Stores Open (and Closed) on Thanksgiving Day 2025
From grocery stores to big-box retailers, here’s where you can shop and where you’ll find doors shut on Thanksgiving.
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
-
Dow Adds 292 Points as Goldman, Nvidia Soar: Stock Market TodayTaiwan Semiconductor's strong earnings sparked a rally in tech stocks on Thursday, while Goldman Sachs' earnings boosted financials.
-
Why Public Markets Don't Look Like They Used To -
Turning 65 in 2026? Here Is Exactly How to Sign Up for MedicareWhether you’re months away from your 65th birthday or plan to work past retirement age, here are the steps to secure your Medicare coverage and avoid costly mistakes.
-
6 Financially Savvy Power Moves for Women in 2026 (Prepare to Be in Charge!)Don't let the day-to-day get in the way of long-term financial planning. Here's how to get organized — including a reminder to dream big about your future.
-
Countries That Will Pay You to Move: Cash Grants, Incentives and What to KnowExplore real relocation incentives — from cash grants and tax breaks to startup funding — that make moving abroad or to smaller towns more affordable and rewarding.
-
Mortgage Protection Insurance: What It Covers and When It Makes SenseHow mortgage protection insurance works, what it costs, and when it’s actually useful in a financial plan.
-
How to Use Your Health Savings Account in RetirementStrategic saving and investing of HSA funds during your working years can unlock the full potential of these accounts to cover healthcare costs and more in retirement.
-
Forget Job Interviews: Employers Will Find the Best Person for the Job in an Escape Room (This Former CEO Explains Why)Escape rooms can give employers a better indication of job candidates' strengths than a standard interview. Here's how your company can get on board.
-
8 Things You Need to Stop Wasting Money on in 2026Want to get your finances in shape this year? Start by cutting out these sneaky sources of waste in your budget.
-
The December CPI Report Is Out. Here's What It Means for the Fed's Next MoveThe December CPI report came in lighter than expected, but housing costs remain an overhang.
-
Billed 12 Hours for a Few Seconds of Work: How AI Is Helping Law Firms Overcharge ClientsThe ability of AI to reduce the time required for certain legal tasks is exposing the legal profession's reliance on the billable hour.
