If you need to make a last-minute trip to the grocery store or want to get a jump on Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving, you might arrive to find the store closed.
Though Thanksgiving launches Black Friday and holiday shopping, an increasing number of stores are closing for the holiday and opening up on Friday, instead.
Whether you need a key ingredient for Thanksgiving dinner or want to start holiday shopping early, be sure to verify which stores are open on Thanksgiving before heading out.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Major grocery chains open with reduced hours
Many major grocery store chains still operate on the holiday, but with truncated hours. It’s common for stores to close early so their staff can enjoy Thanksgiving with their families, so if you need groceries, shop earlier in the day.
Large chains like Albertsons, Wegmans and Food Lion are open on Thanksgiving, but for retailers like Whole Foods, whether or not stores are open varies depending on location. To be safe, check your local store locator for information on your local store’s Thanksgiving hours.
Some retailers, like Sam’s Club and Target, have already shared that they’ll be closed on Thanksgiving Day, so you’ll need to hold off until Black Friday for any shopping.
Grocery stores that will be open on Thanksgiving:
- Albertsons
- ACME Markets
- Food Lion
- Giant Food
- Kroger: Varies by location
- Meijer
- Ralphs
- Safeway
- Starbucks: Varies by location
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods Market: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. locally, with exceptions for locations in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island
These grocery stores will be closed on Thanksgiving:
- Aldi
- BJs Wholesale
- Costco
- Publix
- Sam's Club
- Target
- Trader Joes
- Walmart
- Winn-Dixie
Where to go for fast, convenient essentials on Thanksgiving
If you forgot a key ingredient for your pie or need last-minute essentials like napkins or candles, certain retailers still have generous store hours on Thanksgiving.
Once again, some of these hours will vary by location, so check your local store’s website or give them a call before heading out.
These convenience stores will be open on Thanksgiving:
- Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- CVS: Varies by location
- Dollar General: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Family Dollar: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
These convenience stores will be closed on Thanksgiving:
- Walgreens
Big-box & department stores lean toward closed or later opening
Most big-box and department stores will be closed on Thanksgiving. That includes retail giants like Walmart and Target. Though these retailers offer major Black Friday sales, most stores won’t be opening their doors until Friday.
These big box stores will be open on Thanksgiving:
- Bass Pro Shops: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cabela’s: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
These big box stores will be closed on Thanksgiving:
- Best Buy
- CVS
- Home Depot
- IKEA
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Lowe’s
- Nordstrom
- REI
- Sephora
- Target
- Ulta
- Walmart
Check local hours and exceptions before you go
Retailer hours and Thanksgiving Day policies vary by location, so don’t assume that your local store will have the same hours that the national chain might advertise.
In some cases, “open” may mean “open for reduced hours,” and stores may open later and close earlier than normal on the holiday. In some situations, certain sections of the store, like the pharmacy or deli, may be closed. To be safe, take the time to verify the store hours before you travel.
Shopping on Thanksgiving can be tricky, so if possible, try to get everything you need ahead of time, and realize that some grocery stores may close early the night before Thanksgiving to give their staff more time to enjoy the holiday.
If you can’t wait to get started on Black Friday shopping, consider shopping online. Retailers like Walmart and Target offer competitive Black Friday sales that start online on Thanksgiving, saving you a trip to the store the next day.
Related Content
-
Should You Tap Your Home Equity Before 2026?As borrowing rates and tax law shifts converge, here's what homeowners need to know before pulling equity out of their home.
-
What Investors May Face in the New Year: InterviewKeith Lerner, the chief market strategist and chief investment officer for Truist Wealth, speaks with Kiplinger.
-
My adult child was laid off. Can we discuss it without ruining the holidays?We asked mental health and financial experts for advice.
-
Should You Tap Your Home Equity Before 2026?
As borrowing rates and tax law shifts converge, here's what homeowners need to know before pulling equity out of their home.
-
'Politics' Is a Dirty Word for Some Financial Advisers: 3 Reasons This Financial Planner Vehemently DisagreesYour financial plan should be aligned with your values and your politics. If your adviser refuses to talk about them, it's time to go elsewhere.
-
For a Move Abroad, Choosing a Fiduciary Financial Planner Who Sees Both Sides of the Border Is CriticalWorking with a cross-border financial planner is essential to integrate tax, estate and visa considerations and avoid costly, unexpected liabilities.
-
21 Money Moves Smart People Are Making Before 2026These steps can help trim your tax bill, boost your savings, lower your health care costs and set you up for financial success in 2026.
-
A Financial Adviser's Guide to Divorce Finalization: Tying Up the Loose EndsAfter signing the divorce agreement, you'll need to tackle the administrative work that will allow you to start over.
-
Uber Takes Aim at the Bottom Lines of Billboard Personal Injury LawyersUber has filed lawsuits and proposed a ballot initiative, in California, to curb settlements it claims are falsely inflated by some personal injury lawyers.
-
11 Cities With the Cheapest Groceries in the USIf you live in one of these 11 cities, you're paying less than the rest of the country to keep your fridge stocked.
-
Giving Tuesday 2025: 'Every Small Act Makes a Major Difference'GivingTuesday encourages generosity in any form, from donating to charity to helping your neighbors.
