Massachusetts Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply

By Anchor Guide editors · Reviewed May 17, 2026 · Source: mass.gov

Quick answer

In Massachusetts, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the One-Day Special License (Section 14), open to any enterprise for wine and/or malt beverages; all alcoholic beverages for non-profit organizations only. It costs Fixed by each local licensing authority; not uniform. The limit is 30 a year.

General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.

Permit at a glance

Permit name: One-Day Special License (Section 14)
Official source: mass.gov State statute — M.G.L. c. 138, § 14
Fee: Fixed by each local licensing authority; not uniform
Annual limit: 30 a year
Nonprofits only: No
Law: M.G.L. c. 138, § 14
Last verified: May 17, 2026

Who it covers

Who can apply in Massachusetts.

Who can apply: Any enterprise for wine and/or malt beverages; all alcoholic beverages for non-profit organizations only

Each license is for a single day; no person may hold special licenses for more than 30 days per calendar year. Not available for premises that already hold a liquor license.

How to apply

3 steps, in order.

Contact the Local Licensing Authority of the city or town where the event is held.
Pay any required state fee online and include the printed confirmation receipt with the application to the Local Licensing Authority.
Buy alcohol for the event only from an authorized source, not a package store.

Neighbors

How Massachusetts compares.

— means the agency does not publish that value. Each state links to its own sourced page.
State	Fee	Lead time	Nonprofit only
Massachusetts	Fixed by each local licensing authority; not uniform	—	No
Connecticut	$50 per day	—	Yes
New Hampshire	$100	15 days	Yes

Across the border

What changes next door.

Massachusetts lets more than nonprofits apply; Connecticut does not.
The annual limit is 30 a year here, against 12 a year in Connecticut.
Massachusetts lets more than nonprofits apply; New Hampshire does not.

Also needed in Massachusetts

Training and liability.

Server training

None in Massachusetts. APIS data as of 1/1/2025. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 18/18/18.

Next steps

Sources

Massachusetts — One-Day Special License (Section 14) · State statute — M.G.L. c. 138, § 14, checked May 17, 2026
M.G.L. c. 138, § 14 · State statute — M.G.L. c. 138, § 14, checked May 17, 2026
Massachusetts — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026

General information, not legal advice.