What is changing around town this season
One card for each of 37 towns: the Thanksgiving and Christmas trash change and the winter parking rule, with a link to the town's own page. Where a town has not posted its holiday schedule, the card says so and links where it will appear.
Coming up
- Sun, Nov 15: winter overnight parking rule starts in North Reading and Woburn.
- Thu, Nov 26: Thanksgiving. Trash and recycling slide a day in towns that follow the usual one-day delay; see your card.
- Thu, Nov 26: Thanksgiving: courts, USPS, Federal Reserve and package stores closed. What's Open on Holidays in Massachusetts, 2026
- Thu, Nov 26: Thanksgiving: no ferries, Boston meters free, $10 rail pass to Nov 29. Getting Around Boston Over the Holidays 2026
- Tue, Dec 1: winter overnight parking rule starts in Andover, Burlington, Dracut, Lexington, Middleton, Stoneham and Wilmington.
- Wed, Dec 9: USPS last day for First-Class and Priority Mail to military and abroad. Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2026: USPS, UPS, FedEx
- Thu, Dec 17: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class last day for Christmas. Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2026: USPS, UPS, FedEx
- Mon, Dec 21: winter overnight parking rule starts in Nahant.
- Fri, Dec 25: Christmas Day. Same one-day slide where it applies.
Andover
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26) and Christmas (Fri Dec 25): FY27 guide lists Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day as holidays after which collections are one day later. No leaf collection the week of Thanksgiving. Call 978-623-8701 for delay alerts. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. No parking on any street 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. from Dec 1 to Apr 1; the Police Chief can suspend it with Select Board approval. Towed at owner's expense plus any fine. Source ↗
Bedford
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26) and Christmas (Fri Dec 25): 2026-27 calendar marks no holiday trash delay for this date; only Labor Day and Memorial Day weeks are marked. Collection stays on the regular day. Source ↗
Winter parking. No parking on any street or town lot between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., year round. Fine $25. No town lot is open for overnight parking, so find your own spot. Source ↗
Belmont
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: 2026-27 calendar marks Thu Nov 26 in red as a holiday. Its rule: holiday postpones that day to the next day and all remaining days that week. Source ↗
Winter parking. No parking on any public or private street for over 1 hour between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Year round. Fine $25. Overnight parking on town lots is banned when snow is forecast. Source ↗
Beverly
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: The city calendar marks Thu Nov 26 as a holiday; trash is delayed a day (arrow carries through Saturday). Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: The calendar marks Fri Dec 25 as a holiday; trash is delayed a day (to Saturday). Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. An emergency parking ban is invoked whenever snow or ice is forecast. No parking on any street or school grounds during the ban. Check the city's winter parking page for the fine and ban hours. Source ↗
Billerica
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26) and Christmas (Fri Dec 25): 2026-27 guide: when a holiday falls on a collection day, collection is delayed one day for the rest of that week. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are listed. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Town Manager can declare a plowing emergency with at least 6 hours' notice. No parking on any public street for the duration. $50 fine and towing at owner's expense. Police enforce. Source ↗
Burlington
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26) and Christmas (Fri Dec 25): Town page: if a holiday hits, trash and recycling are delayed one day and picked up on Friday. No 2026 holiday notice posted yet; calendar marks town holidays. Missed pickup: call DPW 781-270-1670. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. Dec 1 to Apr 1: no parking on any street 2-8 a.m. (General Bylaw Art. XIII 1.12). Fine $25 first offense, $50 after. Source ↗
Cambridge
Holiday trash. Cambridge has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice.
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. During substantial storms the City may declare a Snow Emergency Parking Ban. Cars on streets signed 'No Parking during Snow Emergency' are ticketed and towed. Ticket $40. No duration stated. Source ↗
Chelmsford
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: FY2027 flyer calendar marks Thu Nov 26 as a one-day-delay holiday. Pickup slides one day; no bulk item pickup in holiday weeks. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: FY2027 flyer calendar marks Fri Dec 25 as a one-day-delay holiday. Pickup slides one day; no bulk item pickup in holiday weeks. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Select Board can declare a snow emergency; then no vehicle may park on any street. Bans are set storm by storm (Jan 2026: noon Sun to midnight Mon). Cars are ticketed and towed. $10 fine in the code. Source ↗
Dracut
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: 2026 recycling calendar: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of the week slide one day; Friday goes to Saturday. Thu Nov 26 shown as a holiday. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: 2026 recycling calendar: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of the week slide one day; Friday goes to Saturday. Fri Dec 25 shown as a holiday. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. No parking on any public street between 12 midnight and 6 a.m., December 1 through March 15, except in an emergency. Fine up to $10. Source ↗
Everett
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: City page lists Thanksgiving 11/26/2026 as a holiday where trash pickup is delayed one day. Yard waste week of Nov 23 also slides one day after Thursday. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: City page lists Christmas 12/25/2026 as a holiday where trash pickup is delayed one day. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Police chief declares a ban. Park only on the odd or even side by year; no parking on main arteries (Broadway, Chelsea, Ferry, Main, Second St, etc.). Wrong-side or artery cars may be ticketed and towed. Source ↗
Lexington
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town holiday page (2026-27): curbside trash/recycling normally runs on a 1-day delay from the holiday on; Friday pickup moves to Saturday. Town offices closed Thu Nov 26. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town holiday page (2026-27): curbside trash/recycling normally runs on a 1-day delay from the holiday on; Friday pickup moves to Saturday. Town offices closed Fri Dec 25. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. No parking on any street for over 1 hour between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Police enforce it strictly Dec 1 to Apr 1 for snow removal. A November warning tag says it may mean a $20 ticket. Source ↗
Lowell
Holiday trash. Lowell has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. City declares a snow emergency ban for major storms. All vehicles must be off the street within 6 hours of the declaration. Violators can be ticketed and towed. Keep roads clear after it lifts. Source ↗
Lynn
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: The 2026-27 city calendar marks Thu Nov 26 as an observed holiday: collection is delayed by a day. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: The 2026-27 city calendar marks Fri Dec 25 as an observed holiday: collection is delayed by a day. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. In a declared snow emergency no vehicle may park on any public street or sidewalk. Ticket and tow if left. The city announces when the ban lifts. Source ↗
Malden
Holiday trash. Malden has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. Once the city calls the first significant snowstorm, parking is limited to one side of the street 24/7 until April 1. Violations can be ticketed or towed. Source ↗
Marblehead
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town page: trash and recycling are delayed one day on Thanksgiving Day, and the Transfer Station is closed. Exact 2026 collection days get posted the holiday week; not up yet. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town page: Christmas Day delays trash and recycling one day and closes the Transfer Station (it also closes the day before Christmas). Check the town page for the exact days. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. On a declared snow emergency, no vehicle, boat or trailer may park on any public way; ticketed and/or towed. Feb 2026 bans ran from 9-11 p.m. until 7 a.m. or until roads were safe. Source ↗
Medford
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Thu Nov 26 is a delay holiday on the 2026-27 city calendar: collections slide one day for the rest of that week (Friday to Saturday). Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Fri Dec 25 is a delay holiday on the 2026-27 city calendar: collections slide one day, so Friday pickups run Saturday. Source ↗
Winter parking. Homes with a driveway or garage may not park on the street over 1 hour between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. Any car left 48 straight hours on a public way can be towed. Source ↗
Melrose
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: No curbside collection and City Yard closed Thu Nov 26. Fri Nov 27 and Sat Nov 28 are marked 'delayed one day' on the 2026 calendar (Friday pickups run Saturday). Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: No curbside collection and City Yard closed Fri Dec 25. Friday pickups move to Saturday Dec 26 (2026 calendar). Source ↗
Winter parking. No overnight street parking in Melrose: the normal ban is 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every night, all year. One-night guest exemptions come from the Police Dept (12 per year). Source ↗
Middleton
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: No town trash pickup. Transfer Station is open Wed, Sat, Sun, so Thursday Nov 26 is not an open day anyway. Private haulers set their own holiday schedule. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Transfer Station hours are Wed, Sat, Sun, so Friday Dec 25 is not an open day. No closures posted for Dec 26 (Sat). Private haulers vary. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. Overnight parking ban on all streets, 12:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m., Dec 1 through Apr 1 (one town page says Apr 15; the other says Apr 1). Source ↗
Nahant
Holiday trash. Nahant has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice.
Winter parking. Starts Mon, Dec 21. Winter overnight parking ban Dec 21 to Mar 20, 12 AM to 6 AM, every night. Cars on street or sidewalk can be ticketed and towed. Residents may apply for a winter parking sticker ($30 waiver fee). Source ↗
North Reading
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Official 2026 holiday sheet: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of the week slide one day (Friday's goes to Saturday). Thanksgiving is listed as Thu Nov 26, 2026. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Official 2026 holiday sheet: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of the week slide one day (Friday's goes to Saturday). Christmas is listed as Fri Dec 25, 2026, so Friday pickups run Saturday Dec 26. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Sun, Nov 15. Nov 15 to Apr 15: no parking in public rights-of-way 1-6 a.m. (emergencies excepted). Source ↗
Peabody
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: City 2026 holiday schedule: Thursday Nov 26 Thanksgiving is a ONE DAY DELAY holiday. Collection slides one day for the rest of the week (Thu to Fri, Fri to Sat). Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: City 2026 holiday schedule: Friday Dec 25 Christmas is a ONE DAY DELAY holiday. Friday collection slides to Saturday Dec 26. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Snow emergency = automatic parking ban; all cars off city streets. Takes effect the moment the blue lights go on. Cars on the street may be towed at owner's expense. Fine $50 (impeding plows $30). Source ↗
Reading
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town rule: a holiday delays pickup one day. For a Thursday holiday like Thanksgiving, only Thursday and Friday are affected (Friday's pickup is Saturday). No 2026 notice yet. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town rule: holiday delays pickup one day; Friday's pickup is Saturday. The town page does not name the holidays; a local news item (Reading Observer, undated) lists Christmas Day. Dec 25 is a Friday. No 2026 notice yet. Source ↗
Winter parking. No parking on any street or town lot 1-6 a.m. (Traffic Rules Sec. 5.9, Oct 2026). Police enforce streets only when snow is forecast; Downtown and town lots are enforced always. Fine $25. Source ↗
Revere
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: City policy: trash and recycling is collected one day late following Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving week is also an overflow week. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: City policy: trash and recycling one day late following Christmas Day. Christmas week is also an overflow week. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. In a declared Snow Emergency, no parking on streets signed No Parking for it; cars must be off. Cars that block plowing are ticketed and towed. The DPW Superintendent can add temporary no-parking signs. Source ↗
Salem
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: The 2026 calendar highlights Thu Nov 26 as a holiday; collection is delayed one day following the holiday. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: The calendar highlights Fri Dec 25; collection is delayed one day following the holiday. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Declared when 2+ inches are predicted; the ban starts automatically. All cars off city streets and sidewalks or ticketed and towed. Downtown district gets its own ban time, set per storm. Source ↗
Saugus
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town brochure lists Thanksgiving Day: that day's collection and the rest of the week are delayed one day (Friday goes to Saturday). No 2026 notice posted; brochure is undated. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town brochure lists Christmas Day: that day's collection and the rest of the week are delayed one day (Friday goes to Saturday). No 2026 notice posted. Source ↗
Winter parking. Traffic rules: no parking on any street longer than 1 hour between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., every night. The rules on the town site are dated through 10/24/16. Source ↗
Somerville
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: City holiday list: pickup is delayed one day. Both Thanksgiving Day (Thu Nov 26) and the Friday after (Nov 27) are listed. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: City holiday list: Christmas Day Fri Dec 25, 2026 delays pickup by one day. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. When the city declares a snow emergency you have 4 hours to move to the even side or a municipal lot. Meters and the 48-hour rule are not enforced. Fines $100 each. Space savers banned. Source ↗
Stoneham
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town rule: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of that week's collections slide one day (Friday's goes to Saturday). No 2026 notice posted yet. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town rule: when a collection day falls on a holiday, that day and the rest of that week's collections slide one day (Friday's goes to Saturday). No 2026 notice posted yet. Dec 25 is a Friday, so Friday pickups would slide to Saturday. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. Dec 1 to April 1: no parking on public streets from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Parking on sidewalks is never allowed. Source ↗
Swampscott
Holiday trash. Swampscott has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. No overnight ban: overnight street parking is allowed all year, except during declared snow events or when police and fire need the street clear. Source ↗
Tewksbury
Holiday trash. Tewksbury has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. Nov 1 to Mar 31: no parking on any street midnight to 6 a.m. (Bylaw 8.24.010). Fine $25. Source ↗
Topsfield
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: The 2026-27 calendar highlights Thu Nov 26 and Fri Nov 27; those collection days are delayed by one day. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: The calendar highlights Fri Dec 25; Friday collection is delayed by one day. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. The town has a parking ban anytime it snows: if it's snowing, don't park on the street. Strictly enforced; towing in extreme cases, with a reasonable effort to notify first. Source ↗
Tyngsborough
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26) and Christmas (Fri Dec 25): 2026-27 guide: trash and recycling are only delayed on Labor Day and Memorial Day. Regular Monday pickup is unchanged otherwise. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Winter parking ban is declared storm by storm (Feb 2026: all town roads, ticket and tow). Cars that block plows may be towed at the owner's expense, in town lots too. Questions: DPW 978-649-2310. Source ↗
Wakefield
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Thu Nov 26 is marked 'refuse/recycling collection delayed one day' on the 2026 calendar. Thursday route is collected Fri Nov 27. Town Hall closes noon Nov 25 but trash runs as usual. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Fri Dec 25 is marked 'refuse/recycling collection delayed one day' on the 2026 calendar. Town Hall closed Dec 24; trash collected as usual that day. Source ↗
Winter parking. Wakefield no longer has an all-night winter parking ban. The town asks everyone to keep cars off the road during winter storms. Source ↗
Westford
Holiday trash. Westford has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. Winter parking ban Nov 1 to Mar 31: no on-street parking over 1 hour between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., none during snowstorms or post-storm cleanup. $25 fine, may be towed. Source ↗
Wilmington
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: No 2026 Thanksgiving notice posted yet. Wilmington's pattern on holidays: no pickup that day and the rest of the week slides one day (Friday goes to Saturday). Source: local news (Wilmington Apple), not a town notice. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: No Christmas 2026 notice posted yet. Pattern on weekday holidays: no pickup that day, collection slides one day later (Friday Dec 25 pickup would move to Saturday). Source: local news (Wilmington Apple), not a town notice. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Tue, Dec 1. Dec 1 to Apr 1: no parking on any public way 1-6 a.m. (By-Law Sec. 19). Fine up to $50, each day a separate offense. Source ↗
Winchester
Holiday trash. Winchester has not posted a 2026 holiday trash notice. Watch the town's collection page ↗
Winter parking. No parking on any street for more than 1 hour between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Year round, not just winter. Doctors, nurses and clergy visiting the sick are exempt. Source ↗
Winthrop
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: Town list: Thanksgiving Day Thu Nov 26, 2026 has no curbside pickup; all trash and recycling is delayed one day for the rest of that week. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: Town list: Christmas Day Fri Dec 25, 2026: no pickup; delayed one day for the rest of the week. Source ↗
Winter parking. Snow-emergency bans only. Once the NWS or media announce expected snow, all cars must leave town streets (except listed street sides). The DPW Director may also declare a ban with a clear-by time. Ticketed and towed if left. Source ↗
Woburn
Holiday trash. Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26: If a collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and the rest of that week's are delayed one day. Thanksgiving Thu Nov 26, 2026 is on the city's holiday list. Source ↗ Christmas, Fri Dec 25: If a collection day falls on a holiday, that day's collection and the rest of that week's are delayed one day. Christmas Day Fri Dec 25, 2026 is on the city's holiday list, so Friday pickups run Saturday. Source ↗
Winter parking. Starts Sun, Nov 15. Nov 15 to Mar 31: no parking on the EVEN side of any street 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Odd side is allowed unless signed. The ordinance repeats each year. Source ↗
No card for that town yet.
Trash information comes from each town's own calendar or notice, parking dates from each town's own rule, both as of November 9, 2026. Towns update these pages, so check the linked source before you rely on a date.
