Are Target and Walmart Open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, both Target and Walmart are typically closed on Thanksgiving Day, making it one of the few major retail holidays when neither chain operates regular in-store shopping. This longstanding policy allows employees to spend time with family during the holiday, aligning with broader U.S. retail traditions. If you're asking is Target or Walmart open on Thanksgiving, the answer for most years—including 2025—is no. However, both retailers often open early on Black Friday, sometimes as late evening on Thanksgiving itself, depending on the location and year. Always verify your local store’s specific schedule online before planning a trip.

Quick Summary: Are Target and Walmart Open on Thanksgiving?

In short, neither Target nor Walmart is open on Thanksgiving Day for regular in-store shopping across the vast majority of their U.S. locations. Both companies have maintained this closure policy consistently over the past decade, reinforcing their commitment to employee well-being during major holidays. While stores remain closed throughout Thanksgiving Thursday, many begin opening late on Thanksgiving night—technically Black Friday—for early holiday shopping events. These adjusted hours apply especially to larger supercenters and high-traffic urban outlets, but not all locations follow identical timing.

Why Most Stores Close on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most family-centered holidays in the United States, and major retailers like Target and Walmart recognize its cultural significance. Closing on Thanksgiving allows thousands of hourly workers and managers to celebrate with loved ones without work obligations. Over the years, public sentiment has increasingly favored businesses that give employees time off on Thanksgiving, leading even competitive chains to step back from 24-hour holiday openings seen more commonly in the early 2010s.

Typical Holiday Operating Policies at Target and Walmart

Understanding each retailer’s general holiday schedule helps clarify why they close on Thanksgiving and how they operate around other key dates.

Target’s Holiday Schedule Overview

Target Corporation follows a consistent holiday closure pattern:

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Open with reduced hours: Easter Sunday, July 4th, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day (select locations)
Regular hours: New Year’s Eve (until early evening), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day

Target typically reopens late Thanksgiving night at select stores for Black Friday sales, starting around 6 PM or 8 PM. Not all locations participate in these early openings, so checking individual store pages is essential.

Walmart’s Holiday Operating Pattern

Walmart, being the largest U.S. retailer by revenue and workforce, maintains a slightly different but equally predictable holiday model:

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Limited or modified hours: New Year’s Day (opens later), Independence Day (varies by region)
Early Black Friday openings: Many Walmart Supercenters open between 6 PM and midnight on Thanksgiving evening
Fuel stations and pharmacies: May remain open with limited staffing on Thanksgiving in some areas

Like Target, Walmart uses the post-Thanksgiving evening window to launch Black Friday deals, drawing large crowds. However, standard in-store retail operations cease entirely on Thanksgiving morning and afternoon.

Reasons Store Hours May Vary by Location

While corporate policy dictates nationwide closures on Thanksgiving, several factors can influence whether a particular store opens earlier than others or offers partial services:

Local Laws and Ordinances

Some states and municipalities enforce "blue laws" that restrict retail operations on certain holidays. Though these rarely affect Thanksgiving (since most stores close voluntarily), they can impact surrounding days like Sunday or Christmas. More importantly, local regulations may govern fuel station access or pharmacy operations within Walmart or Target premises.

Store Type and Location Differences

Not all Target or Walmart locations are created equal. Consider these distinctions:

Store Type	Thanksgiving Status	Notes
Urban Supercenter (Walmart)	Closed until evening	Often opens at 6 PM for Black Friday
Rural Target Store	Fully closed all day	May not reopen until Friday morning
Target in Shopping Mall	Closed	Mall-operated hours don’t override Target policy
Walmart Neighborhood Market	Closed	Smaller format; full holiday closure
Pharmacy inside Walmart	Potentially limited hours	Call ahead for prescription needs

Franchise vs. Corporate Ownership

Unlike some international retail brands, both Target and Walmart operate exclusively under corporate ownership in the U.S.—there are no franchises. Therefore, operational decisions come directly from headquarters, ensuring greater consistency in holiday closures compared to franchised models where individual owners might choose differently.

Regional and Urban-Rural Divide

High-demand urban centers—such as those in New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago—are more likely to see Walmart Supercenters reopen earlier on Thanksgiving night due to customer demand and security staffing availability. In contrast, smaller towns may keep stores fully closed until Black Friday morning. Similarly, some 24-hour Walmart locations revert to temporary closures just for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Holiday-Specific Factors Affecting Store Operations

Thanksgiving sits at the start of the busiest shopping season in the U.S., which influences how retailers structure their schedules before, during, and after the holiday.

Pre-Thanksgiving Rush

The week leading up to Thanksgiving sees peak foot traffic at both Target and Walmart. Shoppers stock up on groceries, cooking essentials, decorations, and last-minute host gifts. Stores often extend hours Monday through Wednesday before the holiday (e.g., staying open until 10 PM). Thursday morning before closing is usually the busiest single shift for grocery departments.

Thanksgiving Day Itself

As previously stated, both chains shut down normal operations on Thanksgiving. No in-store shopping is available for general merchandise or food items. Online platforms remain active, though delivery windows may be delayed.

Black Friday Timing and Early Openings

Many customers confuse “Black Friday” with a Friday-only event, but both Target and Walmart now treat it as a multi-day occasion. Starting in the mid-2010s, both retailers began opening on Thanksgiving evening:

Walmart: Select supercenters open between 6 PM and midnight on Thanksgiving
Target: Limited number of stores open at 6 PM or 8 PM; majority open Friday at 5 AM or 6 AM

These early openings allow shoppers to access doorbuster deals without waiting until Friday morning. However, only designated high-volume locations offer this option.

Post-Holiday Weekend Schedules

After Thanksgiving, both chains operate extended hours through the weekend:

Friday: Most stores open early (5–7 AM) and stay open until 10 PM or later
Saturday & Sunday: Normal or slightly extended hours
Christmas Eve: Shortened hours (often closing by 6 or 8 PM)
Christmas Day: Fully closed

Practical Planning Tips for Holiday Shoppers

If you’re wondering whether you can shop at Target or Walmart on Thanksgiving, here’s what you should do to plan effectively.

When Should You Shop Before Thanksgiving?

To avoid long lines and sold-out items, aim to complete your essential shopping by Tuesday or early Wednesday before Thanksgiving. By Thursday morning, popular products like turkeys, stuffing mixes, pumpkin pies, and cooking spray are often depleted. Grocery pickup and delivery slots also fill up quickly.

What If You Need Something on Thanksgiving?

If you realize you’re missing an ingredient or household item on Thanksgiving Day, consider these alternatives:

Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Circle K, or gas station marts often remain open
Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid may carry basic groceries and medicines
Grocery delivery apps: Instacart partners with some local markets that may deliver on holidays
Restaurants: Many offer Thanksgiving takeout meals or emergency snack options

How to Check Real-Time Store Hours

Since policies vary annually and locally, always confirm your nearest store’s status using official tools:

Visit target.com or walmart.com
Click “Find a Store” or use the store locator tool
Enter your ZIP code or city
Select the specific location
View holiday hours under “Today’s Hours” or “Holiday Schedule”
Check for any special announcements about Black Friday openings

You can also call the store directly or use Google Maps—search the store name, then view “Hours” with updates posted during holiday seasons.

Use Mobile Apps for Fast Updates

Download the Target App or Walmart App to receive push notifications about holiday changes, flash sales, and reopening times. The apps also let you place online orders for curbside pickup once stores resume operations.

Remember: Policies Change Annually

Corporate holiday strategies evolve. For example, Walmart opened on Thanksgiving in the early 2000s but stopped in response to employee feedback. In 2025, there’s no indication either company will reverse course. Still, future years could bring adjustments based on consumer behavior, labor trends, or economic conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Target open on Thanksgiving Day?

No, Target is closed on Thanksgiving Day at all locations. Some stores reopen in the evening for Black Friday, but no regular shopping is available on Thanksgiving.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2025?

No, Walmart stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day in 2025. However, many supercenters will open between 6 PM and midnight on Thanksgiving night for early Black Friday shopping.

Can I shop online at Target or Walmart on Thanksgiving?

Yes, both websites remain fully operational on Thanksgiving. You can browse deals, place orders, and schedule deliveries or pickups starting the next day.

Do Walmart or Target pharmacies stay open on Thanksgiving?

Most in-store pharmacies at both chains are closed on Thanksgiving. A few Walmart locations may offer limited prescription pickup or urgent care services, but patients should call ahead to confirm.

Will Target and Walmart be open on Black Friday?

Yes, both retailers are open on Black Friday. Many Walmart stores open Thursday night, while most Target locations open early Friday morning (around 5–6 AM).