What is open on christmas day? Stores, Restaurants & Services

For Christmas Day 2025, most major retail and grocery chains – including Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods—are closed. However, you are not out of luck if you need last-minute essentials. Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid typically remain open (though pharmacy hours vary), serving as the best option for forgotten batteries, milk, or gifts. Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Wawa, and Cumberland Farms are also reliably open. If you are looking to eat out, Denny’s, IHOP, and Waffle House operate 24/7, while many Starbucks, Dunkin’, and McDonald’s locations are open but with reduced hours determined by local franchise owners.

Why Christmas Day Hours Are Different

Christmas Day is one of the few holidays when many businesses close entirely to give employees time off. However, life doesn’t stop—people travel, emergencies happen, and meals still need to be served. That’s why essential and hospitality-focused services usually operate, while non-essential retail typically shuts down.

Understanding this balance helps you plan smarter and avoid last-minute stress.

The Christmas Day Panic: We’ve All Been There

It is 10:00 AM on December 25th. The tree is lit, the wrapping paper is flying, and suddenly, realization hits you like a snowball to the face: you forgot the batteries for the remote-controlled car. Or maybe you burned the roast. Or perhaps you just really, really need a caffeine fix to survive the in-laws.

While Christmas Day is traditionally the one day a year when commerce grinds to a halt, the modern world doesn’t stop completely. Whether you are dealing with a minor emergency or just looking to escape the house, here is your comprehensive guide to what is actually open on Christmas Day 2025.

The “Don’t Bother Driving There” List (Closed Stores)

Before we get to what is open, let’s save you a wasted trip. The following major retailers have confirmed they are closed for Christmas Day 2025 to allow their employees time with families. Do not rely on these stores today:

• Big Box Retailers: Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Best Buy.
• Department Stores: Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Marshalls, TJ Maxx.
• Home Improvement: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware (most locations).
• Major Grocery Chains: Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, ALDI, Wegmans, H-E-B, Meijer.

Pro Tip: If you see lights on at a Target or Walmart, it is likely just the overnight cleaning or stocking crew. The doors are locked!

The Real MVPs: Drugstores & Pharmacies

When the big box stores shut down, the drugstore chains step up. In 2025, these stores are essentially acting as mini-department stores, stocking everything from last-minute toys and gift cards to milk, eggs, and wine.

• Walgreens / Duane Reade: Most locations are open. Stores that normally operate 24/7 will likely remain 24/7. Non-24-hour stores often run reduced hours (e.g., 9 AM – 5 PM).
  • Note: The pharmacy counter itself may be closed or have very limited hours, even if the front of the store is open.
• CVS Pharmacy: Many locations are open, typically with reduced hours (e.g., 8 AM – 9 PM). Locations inside Target stores are closed.
• Rite Aid: Most locations are open for business, though hours vary significantly by region.

What you can buy here: Batteries, phone chargers, snacks, beverages, ice, basic groceries (milk/bread), and last-minute stocking stuffers.

Convenience Stores & Gas Stations

If you are on the road or just need fuel—for your car or your stomach—convenience stores are your safest bet.

• 7-Eleven: The gold standard of holiday availability. Most 7-Eleven stores are open 24/7 on Christmas Day.
• Wawa: A lifesaver for those on the East Coast. Most Wawa locations remain open 24/7, offering their full menu of hoagies and coffee.
• Sheetz: Open 24/7 at most locations.
• Cumberland Farms: Generally open, often from 7 AM to midnight or 24/7 depending on the location.
• Casey’s General Store: mostly open, though some may open late (around 10 AM).
• Circle K / Speedway: Most locations are open.

Restaurants: Where to Eat on Christmas

Cooking isn’t for everyone, and sometimes the turkey is still frozen. The restaurant landscape on Christmas is split into two categories: the “Always Open” diners and the “Franchise Roulette” fast food chains.

The “Always Open” (Reliable Bets)

These chains are famous for keeping the lights on 365 days a year.

• Denny’s: Open 24/7. Expect it to be busy; Christmas is one of their busiest days of the year.
• IHOP: Most locations remain open, though hours may vary (e.g., closing at 2 PM or staying open 24/7).
• Waffle House: An icon of availability. If Waffle House is closed, you are likely in a natural disaster. Open 24/7.
• Huddle House: Generally open.

The “Call First” (Fast Food & Coffee)

For chains like McDonald’s or Starbucks, corporate headquarters usually allows individual franchise owners to decide their holiday hours.

• McDonald’s: Varies heavily. Corporate locations might be closed, while high-traffic franchise locations might be open. Use the app to check.
• Starbucks: Many locations open early (around 7 AM) and close early (around 2 or 3 PM). Standalone stores are more likely to be open than those inside closed malls or Targets.
• Dunkin’: Many locations are open, but often with reduced hours.
• Burger King / Taco Bell / Wendy’s: Most are closed, but a few locations near highways or airports may be open.

Fine Dining & Sit-Down

• Fogo de Chão: Open and usually offers a special holiday menu.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Open (reservations highly recommended).
• McCormick & Schmick’s: Open.
• Local Chinese & Indian Restaurants: A classic Christmas tradition! Many independent Asian restaurants remain open on Christmas Day. Check your local listings.

Entertainment & Services

Once the presents are open, cabin fever can set in. Here is what you can do outside the house.

• Movie Theaters: Christmas Day is a massive day for Hollywood. AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse are all open. In fact, many major blockbusters are released specifically on December 25th.
• Urgent Care: Illness doesn’t take a holiday. While your primary care doctor is closed, many Urgent Care centers (like CityMD or Concentra) have locations open with reduced hours. Always check online first.
• Public Transit: Buses and trains usually run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This means less frequent service, so plan your travel accordingly.

3 Tips for a Smooth Christmas Run

1. Trust the App, Not the Sign: Do not rely on the hours printed on the store’s door. Use the official mobile app (Walgreens, Starbucks, McDonald’s) or Google Maps. If the app allows you to place a “mobile order,” the store is definitely open.
2. Call Ahead: For restaurants, a quick 30-second phone call can save you a 20-minute drive. “Are you open?” is the most common question they get today—they won’t mind.
3. Check Independent Markets: If you need a specific ingredient (like cilantro or fresh chilies) and the big stores are closed, check local ethnic grocery stores. Many independent Asian, Latino, or Middle Eastern markets maintain regular hours on December 25th.

How to Check What’s Open Near You

Because hours vary by location, use these quick methods:

1. Google Maps holiday hours
2. Business social media pages
3. Official company websites
4. Direct phone calls

Searching “open now on Christmas Day near me” often gives real-time results.

Conclusion

While the world certainly slows down on Christmas Day 2025, it doesn’t stop. Whether you are craving a Waffle House hashbrown, need emergency cough medicine from Walgreens, or just want to catch a movie, you have options. Just remember to be patient and kind to the employees working today—they are the reason you can get that gallon of milk in a pinch!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Christmas Day Openings

Here are the answers to the 6 most common questions users search for when panic sets in on December 25th.

1. Will Amazon, USPS, UPS, or FedEx deliver packages on Christmas Day?

Generally, no. Christmas Day is a federal holiday, meaning the United States Postal Service (USPS) is closed and will not deliver regular mail or packages. UPS and FedEx also observe the holiday and suspend standard pickup and delivery services.

• The Exception: Amazon sometimes provides “Same-Day Delivery” for very specific items in select metropolitan areas, and FedEx Custom Critical® (for expensive/emergency shipments) may be active, but do not count on a standard Prime package arriving today.

2. Can I buy alcohol on Christmas Day?

It depends on where you live. Even if a drugstore or convenience store is open, state laws dictate whether they can sell you alcohol.

• Strict States: In states like Massachusetts, Texas, and Colorado, liquor stores are often required by law to close, and grocery stores may be prohibited from selling alcohol on Christmas.
• Relaxed States: In states like California, Arizona, and Illinois, alcohol sales usually follow standard store hours. Always check your local state laws before making the beer run!

3. Are banks and the Stock Market open?

No. Christmas Day is a standard Federal Reserve bank holiday. This means all physical bank branches (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) are closed, and the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are inactive.

• Pro Tip: ATMs and online banking apps will still function for transfers and withdrawals, though check deposits won’t process until the next business day (December 26th).

4. Can I go to the mall to return a gift I didn’t like?

No. Almost every major shopping mall and department store in the United States (including Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Simon Malls) is closed on Christmas Day.

• Wait for the 26th: The day after Christmas is often called “National Returns Day.” Stores will reopen early on December 26th, usually fully staffed to handle exchanges and returns.

5. Do I have to pay for parking meters on Christmas?

Usually, no. In most U.S. cities, parking meters are suspended on major holidays, meaning street parking is free. However, this varies by municipality.

• Warning: Read the signs carefully! “No Parking” zones, fire hydrants, and tow-away zones are still enforced 24/7. Private parking garages will also still charge their standard rates.

6. Is trash and recycling pickup delayed?

Yes, in most areas. Because Christmas is a major holiday for sanitation workers, trash pickup scheduled for December 25th is typically pushed to the following day. This often causes a “slide” for the rest of the week (e.g., Wednesday pickup happens Thursday, Thursday happens Friday). Check your local municipality’s website to be sure.