Will stores be open on Christmas Day 2025
In the United States, most major national retailers remain closed on Christmas Day, while some local and specific-format stores may open; policies vary by brand, union agreements, and state law, and this evergreen guide reflects typical patterns and how to confirm 2025 hours. Plan around essential pharmacies, limited grocery options, and early-bird value stores if you need to shop, and always check the retailer’s website or app for the most current, location-specific hours before you go.
Typical Christmas Day store hours by retailer type
Store hours on Christmas Day fall into three broad categories: closed, limited or phased opening, and essential-service only. Below is a concise overview of what you can generally expect from each retailer category, with notes on exceptions and how local rules can shift patterns.
Usually closed on Christmas Day
Most big-box, warehouse, home improvement, and general merchandise chains close for the holiday to allow staff to be with family. This pattern is common across large national and regional brands, though a few locations may open where required by law or local agreement.
- Walmart — typically closed; a limited number of locations may open in certain states
- Target — closed nationwide; stores in a few municipalities may have reduced hours
- The Home Depot and Lowe’s — closed for the holiday
- Best Buy — closed; select experiences may have limited availability
- Kohl’s — generally closed
- Dollar General and Dollar Tree — typically closed
Limited or phased opening (location dependent)
Some retailers open a subset of doors very early or run restricted hours at select stores, often driven by local ordinances, union rules, or municipal holiday calendars.
- Walmart: select stores in a few states may open on Christmas morning (often 9:00 a.m.); availability is highly location specific
- Target: a small number of stores in certain cities may open briefly for essential items
- CVS and Walgreens: many neighborhood pharmacies open for prescriptions and a limited assortment of convenience items
- Walgreens: most locations open with reduced hours for pharmacy needs
- Rite Aid: select stores open, primarily to serve prescription needs
- 7-Eleven, Circle K, and other convenience c-stores: many remain open or have very limited closures
Generally open or pharmacy-focused on Christmas Day
Grocery, pharmacy, and a few value formats often operate with reduced hours, focusing on essentials and prescription services.
- Publix and many regional grocers: many locations open with reduced hours, primarily for groceries and pharmacy
- Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons: select stores open, primarily for pharmacy and essentials
- H-E-B (Texas): many stores open with shortened hours
- Aldi and regional value grocers: some stores open early for basics
- Walgreens and CVS: pharmacy-driven schedules; many locations open
| Retailer | Typical Christmas Day Status | Notes / Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Closed (limited exceptions) | Check storelocator.walmart.com for your address |
| Target | Closed (rare limited openings) | Check target.com/c/store-hours and enter your ZIP |
| The Home Depot | Closed | Confirm via homedepot.com/storehours |
| Lowe’s | Closed | Confirm via lowes.com/store/storehours |
| Costco | Closed | Check Costco.com locations for details |
| CVS Pharmacy | Pharmacy-focused, many open | Use CVS.com or the app for exact hours by store |
| Walgreens | Pharmacy-focused, many open | Check Walgreens.com or app for store-specific hours |
| Kroger (and affiliates) | Limited stores open for essentials | Verify at Kroger.com store hours by location |
| 7-Eleven | Generally open | Confirm via 7-eleven.com/store-locator |
Why Christmas Day hours vary by location
Whether a store opens on Christmas Day depends on labor rules, collective bargaining agreements, state and local holiday laws, and corporate holiday policies. Some municipalities mandate time-and-a-half or premium pay for holiday work, which leads chains to open only a few doors or rely on essential-service exceptions. Religious and cultural observances, staffing constraints, and union contracts also shape decisions, so patterns can differ by city and even by individual store.
Key drivers of variation
- State and local holiday labor laws: dictate premium pay requirements and can compel limited openings
- Union agreements: may specify holidays, staffing levels, and voluntary versus mandatory work
- Store format and size: larger stores often close, while smaller neighborhood stores may stay open for pharmacy needs
- Local customer demand: dense urban areas with tourism or transit hubs may see more openings
How to verify store hours for your location
Because exceptions are common, you should confirm hours for the specific store you plan to visit. The fastest method is the retailer’s official store-locator tool or mobile app, which shows time-specific, location-based hours and any temporary changes. Call the store the day before or the morning of, check Google Business hours, and monitor any last-minute updates due to staffing or weather.
Quick verification checklist
- Search the retailer’s official store‑locator and enter your ZIP or address
- Open the store’s page on the brand’s website or app for holiday hours
- Call the store or check Google Business for recent visitor updates
- Monitor the store’s social channels for same‑day notices
- If pharmacy services are needed, call the pharmacy directly for hours
What to expect if stores are closed
If your target store is closed on Christmas Day, plan for limited shopping options: pharmacies and a few convenience stores often remain open, and many groceries are available via delivery or pickup from stores that do operate. Consider ordering online with in-store pickup on Christmas Eve, using curbside or delivery from retailers that remain open, or waiting for sales that typically begin December 26 through New Year’s.
Planning ahead for the holiday and the days after
To reduce holiday stress, finalize gift and grocery lists in advance, place orders early for pickup or delivery on Christmas Eve, and identify nearby stores that will be open for essentials. Keep a short list of 24-hour pharmacies and convenience stores in your area, and monitor any weather or staffing changes that could affect hours on the day itself.