rail trips from Thursday, Nov 26 through Sunday, Nov 29, and from Friday, Dec 25 through Sunday, Dec 27. You can buy it on the mTicket app, at North, South or Back Bay ticket windows, or on board.
Are Boston parking meters free on Christmas?
Boston lists Friday, Dec 25 with free meters and no time limit, and cancels daytime street cleaning. Overnight street cleaning stays on its normal schedule.
Does Logan Express run on holidays?
Massport says Logan Express runs 7 days a week, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, with schedules and frequency that may be adjusted. Its lots can fill during Thanksgiving, Christmas and school vacation weeks.
Sources
Every entry above links to the page it was read from. Each page was checked on November 10, 2026.
- MBTA holiday service schedulesmbta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA ferry extension, Oct 28, 2026mbta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA $10 weekend and holiday passesmbta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA Haverhill Line schedulembta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA Lowell Line schedulembta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA Newburyport/Rockport schedulembta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA Fitchburg Line schedulembta.com · checked Nov 10
- MBTA The RIDEmbta.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Express parkingmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Express Back Baymassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Expressmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Express FAQsmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport terminal parkingmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport economy parkingmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan parking FAQsmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport parking availabilitymassport.com · checked Nov 10
- City of Boston holidaysboston.gov · checked Nov 10
- Boston parking metersboston.gov · checked Nov 10
- Boston snow emergency parkingboston.gov · checked Nov 10
- Cambridge parking holidayscambridgema.gov · checked Nov 10
- Somerville Parking Departmentsomervillema.gov · checked Nov 10
- Salem holiday parkingsalemma.gov · checked Nov 10
- Malden downtown parking meterscityofmalden.org · checked Nov 10
- Medford Square parkingmedfordma.org · checked Nov 10
- MBTA ferry schedulesmbta.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Express Danversmassport.com · checked Nov 10
- Massport Logan Express Woburnmassport.com · checked Nov 10