Holiday store hours: Here’s what’s open and closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Holiday Store Hours: Here's What's Open and Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
It happens every year. The gifts are wrapped, the cookies are baked, and the festive cheer is flowing—then suddenly, you realize you forgot the critical ingredient for the morning casserole, or worse, the batteries for that must-have toy. In the frantic rush of the holiday season, knowing which stores are open and, crucially, when they plan to lock their doors is essential information.
This year, as the Christmas holiday falls on a Monday, retailers and service providers have made specific adjustments to their standard operating hours. While Christmas Day remains one of the few federal holidays where almost all major retailers shut down entirely, Christmas Eve often offers a tight window for last-minute shopping. Don't waste gas driving to a locked door. We've compiled the definitive guide to the major store closures and limited operational hours for December 24th and 25th.
Note: Always check your local store's specific schedule via their website or app, as regional management may adjust holiday schedules due to local ordinances or staffing needs.
Navigating the Chaos: Store Hours for Last-Minute Christmas Eve Shopping
Christmas Eve (December 24th) is historically the busiest half-day for many retailers. While stores want to capture that final wave of consumers looking for stocking stuffers or emergency purchases, they must also allow their employees time off to prepare for the holiday. As a result, expect significant early closures across almost all retail sectors, particularly by mid-afternoon.
If you have last-minute gifts to buy or ingredients to grab, prioritize getting to the store before 3:00 PM local time. After that, your options will become severely limited, primarily restricted to convenience stores or smaller, independently owned operations.
Here is a breakdown of anticipated Christmas Eve operating hours for major retail giants and department stores:
- Walmart: Most locations will operate on a modified schedule, closing significantly earlier than usual, typically around 6:00 PM local time. Supercenters usually follow the same shortened schedule.
- Target: Target is a prime destination for holiday shoppers, but they strictly enforce early closures on Christmas Eve, usually shutting down all stores by 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Plan your run well in advance.
- Kohl's: Known for extended hours in the days leading up to the holiday, Kohl's will still close early on the 24th. Expect doors to lock around 6:00 PM.
- Macy's: Department store chains like Macy's typically adhere to an early closure, often between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, allowing staff to leave well before dark.
- Best Buy: If you need electronics or tech accessories, Best Buy will operate with truncated hours, generally closing at 6:00 PM.
- Home Depot / Lowe's: Home improvement stores are essential for that last-minute household repair or gift assembly tool. They typically close at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve.
- T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods: These discount retailers will likely shut down operations very early, often around 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
- CVS / Walgreens: While most stores remain open (often closing around 8:00 PM), their internal pharmacy counters will usually close much earlier, sometimes as early as 4:00 PM.
If you rely on curbside pickup or delivery services, be aware that those services may cease operations even earlier than the physical store closing time. Check your app for the final available time slots.
Expect Major Closures: What Retail Giants Are Doing on Christmas Day
Christmas Day (December 25th) is unique in the retail world. Unlike Thanksgiving or Easter, Christmas Day sees the most uniform closures across the United States. Almost every major corporation grants its employees the full day off, adhering to the traditional holiday schedule.
The vast majority of "big box" stores, department stores, malls, and specialty retailers will be 100% closed. This includes, but is not limited to, the following retail giants:
- Walmart (All Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets)
- Target
- Costco (Known for strict adherence to closures on major holidays)
- Home Depot and Lowe's
- Best Buy, Apple Store, and most technology retailers
- Kohl's, JCPenney, Macy's, and all major department stores
- T.J. Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, Burlington
- Most major fast-food chains and dine-in restaurants (though local franchises may vary).
The Few Exceptions: Where to Go in an Emergency
If you face a true emergency on Christmas Day—a forgotten prescription, a severe lack of coffee, or a necessary baby item—a handful of smaller or essential operations may still be available. These places typically operate on extremely limited "emergency" hours:
- 7-Eleven: Many locations are open 24/7, even on Christmas Day, though staffing may be minimal.
- Circle K / Speedway: Convenience stores often remain operational, offering basic snacks, drinks, and fuel.
- Starbucks: While not all locations participate, many standalone and licensed Starbucks stores will open for limited hours (e.g., 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Check the app before you go.
- Waffle House: A famous exception, Waffle House is known for staying open through virtually any major holiday or natural disaster.
- Independent Drug Stores: Some very small, local drug stores may open for a limited window, but this is rare.
Grocery, Pharmacy, and Liquor Stores: Operating Hours for Critical Needs
While the focus is often on gifts, securing necessary food, medication, or spirits is often the most pressing concern right before and during the holiday. These essential services have varied schedules that require careful checking.
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
Most major grocery chains follow the early closure pattern on Christmas Eve and the full closure pattern on Christmas Day. Do not rely on being able to purchase fresh produce or meat on December 25th.
- Kroger / Safeway / Albertsons: Nearly all locations will close early on the 24th (typically 6:00 PM) and will be completely closed on the 25th.
- Trader Joe's: Known for strict adherence to employee holidays, Trader Joe's closes early on Christmas Eve and is always closed on Christmas Day.
- Whole Foods Market: Operating hours are extremely limited on the 24th, with closures often hitting by 4:00 PM. They are closed on the 25th.
- Harris Teeter: A notable exception in some regions, a few Harris Teeter locations may offer ultra-limited Christmas Day hours (e.g., 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM), but confirm locally.
Pharmacies and Critical Medications
This is perhaps the most critical section for those needing medication refills or emergency medical supplies. On Christmas Day, only a fraction of pharmacy locations will be open, and those that are often only have the drive-thru or front counter available for limited hours.
- CVS: Many 24-hour CVS locations will remain open for retail items on the 25th, but the actual pharmacy counter will likely be closed or operate under emergency hours (e.g., 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Call ahead to ensure a pharmacist is on duty.
- Walgreens: Similar to CVS, 24-hour Walgreens stores will generally be open all day, but the internal pharmacy will have greatly reduced hours or be closed entirely.
If you rely on mail-order prescriptions or need specialty compounding, ensure your medication is delivered or picked up no later than December 23rd, as delivery services and pharmacy services face holiday slowdowns.
Liquor and Alcohol Sales
Alcohol sales are heavily regulated and vary dramatically by state and county. In many regions, liquor stores are mandated to close on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, expect state-run liquor stores (if applicable) to close early, often by 5:00 PM.
- State-Controlled Stores: Expect total closure on the 25th in states like Pennsylvania and Utah.
- Private Liquor Stores: These may follow the general retail trend, closing early on the 24th and remaining closed on the 25th.
- Grocery Store Sales: In states where grocery stores sell wine and beer, these sales will cease when the store closes (usually 6:00 PM on the 24th) and will not resume until the 26th.
The best advice for managing the holiday store schedules is simple: Plan ahead. Complete your major shopping by December 23rd, and treat December 24th as the absolute final chance for forgotten items. By Christmas Day, you should assume the city has temporarily shut down, allowing you—and the dedicated retail workers—to enjoy a well-deserved day of rest and celebration.
Holiday store hours: Here's what's open and closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
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