The short answer
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. Very few stores open on Christmas Day: Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Trader Joe’s and most supermarkets closed on Christmas 2025, and no major chain has posted 2026 hours yet. So the stores open on Christmas are mostly CVS, select 24-hour Walgreens, some Safeway and Albertsons stores, and gas stations such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, plus Starbucks, IHOP, Denny’s and Waffle House.
- Is Walmart open on Christmas 2026? Not announced yet; Walmart closed every store on Christmas Day 2025 and closed at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
- Stores open Christmas Eve: Most big stores open on Thursday, Dec. 24, but close early; in 2025, Target closed at 8 p.m., Walmart at 6 p.m. and Costco at 5 p.m.
- Is the post office open on Christmas? No. USPS lists Friday, Dec. 25, 2026, as a holiday. Christmas Eve is not on its 2026 holiday list, and post offices opened on Christmas Eve 2025.
- Banks and the stock market: Closed on Christmas Day. The NYSE closes early, at 1 p.m. ET, on Christmas Eve 2026.
- New Year’s Day 2027: Friday, Jan. 1, is a federal holiday; in 2026, Walmart and Target opened on New Year’s Day while Costco and Trader Joe’s closed.
Dec. 25
Christmas Day 2026 (a Friday)
6 p.m.
Walmart’s Christmas Eve closing time in 2025
8 p.m.
Target’s Christmas Eve closing time in 2025
1 p.m. ET
NYSE early close on Christmas Eve 2026
Last checked: October 14, 2026.
In this article
Christmas Day, the Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus and a US federal holiday, shuts down more of the country than almost any other day of the year. In 2026, it lands on Friday, December 25, and the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal HR agency, lists it as a federal holiday. As a result, government offices, post offices, banks and most big retailers close for the day, and Friday plus the weekend gives many families a three-day break.
This guide lists the stores open on Christmas, the stores open on Christmas Eve and their closing times, plus grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, USPS, banks and New Year’s Day hours. However, as of October 14, 2026, no major retailer has published its Christmas 2026 hours. Therefore, we mark every line as either confirmed for 2026 or based on 2025, with a source for each. For the rest of your holiday plan, start with our Christmas 2026 guide.
Stores open on Christmas Day 2026: which chains open?
Almost no big-box or department store opens on Christmas Day; Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Macy’s and IKEA all closed on December 25, 2025. Instead, the stores open on Christmas tend to be drugstores, a handful of supermarkets with reduced hours, and gas stations or convenience stores.
The table below covers the stores people search for most. “Standing policy” means the company says it closes every Christmas, so we expect the same in 2026. “Not announced yet” means you should treat the 2025 status as a guide, not a promise. In addition, hours always vary by location, so confirm with your own store.
| Store | Christmas Eve (Thu., Dec. 24, 2026) | Christmas Day (Fri., Dec. 25, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Not announced yet (closed at 6 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Target | Not announced yet (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Costco | Not announced yet (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Sam’s Club | Not announced yet (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club | Not announced yet (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Home Depot | Not announced yet (closed at 5 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Lowe’s | Not announced yet (closed at 6 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Kohl’s | Not announced yet (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet |
| Macy’s | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| IKEA | Not announced yet (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods | Not announced yet (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet |
| Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s | Not announced yet (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in 2025) | Not announced yet |
| Dollar General | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| Dollar Tree and Family Dollar | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (closed in 2025) |
| CVS | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (open in 2025; hours varied) |
| Walgreens | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (select 24-hour stores open in 2025) |
| 7-Eleven and Circle K | Not announced yet | Not announced yet (open in 2025; most 7-Eleven stores 24/7) |
Is Walmart, Target or Costco open on Christmas?
No, based on everything published so far: all three closed their US stores on Christmas Day 2025. None of them has posted 2026 holiday hours yet, so we will update this section once they do.
Is Walmart open on Christmas 2026?
Walmart, the largest US retailer, has not announced its Christmas 2026 hours yet. Still, Walmart closed its stores on Christmas Day 2025, according to Fox 5 New York, which checked company websites. So unless Walmart announces a change, expect the same on Friday, December 25, 2026. Meanwhile, Walmart.com and the Walmart app stay available for browsing, so you can still order ahead for later delivery.
Is Target open on Christmas?
No, Target closed on Christmas Day 2025, and the chain has not announced anything different for 2026. On Christmas Eve 2025, however, Target stayed open later than most rivals, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to USA Today. So if you need a last-minute gift or batteries, Target is usually the latest big-box option on December 24.
Is Costco open on Christmas?
No, Costco warehouses closed on Christmas Day 2025, along with Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Costco does not publish a national holiday schedule for 2026 on its site; instead, its hours and holiday closures page shows upcoming closures once you pick a warehouse. Likewise, check that page for Christmas Eve, when Costco ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 2025.
What time do stores close on Christmas Eve?
Most stores open on Christmas Eve close early, usually between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time. In 2025, Walmart closed at 6 p.m., Target at 8 p.m., Costco at 5 p.m. and Home Depot at 5 p.m., according to USA Today. Christmas Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday, and no chain has posted its 2026 times yet.
What time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve?
Walmart closed at 6 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve 2025, and that is the best guide for 2026 until Walmart confirms. Because Walmart also closes all day on December 25, plan any last grocery or gift run for Thursday afternoon at the latest.
Stores open on Christmas Eve: 2025 closing times
Beyond the big three, several specialty chains kept later hours last year. For example, Burlington stayed open until 9 p.m., while PetSmart, REI and Tractor Supply closed at 6 p.m. Office chains closed earlier still.
| Store | Christmas Eve 2025 hours |
|---|---|
| Burlington | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Target | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Kohl’s | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Petco | Closed at 7 p.m. |
| Walmart | Closed at 6 p.m. |
| Lowe’s | Closed at 6 p.m. |
| Staples | Closed at 6 p.m. |
| Belk | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (outlets 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) |
| PetSmart | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| REI | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Tractor Supply | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Home Depot | Closed at 5 p.m. |
| Office Depot and OfficeMax | Closed at 5 p.m. |
| JCPenney, Ace Hardware, Sephora | Varied by location |
Pro tip. Do your big Christmas Eve run before lunch. That way, you avoid the rush right before an early close, and you still have time to try a second store if one runs out of milk, butter or wrapping paper.
Which grocery stores are open on Christmas?
Only a few grocery chains open on Christmas Day, and usually only at select locations: Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Acme and Giant Food opened some stores in 2025. By contrast, Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, H-E-B and Wegmans all closed.
Kroger, the largest traditional supermarket company in the US, kept most stores open until 6 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2025 and then closed on Christmas Day. Similarly, Publix, the Florida-based chain, closes only three days a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter), according to the USA Today Network. Consequently, if you are still missing ingredients for dinner, our Christmas dinner menu guide helps you build a shopping list early.
| Grocery store | Christmas Eve 2025 | Christmas Day 2025 | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kroger | Most closed between 6 and 8 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Publix | Closed at 7 p.m. | Closed | Closed on Christmas Day (standing policy) |
| Whole Foods Market | Closed at 7 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Trader Joe’s | Closed at 5 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Aldi | Limited hours | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Lidl | Closed at 6 p.m. | Not listed | Not announced yet |
| Meijer | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Wegmans | Closed at 6 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Harris Teeter | Closed at 7 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Food Lion | Closed at 7 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Winn-Dixie | Closed at 9 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Giant Eagle | Closed at 5 p.m. | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Giant Food | Not listed | More than 136 stores open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Acme | Not listed | Select stores open with reduced hours | Not announced yet |
| H-E-B, Hy-Vee, Stop & Shop, Sprouts | Not listed | Closed | Not announced yet |
Is Kroger open on Christmas?
No, Kroger closed on Christmas Day 2025, according to TODAY, and it has not announced 2026 hours. On Christmas Eve, most Kroger stores closed between 6 and 8 p.m. Also, Kroger banners such as Ralphs, Fry’s and Harris Teeter set their own holiday hours, so check the exact store.
Is Publix open on Christmas?
No. Publix closes every Christmas Day as company policy, and it closed at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2025. Therefore, Publix shoppers should finish their holiday shopping by Thursday evening, December 24, 2026.
Is CVS open on Christmas? Pharmacies, gas stations and convenience stores
Yes, CVS kept stores open on Christmas Day 2025, although hours varied by location, and Walgreens opened only select 24-hour stores. Neither chain has posted 2026 hours yet. Gas stations and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Circle K, Sheetz and Wawa also stayed open.
CVS Pharmacy, the largest US drugstore chain, appeared on every 2025 open list we checked, but pharmacy counters often keep shorter hours than the front store. Walgreens, meanwhile, said only “select 24-hour locations” would open on Christmas Day 2025, according to Fox 5 NY. In addition, most supermarket pharmacies close whenever the store itself closes, so refill prescriptions before December 24.
For fuel and snacks, convenience stores remain your best bet. According to Scripps News, citing AP, most 7-Eleven stores ran 24/7 on Christmas 2025, Sheetz kept regular 24/7 hours and most Wawa locations stayed open. However, Dollar General, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar closed for the day.
Watch out. A drugstore that shows “open” on Christmas may still have a closed pharmacy counter. If you need a prescription on December 25, search your pharmacy app for “24 hours” first, then call the pharmacy line directly.
Which restaurants are open on Christmas?
Waffle House, IHOP, Denny’s, Fogo de Chão, Benihana, Red Lobster, Ruth’s Chris and many Starbucks, McDonald’s and Dunkin’ locations opened on Christmas Day 2025. On the other hand, Chick-fil-A, Olive Garden, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, Panera and Taco Bell closed. No chain has published 2026 holiday hours yet.
Restaurant hours depend heavily on the franchise owner, so even “open” chains can have closed locations. With that in mind, here is what Fox 6 Milwaukee, KSTP and Hip2Save reported for Christmas 2025.
| Restaurant | Christmas Eve 2025 | Christmas Day 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | Open | Open 24/7 |
| Denny’s | Open | Open; hours varied |
| IHOP | Open | Many open; hours varied |
| Starbucks | Hours varied | Many open; hours varied |
| McDonald’s | Hours varied | Many open; some drive-thru only |
| Dunkin’ | Hours varied | Select locations open |
| Fogo de Chão | 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Romano’s Macaroni Grill | Open | Open (hours varied by report) |
| Benihana, Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris, Chart House | Open | Open |
| Red Lobster | Hours varied | Open; hours varied |
| Boston Market, Golden Corral | Not listed | Select locations open |
| Applebee’s | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at many locations | Select locations only |
| Cracker Barrel | Closed at 2 p.m. | Closed |
| Chipotle | Closed at 3 p.m. | Closed |
| Chili’s | Closed at 4 p.m. | Closed |
| Outback Steakhouse | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Closed |
| Olive Garden, P.F. Chang’s, Buffalo Wild Wings | Open (reduced hours at some) | Closed (a few Buffalo Wild Wings, such as airports, opened) |
| Chick-fil-A | Some locations open with limited hours | Closed |
| Panera, Taco Bell, KFC | Not listed | Closed |
Is Starbucks open on Christmas?
Many Starbucks cafes opened on Christmas Day 2025, but hours varied by store and some stayed closed. Starbucks has not announced 2026 hours, so use the store locator in the Starbucks app, which shows each cafe’s holiday hours. Similarly, check the app before you drive to a McDonald’s or Dunkin’, because franchise owners decide their own holiday hours.
Are movie theaters open on Christmas?
Generally, yes. Movie theaters typically keep their doors open on Christmas Day, though hours may vary, according to KSTP. Still, call your theater or check its app, because showtimes on the holiday can shift. If you would rather stay in, our list of the best Christmas movies of all time covers a full movie night.
Is the post office open on Christmas Eve? USPS, banks and shipping
Yes, post offices opened and carriers delivered mail on Christmas Eve 2025, and Christmas Eve does not appear on the USPS 2026 holiday list. On Christmas Day, by contrast, the post office closes: the US Postal Service (USPS) lists Friday, December 25, 2026, as a holiday.
This is one area where 2026 details already exist. First, USPS listed Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day among its 2026 holidays in a USPS employee news post. Second, the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, lists December 25, 2026, and January 1, 2027, as holidays, but not December 24. Third, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closes on Christmas Day and closes early, at 1 p.m. ET, on Thursday, December 24, 2026.
| Service | Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 2026) | Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS post offices and mail delivery | Not a USPS holiday; offices opened and mail arrived in 2025 | Closed; no regular delivery | Christmas Day confirmed for 2026 (USPS, OPM) |
| Banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and others) | Not a Fed holiday; many opened with reduced hours in 2025 | Closed | Fed calendar confirmed for 2026; Christmas Eve branch hours from 2025 |
| Stock market (NYSE) | Early close at 1 p.m. ET | Closed | Confirmed for 2026 (NYSE) |
| UPS | UPS Store locations opened until at least 3 p.m. in 2025; no UPS Ground pickup | Closed in 2025 | Not announced yet |
| FedEx | Most pickup and delivery ran in 2025; FedEx Office on modified hours | Closed in 2025 | Not announced yet |
| Federal government offices and courts | Not a federal holiday in 2026 (see note below) | Closed | Christmas Day confirmed for 2026 (OPM) |
One caveat applies to Christmas Eve. In 2025, President Trump signed an executive order on December 18 that closed most federal offices on December 24 and 26, 2025, according to E&E News. That order covered 2025 only, and post offices still opened that Christmas Eve. So, as of now, December 24, 2026, remains a regular workday for federal offices, but a similar last-minute order could change that.
If you are mailing gifts, the bigger question is timing rather than holiday closures. Our Christmas shipping deadlines guide lists the last safe dates for USPS, UPS and FedEx.
What’s open on New Year’s Day 2027?
Far more stays open on New Year’s Day than on Christmas: on January 1, 2026, Walmart, Target, Kroger, CVS and Walgreens all opened, while Costco, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s and Aldi closed. New Year’s Day 2027 falls on Friday, January 1, a federal holiday, so post offices and banks will close.
The OPM, Federal Reserve and NYSE calendars all list January 1, 2027, as a holiday. Retail hours, however, remain unannounced. Here is what Fortune reported for New Year’s Day 2026.
| Store or service | New Year’s Day 2026 status | New Year’s Day 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Target | Regular hours | Not announced yet |
| Best Buy | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Kohl’s | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Home Depot | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Publix | Closed early at 7 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Not announced yet |
| Kroger, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Safeway | Open; some modified hours | Not announced yet |
| CVS and Walgreens | Open; pharmacy hours varied | Not announced yet |
| Costco and Sam’s Club | Closed | Not announced yet |
| Trader Joe’s and Aldi | Closed | Not announced yet |
| USPS | Closed; Priority Mail Express only | Closed (federal holiday) |
| Banks and NYSE | Closed | Closed (Fed and NYSE holiday) |
Meanwhile, New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2026, is not a federal holiday, so banks and post offices keep regular hours. Many stores close early that evening, though, so check before you shop for party supplies. For ideas, see our New Year’s Eve party ideas.
How to find stores open on Christmas near you
The fastest way to find stores open on Christmas near you is the store’s own locator, which shows holiday hours for each location once the company loads them, usually in early to mid-December. Then confirm by phone, because franchise and mall locations often set their own hours.
- Check the store locator first. Most big chains, including Costco and Starbucks, show holiday hours per location on their apps or websites once they load them.
- Look at Google Maps, then verify. Map listings can lag behind a store’s real holiday schedule, so treat them as a prompt to call, not as confirmation.
- Search for 24-hour locations. For medicine, fuel or baby supplies, 24-hour Walgreens, CVS and convenience stores give you the best odds.
- Order pickup for Christmas Eve. Schedule a morning pickup slot on December 24 so you skip the last-minute lines.
- Plan a backup. If your usual supermarket closes, a Safeway, Albertsons or Giant Food location may open with reduced hours.
Our verdict
Plan as if almost nothing opens on Friday, December 25, 2026. Walmart, Target, Costco and nearly every supermarket closed on Christmas 2025, and none has signaled a change. So finish shopping on Christmas Eve, ideally before mid-afternoon, since most stores close between 5 and 8 p.m.
If you do need something on the day, CVS, 24-hour Walgreens, convenience stores and a few Safeway or Albertsons locations remain the realistic stores open on Christmas, while Waffle House, IHOP, Denny’s and many Starbucks cover breakfast and coffee. Finally, remember that USPS, banks and the stock market close on Christmas Day; we will update this page as chains confirm 2026 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Walmart open on Christmas Day 2026?
Walmart has not announced its Christmas 2026 hours yet. However, Walmart closed its US stores on Christmas Day 2025, so expect the same on Friday, December 25, 2026, unless Walmart announces a change. On Christmas Eve 2025, Walmart stores closed at 6 p.m. local time. Check your store’s page on Walmart.com in December.
What time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve?
Walmart closed at 6 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve 2025, and that is the best guide until the company confirms 2026 hours. Christmas Eve 2026 falls on Thursday, December 24. Because Walmart also closes all day on Christmas, plan your last grocery or gift run for Thursday afternoon and check the store locator for your location’s exact hours.
Is CVS open on Christmas?
Yes, CVS kept stores open on Christmas Day 2025, although hours varied by location and pharmacy counters often kept shorter hours than the front store. CVS has not posted 2026 hours yet. Walgreens opened only select 24-hour stores on Christmas 2025. Use each chain’s app to find a 24-hour location and call the pharmacy before you go.
Is Starbucks open on Christmas?
Many Starbucks cafes opened on Christmas Day 2025, but hours varied and some locations stayed closed. Starbucks has not announced 2026 holiday hours. The most reliable check is the store locator in the Starbucks app, which shows each cafe’s holiday hours. Cafes inside grocery stores, malls or airports usually follow the hours of the building around them.
Is the post office open on Christmas Eve 2026?
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026, does not appear on the USPS 2026 holiday list, and post offices opened and delivered mail on Christmas Eve 2025, so expect regular service, possibly with shorter retail hours. Post offices close on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, with no regular mail delivery. Check your local post office hours on usps.com.
What restaurants are open on Christmas Day?
On Christmas Day 2025, Waffle House, IHOP, Denny’s, Fogo de Chao, Benihana, Red Lobster and Ruth’s Chris opened, along with many Starbucks, McDonald’s and Dunkin’ locations. Chick-fil-A, Olive Garden, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, Panera and Taco Bell closed. No chain has announced 2026 hours yet, and franchise owners set their own schedules, so call ahead.
