What Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving dinner is sorted, but you forgot the cranberry sauce or the heavy cream. Before you panic, know this: plenty of stores are open on Thanksgiving 2025, though the list is narrower than a regular Tuesday.

Retailers open on Thanksgiving 2025: CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, H-E-B (limited hours), ACME, Albertsons, Big Lots, Dollar General ·
Major chains closed on Thanksgiving: Walmart, Target, Costco, Aldi, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Kohl’s ·
Gas stations typically open: Most national chains (Exxon, Shell, BP) but hours may vary ·
Thanksgiving date 2025: Thursday, November 27, 2025

Six key facts, one pattern: the biggest names in retail are split almost evenly between “closed” and “open with limits.”

The implication: if you need a pharmacy or a basic grocery item, CVS and Whole Foods have you covered. But don’t expect a full mega-shopping trip — the big boxes are dark.

Do shops close on Thanksgiving?

Yes, most major retail chains close on Thanksgiving, but the picture is more nuanced than a blanket “everything shuts down.”

Major retailers that close

• Walmart — closed since 2020 (TODAY)
• Target — closed (TODAY)
• Costco — always closed (TODAY)
• Home Depot — closed (TODAY)
• Lowe’s — closed (TODAY)
• Kohl’s — closed (TODAY)
• Aldi — closed (TODAY)
• Trader Joe’s — closed (TODAY)
• Best Buy — closed (TODAY)

Major retailers that stay open

• CVS — most locations open (Yahoo Lifestyle)
• Walgreens — 24-hour locations only (LiveNOW from FOX)
• Whole Foods — limited hours, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. typical (ABC News)
• Kroger — modified hours (Yahoo Lifestyle)
• Meijer — 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (LiveNOW from FOX)
• Food Lion — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (People)
• Wegmans — until 4 p.m. (People)
• Sprouts — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (LiveNOW from FOX)
• Dollar Tree — 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (LiveNOW from FOX)
• Big Lots — hours vary (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. or midnight) (LiveNOW from FOX)
• Bass Pro Shops — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (TODAY)

Gas stations and convenience stores

• Most national chains (Exxon, Shell, BP) open but hours may be reduced (TODAY)
• 7-Eleven and similar chains typically open
• Check local stations for holiday-specific hours

The pattern: about half of major drugstores are open, while nearly every big-box general retailer is closed. If you need hardware or clothes, you’re out of luck — but gas and snacks are fine.

Is everything closed on Thanksgiving in the US?

No. While many stores close, pharmacies, some grocery chains, and a handful of other retailers do stay open. The federal government and most banks are off, but private businesses are not required to close.

Grocery stores open vs. closed

• Open: Whole Foods (limited), Kroger (modified), Food Lion, Wegmans, Meijer, Sprouts, Hannaford (until 3 p.m.), The Fresh Market (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Harris Teeter (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) (Taste of Home)
• Closed: Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe’s

Drugstores and pharmacies

• CVS open, most locations (Yahoo Lifestyle)
• Walgreens mostly closed except 24-hour sites (LiveNOW from FOX)

Restaurants and fast food

• Many chains (McDonald’s, Starbucks) may operate reduced hours; check local listings
• Some Chinese restaurants, diners, and fast-food franchises stay open
• Government offices, banks, post offices closed (TODAY)

The pattern: you can get a prescription filled or a basic meal, but don’t expect full government services or a Costco-sized run.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2025?

No. Walmart is closed on Thanksgiving 2025, continuing a policy it started in 2020 (TODAY).

Walmart closed on Thanksgiving since 2020

• First time Walmart closed on Thanksgiving was 2020 (TODAY)
• Company cited desire to give employees time off
• Walmart stores open again on Black Friday (November 28)

What about Black Friday?

• Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and others reopen for Black Friday sales on November 28
• Many stores open early (5 a.m. or earlier) (TODAY)

Why was Walmart closed on Thanksgiving?

• Reduced demand for in-store shopping on Thanksgiving
• Employee pressure for a holiday off
• Permanent shift in policy since 2020 (TODAY)

What this means: Walmart’s closure is now permanent policy. If you need a last-minute turkey or gift, you’re better off at a grocery store or drugstore.

Is anything open in New York on Thanksgiving?

Yes, but options are limited. New York City sees major closures on Thanksgiving, but bodegas, some pharmacies, and small markets stay open.

Stores open in NYC on Thanksgiving

• CVS and Walgreens (24-hour locations) open (Yahoo Lifestyle)
• Bodegas and small independent markets typically open
• Most chain retailers closed in Manhattan

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade impact

• Parade route runs through Central Park West and Sixth Avenue
• Road closures affect store access near the parade route
• Crowds cause congestion; many stores near route close early

Public transit and parking

• Subway and bus run on a holiday schedule (TODAY)
• Parking meters may not be enforced in some areas
• Expect delays near parade route

The Trade-off: NYC on Thanksgiving is a mix of chaos and convenience. Pharmacies are your best bet, but forget about big-box stores in the city.

Is Thanksgiving a holiday in Ireland?

No. Thanksgiving is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland (TODAY). Irish Americans celebrate it, but in Ireland it’s a normal working day.

Thanksgiving not an Irish public holiday

• No official recognition in Ireland
• Schools, businesses operate as usual
• Some Irish-American communities hold private dinners

SuperValu and Dunnes open on bank holidays

• SuperValu stores open on bank holidays but hours may vary
• Dunnes Stores typically open on bank holidays with reduced hours
• Thanksgiving is not a bank holiday in Ireland

Irish American Thanksgiving celebrations

• Irish Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in the US
• In Ireland, November 27 is a regular Thursday
• No special store hours or closures

The implication: if you’re in Ireland on Thanksgiving, everything is business as usual. No special shopping restrictions or deals.

What stores are open on Thanksgiving eve?

Most grocery stores are open regular hours on Wednesday, November 26, though many close earlier than usual (6 to 8 p.m.).

Grocery stores on Thanksgiving eve

• Most chains operate regular hours until early evening
• Some close at 6-8 p.m. (TODAY)
• Expect heavy crowds and long lines

Last-minute shopping tips

• Go early in the morning to avoid crowds
• Check store-specific websites for holiday hours
• Buy non-perishables earlier in the week

Hours on the day before Thanksgiving

• Walmart: open regular hours Wednesday (TODAY)
• Target: open regular hours Wednesday
• Most stores close by 9 p.m.

Why this matters: the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year for groceries. Plan your trip early or risk sold-out shelves.

What liquor stores are open on Thanksgiving?

This depends entirely on your state. Many states ban alcohol sales on Thanksgiving, while others leave it to individual store discretion.

State-by-state liquor store laws on Thanksgiving

• Some states (e.g., Texas) allow liquor store sales on Thanksgiving
• Others (e.g., Pennsylvania, Utah) close all state-run stores
• Independent stores may open where legally permitted

Independent vs. chain stores

• Chain liquor stores (like Total Wine) typically close
• Independent stores may stay open if they choose
• Gas stations and grocery stores may sell beer/wine if open

Beer and wine availability

• Grocery stores that sell wine/beer may close earlier
• CVS and Walgreens may carry limited beer/wine selection
• Check local laws before heading out

The catch: without knowing your state’s laws, you could drive to a closed store. Call ahead or check your state’s alcohol control board website.

Timeline: Thanksgiving store hours 2025

The pattern: the trend since 2020 is clear — big-box retailers are staying closed on Thanksgiving, and that’s not changing.

Clarity section: confirmed vs unclear

“What’s open on Thanksgiving? Here’s what to know about store hours for Thanksgiving 2025”

— CBS News report 2025

“24 Stores Open and Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2025”

— Good Housekeeping 2025

“What stores are open, closed on Thanksgiving 2025?”

— ABC7NY 2025

The bottom line: don’t assume anything. Check your local store’s website or call ahead. The pattern across the US is clear — drugstores and select grocers are your safety net.

Frequently asked questions

For a last-minute Thanksgiving shopper in 2025, the choice is clear: plan your trip to CVS or Whole Foods before 1 p.m., or drive to a 24-hour Walgreens. Forget about Walmart, Target, or Home Depot — they’re off the table. And if you’re in Ireland, it’s just a normal Thursday.