Ultimate Guide to Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Hours: Where to Shop on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The final days leading up to December 25th often bring a whirlwind of activity, from finishing gift lists to securing the final ingredients for a holiday feast. Despite the best-laid plans, many Americans find themselves needing a last-minute dash to the store. Navigating the retail landscape during the holidays requires precise timing, as major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco significantly alter their operating hours to allow employees to spend time with their families. Understanding which doors remain open and which are locked tight is essential for anyone facing an 11th-hour emergency, whether it is a missing toy, a forgotten gallon of milk, or a necessary prescription refill.

In 2025, the trend of retail closures on Christmas Day continues to solidify across the United States. While Christmas Eve remains a day of opportunity for late-hour shoppers, the window of time is shorter than usual. Most big-box stores and supermarkets initiate “early bird” closures, often shuttering their doors between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the verified operating hours for the nation’s largest retailers, grocery chains, and pharmacies to ensure you are not left standing in a dark parking lot this holiday season.

Preparation is the most effective tool for holiday success, but when the unexpected happens, convenience stores and select drugstores become the primary lifelines for consumers. While the majority of the retail sector goes dark on Christmas Day, a few essential services remain operational, albeit with modified schedules. From 24-hour pharmacies to select coffee shops, knowing exactly where to turn can save a holiday from a minor catastrophe. Here is the definitive look at the retail landscape for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Major Retailers and Big-Box Store Hours

For those seeking electronics, toys, or home goods at the very last second, the major big-box retailers offer the widest selection but also enforce some of the strictest holiday schedules. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, maintains a consistent policy across its thousands of locations. On Christmas Eve, Walmart stores generally open at their regular time, which is 6:00 AM for most locations, but they close promptly at 6:00 PM local time. It is important to note that Walmart remains entirely closed on Christmas Day, with stores reopening at 6:00 AM on December 26th.

Target follows a slightly more generous schedule on the 24th but follows the same total closure policy for the 25th. Most Target locations are open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Christmas Eve. This two-hour advantage over Walmart can be crucial for those finishing up gift shopping. However, like its competitor, Target will be dark on Christmas Day. All Target stores are scheduled to resume normal business hours at 7:00 AM on December 26th, which also marks the beginning of the heavy post-holiday return and clearance season.

Costco is another major player with specific holiday restrictions. The warehouse giant typically opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Because Costco requires a membership and often handles high volumes of traffic, arriving late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve is discouraged, as checkout lines can be exceptionally long. Costco is closed on Christmas Day, as it is one of the few holidays the company observes with a full shutdown of its warehouses and gas stations.

Department Stores and Apparel Retailers

If your last-minute needs involve clothing or home decor, department stores like Kohl’s, Macy’s, and JCPenney are the primary destinations. Kohl’s traditionally keeps its doors open until 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve, providing a solid window for those hunting for apparel or kitchen gadgets. Macy’s generally adheres to a similar schedule, closing most of its mall-based and flagship locations by 7:00 PM. Shoppers should be aware that mall hours may vary by region, and a Macy’s located within a shopping center may be forced to close when the mall itself shuts down.

Discount retailers under the TJX Companies umbrella—including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense—typically operate from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve. These stores are popular for stocking stuffers and gift wrap, but they are among the first to close their doors. All TJX-owned stores are closed on Christmas Day. Similarly, JCPenney usually opens at 9:00 AM on Christmas Eve, with closing times varying by location but generally falling between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Specialty retailers like Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods also participate in early closures. Best Buy locations are typically open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve, while Dick’s Sporting Goods often operates from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For DIY enthusiasts or those needing a last-minute tool or decoration, Home Depot and Lowe’s generally close at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve and remain closed all through Christmas Day. IKEA is also known for a 5:00 PM closure on the 24th.

Grocery Store Availability and Holiday Schedules

Food is at the heart of most Christmas celebrations, making grocery stores some of the busiest locations on Christmas Eve. Most traditional supermarkets will be open on December 24th, but almost all will be closed on December 25th. Kroger, which operates under numerous banners like Ralphs, Dillons, and Fred Meyer, typically closes its stores and fuel centers at 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Their pharmacies often close even earlier, usually by 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, so picking up holiday prescriptions should be a morning priority.

Publix, a staple in the Southeast, generally maintains hours from its regular opening time until 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Publix is famously closed on Christmas Day to allow its “associates” time off. Similarly, Aldi and Trader Joe’s are known for early departures on the 24th. Aldi stores typically close at 4:00 PM, while Trader Joe’s shutters all locations by 5:00 PM. These early closures are strictly enforced, and shoppers should plan to finish their grocery runs before the mid-afternoon rush.

For those who find themselves in need of groceries on Christmas Day, the options are extremely limited. A small number of Safeway and Vons locations may remain open with reduced hours, but this is highly dependent on the specific branch and local management. In most cases, if a grocery store is open on Christmas Day, it will be a 24-hour convenience-style market or a specific urban location. Always call ahead to verify before making the trip.

Key Grocery Store Hours for Christmas Eve

• Whole Foods Market: Most locations open at their regular time but close by 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve. They are closed on Christmas Day.
• H-E-B: The Texas favorite typically opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Pharmacies usually close by 5:00 PM.
• Meijer: Most Meijer stores close at 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve and remain closed through Christmas Day, reopening at 6:00 AM on the 26th.
• Stop & Shop: Northeast locations generally close by 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day.
• Giant Food: Most stores close by 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Select locations may have very limited hours on Christmas Day, but most remain closed.
• Albertsons: Stores typically close between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Like Safeway, Christmas Day hours are rare and vary by location.
• Wegmans: Most locations close their doors at 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve and do not reopen until December 26th.

Pharmacies and Health Essentials

Medical needs do not stop for the holidays, and fortunately, the major pharmacy chains are among the most reliable sources for last-minute shopping on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Walgreens is the most prominent provider of holiday service. Most Walgreens locations remain open on Christmas Day, typically from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Crucially, all 24-hour Walgreens locations remain open 24/7, including throughout Christmas Day. This makes them the primary destination for over-the-counter medications, emergency baby supplies, and even small gifts or gift cards.

CVS Pharmacy also offers significant availability on the holiday. Many CVS locations operate with normal hours on Christmas Day, though some non-24-hour sites may have reduced schedules or close entirely. It is vital to distinguish between the front retail store and the pharmacy counter. Even if the store is open, the pharmacy department may be closed or have very limited hours (such as 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM). Always use the online store locator or the mobile app to check the specific hours for the pharmacy staff before arriving with a prescription.

Rite Aid stores generally follow a more conservative approach. While many Rite Aid locations are open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours, the majority are closed on Christmas Day. This can vary in major metropolitan areas where 24-hour stores might exist, but as a general rule, shoppers should look to Walgreens or CVS first for Christmas Day needs. Independent pharmacies and those located inside closed grocery stores (like Kroger or Publix) will almost certainly be closed on December 25th.

Pro Tips for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

To make the most of your last-minute shopping trip and avoid the stress of the holiday crowds, consider these expert strategies:

• Check the App First: Most major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Walgreens update their “Store Locator” in real-time. The hours listed on Google Maps may not always reflect special holiday adjustments, so the official store app is the most reliable source of information.
• Shop the Perimeter: If you are in a rush at a grocery store, stick to the perimeter for essentials like milk, eggs, and bread. Avoid the center aisles where crowds congregate for holiday baking supplies and seasonal items.
• Use Curbside Pickup Early: Many stores offer curbside pickup on Christmas Eve, but slots fill up days in advance. If you need items on the 24th, try to place your order by the 22nd or 23rd to secure a pickup window before the service is suspended for the day.
• Pharmacy vs. Retail: Remember that a store being “open” does not mean the pharmacy is open. If you need a prescription, call the pharmacist directly to confirm their specific holiday hours, as they often differ from the general store hours.
• Prioritize Convenience Stores: For very basic needs like ice, batteries, or milk on Christmas Day, 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Wawa are almost always open 24/7. They may be more expensive, but they are the most reliable option when everything else is closed.
• Gas Up Early: While many gas stations are attached to convenience stores that stay open, some standalone stations or warehouse clubs (like Costco Gas) will be closed. Fill your tank on the 23rd or early on the 24th to avoid any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Target open on Christmas Day?

No, Target is closed on Christmas Day, December 25th. The store will close early on Christmas Eve (usually at 8:00 PM) and will reopen at its regular time on December 26th.

What time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve?

Walmart stores typically close at 6:00 PM local time on Christmas Eve. All Walmart locations are closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on December 26th at 6:00 AM.

Are any liquor stores open on Christmas?

In most states, liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day due to state laws or blue laws. Even in states where it is legal to open, most independent and chain liquor stores choose to remain closed. It is best to purchase any necessary spirits before Christmas Eve evening.

Is the post office open on Christmas Eve?

Most local U.S. Post Office locations are open on Christmas Eve, but many close their retail counters early. Mail delivery will occur as scheduled on the 24th, but there is no regular mail delivery on Christmas Day, except for Priority Mail Express in certain areas.

Can I get Starbucks on Christmas Day?

Many Starbucks locations are open on Christmas Day, but hours are determined on a store-by-store basis. Some may open late (e.g., 8:00 AM) and close early (e.g., 4:00 PM). Use the Starbucks app to check the status of your local cafe.

Are pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens open?

Yes, most Walgreens locations are open on Christmas Day, with 24-hour stores remaining open all day. Many CVS locations are also open, though their pharmacy counters may have shorter hours than the main store.

Conclusion

Successfully managing last-minute Christmas needs requires a combination of early action and a clear understanding of retail schedules. While the vast majority of big-box retailers and grocery chains—including heavyweights like Walmart, Target, and Publix—close their doors early on Christmas Eve and remain shut on Christmas Day, consumers still have several reliable fallbacks. Walgreens and CVS serve as the primary destinations for health and convenience needs on the holiday, while 24-hour convenience stores like 7-Eleven and gas stations provide a safety net for basic essentials. By finishing grocery runs before 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve and utilizing the extended hours of pharmacies for emergency items, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free holiday celebration. Always remember to verify specific local hours via official store apps or a quick phone call, as regional variations and staffing issues can occasionally lead to unexpected closures.