Few big stores open on Christmas Day: in 2025, Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger and Publix all closed. What tends to stay open: convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Wawa, many CVS and Walgreens stores, and diners and coffee shops such as Waffle House and Starbucks. On Christmas Eve, most chains close early, between 2 and 8 p.m. in 2025.
Updated by the Frugal Santa elves
Christmas store hours
47 US chains, each with the hours it kept last Christmas, a link to its own store finder and the reports behind every line.
Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday, so Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24. None of these chains had posted 2026 Christmas Eve hours as of October 16, 2026, so each row shows its 2025 hours, labeled 2025. Hours vary by store; the store-hours link shows yours.
47 chains, A to Z.
| Store | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | Check your store |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-ElevenConvenience and gas | 2025: Most open 24 hours | Open2025: Most open 24 hours | Store hours for 7-Eleven (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 11 |
| Albertsons and SafewayGrocery | 2025: Hours varied; many closed early | Some open2025: Most closed; some stores open with shorter hours | Store hours for Albertsons and Safeway (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 10 11 |
| AldiGrocery | 2025: Most 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Aldi (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 21 11 |
| Best BuyBig box and retail | 2025: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Best Buy (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 19 |
| BJ's Wholesale ClubWarehouse club | 2025: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for BJ's Wholesale Club (opens in a new tab)Sources 1 13 17 18 |
| BurlingtonBig box and retail | 2025: Most 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Burlington (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 |
| Chick-fil-ARestaurants and coffee | 2025: Hours varied; some on limited hours | ClosedEvery year: All restaurants close on Christmas Day, company policy | Store hours for Chick-fil-A (opens in a new tab)Sources 5 13 10 16 |
| Chili'sRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Closed at 4 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Chili's (opens in a new tab)Sources 13 20 16 |
| ChipotleRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Closed early, most at 3 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Chipotle (opens in a new tab)Sources 13 10 16 |
| Circle KConvenience and gas | 2025: Most open 24 hours | Open2025: Most open 24 hours; some hours vary | Store hours for Circle K (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 19 |
| CostcoWarehouse club | 2025: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Executive members from 9 a.m. | Closed2025: All US warehouses closed | Store hours for Costco (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 9 13 17 11 |
| Cracker BarrelRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Closed at 2 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Cracker Barrel (opens in a new tab)Sources 13 20 10 16 |
| CVSPharmacy | 2025: Open; some stores on shorter hours24-hour stores may keep different hours | Some open2025: Many open with shorter hours, some closed; many pharmacy counters closed | Store hours for CVS (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 13 10 11 |
| Denny'sRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Open; check local hours | Some open2025: Many open; check local hours | Store hours for Denny's (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 20 12 |
| Dunkin'Restaurants and coffee | 2025: Hours varied by store | Some open2025: Many open, some closed | Store hours for Dunkin' (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 12 13 |
| Food LionGrocery | 2025: Closed at 7 p.m.Pharmacies 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Food Lion (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 13 19 |
| H-E-BGrocery | 2025: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.Pharmacies closed at 5 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for H-E-B (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 22 23 |
| Harris TeeterGrocery | 2025: Closed at 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Harris Teeter (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 13 11 |
| Home DepotHome improvement | 2025: Many 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Home Depot (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 14 18 15 11 |
| Hy-VeeGrocery | 2025: Most 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Hy-Vee (opens in a new tab)Sources 6 9 23 |
| IHOPRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Open; hours varied by location | Some open2025: Many open; hours vary | Store hours for IHOP (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 20 16 13 |
| IKEABig box and retail | 2025: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for IKEA (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 25 15 11 |
| JCPenneyBig box and retail | 2025: Opened 9 a.m.; closing times varied | Closed2025 | Store hours for JCPenney (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 |
| Kohl'sBig box and retail | 2025: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Some stores until 8 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Kohl's (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 19 |
| KrogerGrocery | 2025: Most closed at 6 p.m.Some stores open until 8 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Kroger (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 21 13 11 |
| Lowe'sHome improvement | 2025: Closed at 6 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Lowe's (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 14 15 11 |
| Macy'sBig box and retail | 2025: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Macy's (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 11 |
| McDonald'sRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Hours varied by restaurant | Some open2025: Many open; hours set by each restaurant | Store hours for McDonald's (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 11 20 13 |
| MeijerGrocery | 2025: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Meijer (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 13 21 11 |
| Olive GardenRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Open, closed early | Closed2025 | Store hours for Olive Garden (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 20 |
| PetcoBig box and retail | 2025: Closed by 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Petco (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 19 |
| PetSmartBig box and retail | 2025: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for PetSmart (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 19 |
| PublixGrocery | 2025: Closed at 7 p.m. | ClosedEvery year: Closed on Christmas since the chain's founding, the company says | Store hours for Publix (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 13 11 7 |
| Red LobsterRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Open; hours varied by location | Open2025: Open, many from noon to 9 p.m. | Store hours for Red Lobster (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 20 16 13 |
| Sam's ClubWarehouse club | 2025: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Plus members from 8 a.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Sam's Club (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 13 17 11 |
| SheetzConvenience and gas | 2025: Regular hours (open 24 hours) | Open2025: Open 24 hours | Store hours for Sheetz (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 11 |
| StarbucksRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Hours varied by store | Some open2025: Many open, some closed; check the app | Store hours for Starbucks (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 16 11 13 24 |
| Taco BellRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Hours varied by restaurant | Closed2025 | Store hours for Taco Bell (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 16 |
| TargetBig box and retail | 2025: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.Drive Up orders until 6 p.m. | Closed2025: Reopened 7 a.m. on December 26 | Store hours for Target (opens in a new tab)Sources 2 8 13 15 11 |
| TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoodsBig box and retail | 2025: Most 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods (opens in a new tab)Sources 14 8 15 19 |
| Trader Joe'sGrocery | 2025: Closed at 5 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Trader Joe's (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 13 11 |
| Waffle HouseRestaurants and coffee | 2025: Open; hours varied by location | Open2025: Open | Store hours for Waffle House (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 16 20 12 |
| WalgreensPharmacy | 2025: Regular hours at most storesPharmacy hours vary | Open2025: Stores open, many on shorter hours; 24-hour stores kept regular hours; pharmacy hours vary | Store hours for Walgreens (opens in a new tab)Sources 4 8 10 11 |
| WalmartBig box and retail | 2025: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Closed2025: Reopened 6 a.m. on December 26 | Store hours for Walmart (opens in a new tab)Sources 8 13 17 15 11 |
| WawaConvenience and gas | 2025: Most open 24 hours | Open2025: Most open 24 hours | Store hours for Wawa (opens in a new tab)Sources 10 12 |
| WegmansGrocery | 2025: Closed at 6 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Wegmans (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 13 23 19 |
| Whole Foods MarketGrocery | 2025: Most 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Closed2025 | Store hours for Whole Foods Market (opens in a new tab)Sources 9 17 21 11 |
| No chain by that name in this table. Try the store's own app or store finder, or call the store. | |||
The small numbers are the sources for each row, listed under Sources at the bottom of the page.
Most stores close early on Christmas Eve, usually between 5 and 8 p.m. In 2025, Walmart ran 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Target 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Costco 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Executive members let in from 9 a.m. Sam's Club and BJ's closed at 6 p.m. Many Home Depot stores closed at 5 p.m. and Lowe's at 6 p.m. Best Buy and Macy's opened 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and most Kohl's stores 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants shut earlier still: Cracker Barrel at 2 p.m., most Chipotle restaurants at 3 p.m., and Chili's at 4 p.m. Burlington closed latest in the table, with most stores open until 9 p.m. Christmas Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday. Many chains confirm their hours in late November or December: in 2025, BJ's posted them on November 17 and Target on December 11. The clocks below show every 2025 closing time in the table.
Chains whose hours varied by store, and stores open all night, are left off the clocks. Times are each chain's usual close; some stores close earlier.
On Christmas Day almost every big store closes, so the open list is short. In 2025, Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and nearly every grocery chain closed for the day. Convenience stores and gas stations stayed open: most 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz and Circle K stores ran 24 hours. Walgreens stores opened, many on shorter hours, and many CVS stores opened with reduced hours while others closed. Some Albertsons and Safeway stores opened with adjusted hours. For a meal or a coffee, Waffle House, Denny's and IHOP kept many locations open, along with many McDonald's, Starbucks and Dunkin' shops, and Red Lobster served from noon to 9 p.m. at many restaurants. Local Chinese restaurants are typically open, Axios notes, and movie theaters show films: the AP reported Hollywood's best Christmas Day box office since before the pandemic in 2025. Of the 47 chains in the table, 14 kept some stores open.
Many drugstores open on Christmas Day, but the pharmacy counter often keeps shorter hours or stays closed. Walgreens said its stores would be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025, with pharmacy hours that may vary, and Axios reported that 24-hour Walgreens stores kept their regular hours. CVS hours varied by store: many opened with reduced hours, some closed, and many CVS pharmacies closed for the day. A 24-hour location may keep different hours from the store down the road, so look up the exact store in the CVS or Walgreens store finder (linked below), which show hours store by store. If you need a prescription over the holiday, ask for the refill a few days early, and call the pharmacy line to confirm its hours for December 24 and 25. In 2026, Christmas is a Friday, so aim to pick up refills by Thursday, December 24.
Yes. Nearly every grocery chain opens on Christmas Eve, closes early, then stays shut on Christmas Day. Axios calls Christmas Eve one of the busiest grocery shopping days of the year. In 2025, most Aldi stores closed at 4 p.m., Trader Joe's at 5 p.m. and most Hy-Vee stores at 5 p.m. Most Kroger stores closed at 6 p.m., as did Wegmans. Publix, Whole Foods, Meijer, Food Lion and Harris Teeter closed at 7 p.m., and H-E-B at 8 p.m., with its pharmacies closing at 5 p.m. Walmart's grocery aisles closed with the store at 6 p.m. and Target's at 8 p.m. On Christmas Day, Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, H-E-B and Wegmans all closed. The exceptions were some Albertsons, Safeway and Vons stores on shorter hours, and Axios reported most Acme stores open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buy the Christmas dinner groceries by the afternoon of the 24th.
Look up the exact store, not the chain. Holiday hours vary by location, and each chain's store finder or app shows a store's hours once they are set. Hours can also vary by mall, and opening on Christmas is often a franchise decision for fast-food restaurants, Axios notes. A pharmacy counter can close before the rest of the store: in 2025, H-E-B pharmacies closed at 5 p.m., three hours before the stores. If the hours matter, a quick call to the store settles it. Ordering ahead has its own cutoffs too. In 2025, Target took Drive Up and Order Pickup orders until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, to collect by 8 p.m., and Walmart took same-day pickup and delivery orders until noon on December 24 and express delivery orders until 5 p.m. Those cutoffs can change from year to year, so check the 2026 ones in December, along with the last days to ship for Christmas.
One you can send from your phone, like minutes on a live video call with Santa. If the shops close before you finish, a grown-up can buy Santa minutes for someone else at the same price per minute, $1 a minute, write a short note, and get a gift card with a code. Print it, save it as a picture or send the link. There is nothing to wrap or ship, and no closing time. The person who gets it opens it on the redeem page, signs in with their email, and the minutes go into their account. Minutes don't expire, and each code works once. Back from the stores? Call Santa on a live video call, on your own or with the kids. Ask him for the gift you want and tell him how your year went. After the call, each wish comes back as a list with store prices, lowest first.
No. Walmart stores closed on Christmas Day 2025 and reopened at 6 a.m. on December 26. On Christmas Eve 2025, stores were open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Walmart had not posted its 2026 Christmas hours as of October 16, 2026.
In 2025, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, with Drive Up and Order Pickup orders taken until 6 p.m. Target closed on Christmas Day and reopened at 7 a.m. on December 26.
In 2025, most warehouses opened at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. for Executive members) and closed at 5 p.m. All US Costco warehouses closed on Christmas Day.
Many CVS stores open on Christmas Day with reduced hours, some close, and many CVS pharmacies close for the day. Check your exact store in the CVS store locator before you go.
Many are and some aren't. In 2025 hours varied by store, so check the Starbucks app for the shop near you.
Many confirm them in late November or December. In 2025, BJ's posted its holiday hours on November 17 and Target on December 11.
Friday, December 25. Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24. The Christmas countdown shows the days, hours and sleeps to go.
Every row was checked on October 16, 2026 against the chain's own page or at least two news reports from December 2025. The numbers in the table point here.
Live videoSanta answers a live video call in your browser. Tell him what you wish for, then get each wish back as a list with store prices, lowest first. $1 a minute.
Call Santa
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