Is Costco Open on Memorial Day 2025?

Yes, Costco is typically closed on Memorial Day, including in 2025. If you're asking 'is Costco open today on Memorial Day,' the answer is most likely no. This federal holiday follows a consistent annual pattern where nearly all Costco warehouses across the United States remain shuttered to honor military personnel who have died in service. While this closure is standard nationwide, it's always wise to confirm with your specific location, as rare exceptions may exist due to regional policies or unique circumstances. For shoppers planning ahead, understanding Costco’s broader holiday operating schedule can help avoid unnecessary trips and support better long-term planning around major U.S. holidays like Memorial Day.

Quick Summary: Is Costco Open on Memorial Day?

In short, no, Costco is not open on Memorial Day. The vast majority of its warehouses in the U.S. are closed on this federal holiday each year. This includes all regular retail operations, gas stations, pharmacies, and food courts. Unlike some retailers that operate with reduced hours or limited services, Costco fully suspends operations at almost every location on Memorial Day. This policy has been consistently applied for many years, making it one of the more predictable holiday closures in the retail calendar. However, because individual warehouse decisions can sometimes be influenced by local regulations or ownership structures, members should still verify their local store’s status before visiting.

Costco’s General Holiday Operating Policy

Costco Wholesale Corporation maintains a well-defined holiday schedule that applies uniformly across most of its U.S. locations. The company observes several key holidays each year during which warehouses are closed. These include:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (warehouses open)
Presidents' Day (warehouses open)
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day (warehouses open)
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Of these, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas result in full closures. New Year’s Day also sees most warehouses closed, though select locations may open later in the day depending on local demand and staffing. It's important to note that while Costco corporate sets national guidelines, there is room for variation based on local conditions. Most Costco warehouses are company-owned rather than franchised, which helps maintain consistency in holiday operations compared to other chains with franchise models.

Why Some Stores Might Differ

Although Costco does not franchise its warehouses in the U.S., minor deviations from the standard holiday schedule can occur. Factors influencing whether a particular warehouse opens or closes include:

State or municipal laws: Certain jurisdictions restrict retail activity on specific holidays, reinforcing Costco’s decision to close. In others, especially rural areas or states with fewer restrictions, management might consider opening—but this is extremely rare for Memorial Day.
Location type: Warehouses located within larger shopping centers may coordinate hours with anchor tenants, though Costco generally operates independently.
Local demand: High-traffic urban warehouses near tourist destinations or military bases may occasionally adjust schedules, but no such changes have been recorded for Memorial Day in recent history.
Staffing and operational logistics: Closing on major holidays allows employees time off with family, aligns with supply chain slowdowns, and reduces overhead costs on low-sales days.

Despite these variables, the overwhelming norm is closure on Memorial Day. Members should treat any potential opening as an outlier, not the rule.

Understanding Memorial Day and Retail Operations

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. Over time, it evolved into a federal holiday marked by remembrance ceremonies, parades, and family gatherings. While it unofficially signals the start of summer for many Americans, it differs significantly from commercialized holidays like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Retailers recognize this solemn significance, leading many—including Costco—to close entirely.

How Other Holidays Compare

To contextualize Memorial Day closures, consider how Costco handles other major holidays:

Holiday	Typical Costco Operation	Notes
New Year's Day	Closed (some open afternoon)	Limited openings in high-demand areas
Memorial Day	Closed	All U.S. warehouses typically shut down
Independence Day	Closed	Rare exceptions; usually full closure
Labor Day	Open	Regular business hours
Thanksgiving	Closed	Reopens Friday morning for Black Friday sales
Christmas Day	Closed	No operations anywhere in the U.S.
Day Before Holiday (e.g., Dec 24)	Shortened hours	Early closings common

As shown, Memorial Day falls into the category of complete shutdowns—similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Unlike Labor Day or Presidents’ Day, when Costco remains open with normal hours, Memorial Day is treated as a day of observance and employee rest. There is no evidence of Costco ever conducting special promotions or early access events on Memorial Day itself, further reinforcing its non-commercial stance.

Pre- and Post-Holiday Shopping Trends

In the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend, Costco often experiences increased foot traffic as members stock up for cookouts, vacations, and outdoor activities. Many warehouses implement temporary staffing boosts and extended weekday hours to accommodate demand. Conversely, the Tuesday and Wednesday following Memorial Day usually return to standard operating hours without promotional pushes. This pattern underscores that while the holiday itself is non-operational, the surrounding week plays a significant role in seasonal retail flow.

Planning Your Visit Around Memorial Day

If you need to shop at Costco around Memorial Day, strategic planning is essential. Since the warehouse will almost certainly be closed on the holiday Monday, here are practical steps to ensure you don’t miss out:

Best Times to Shop Before Memorial Day

Previous Thursday or Friday: Ideal for purchasing perishables like meat, produce, and bakery items for weekend use.
Saturday morning: Less crowded than Sunday; good for bulk dry goods and grilling supplies.
Sunday midday: Popular for last-minute buyers, so expect heavier crowds.

Avoid peak times between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday if possible.

What to Do If You Miss the Window

If you forget to shop before Memorial Day, options are limited but not nonexistent:

Visit a competitor: Walmart, Target, or grocery stores may be open with regular holiday hours.
Use online alternatives: Amazon, Instacart, or grocery delivery services can fill urgent needs.
Wait until Tuesday: All Costco warehouses reopen on Tuesday with normal business hours (typically 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for general membership).

Can You Order Online on Memorial Day?

Yes. While physical warehouses are closed, Costco’s e-commerce platform remains active on Memorial Day. Members can place orders for home delivery through costco.com for eligible products such as electronics, furniture, apparel, and select groceries. Same-day delivery via Instacart is unavailable on the holiday, but scheduled deliveries resuming Tuesday are unaffected. Pharmacy prescriptions cannot be filled in-store but may be ordered online in advance for pickup after the holiday.

How to Confirm Your Local Costco’s Hours

To avoid confusion, follow this step-by-step process to verify your warehouse’s Memorial Day status:

Visit the official Costco website: Go to costco.com.
Click “Warehouse Locator”: Enter your ZIP code or city/state.
Select your nearest warehouse: Click on the location pin or name.
Check holiday hours: Scroll down to “Holiday Hours” section below regular operating times.
Call the warehouse directly: Use the listed phone number to speak with a manager if online info is unclear.
Download the Costco app: Real-time updates and push notifications about closures are available through the mobile application.

Note: Holiday hours are usually posted 2–4 weeks in advance. Policies can change annually, so even if your warehouse was closed last year, double-check current information. Google Maps listings often reflect user-reported data and may lag behind official announcements—always cross-reference with Costco’s site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costco open on Memorial Day 2025?

No, Costco is not open on Memorial Day 2025. All U.S. warehouses are expected to be closed, continuing the long-standing tradition of honoring the holiday with a full shutdown.

Are Costco gas stations open on Memorial Day?

No. Like the main warehouse, Costco gas stations are closed on Memorial Day. Fuel services resume when the warehouse reopens on Tuesday.

Does Costco deliver on Memorial Day?

Yes, online orders placed before or on Memorial Day will continue processing according to standard shipping timelines. However, same-day delivery options like Instacart are suspended for the holiday.

Will Costco be busy the day before Memorial Day?

Yes, Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day are among the busiest shopping days of late spring. Expect longer lines, packed parking lots, and fast-moving inventory on grilling items, beverages, and seasonal goods.

What time does Costco open after Memorial Day?

Costco warehouses reopen on Tuesday following Memorial Day at regular business hours, typically 10:00 a.m. for general members and 9:30 a.m. for executive members, closing at 8:30 p.m.