Is Walmart Open on December 25?

No, Walmart is not open on December 25. Every year, without exception, Walmart closes all of its U.S. stores on Christmas Day as part of its long-standing holiday closure policy. This means that if you're wondering is Walmart open on December 25, the answer is a clear no. Whether you're looking to shop for last-minute gifts, pick up groceries, or need pharmacy services, it's important to plan ahead because all Walmart Supercenters, discount stores, and neighborhood markets shut down completely on this day. While most other major holidays see modified hours, Christmas remains one of the few days when every Walmart location observes a full closure.

Quick Answer: Is Walmart Open on Christmas Day?

Walmart does not operate any retail locations in the United States on December 25. This includes Walmart Supercenters, standalone Walmart stores, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, and even Walmart Gas Stations. Employees are given the day off to spend with family and observe the holiday, reflecting the company’s commitment to work-life balance during major religious and cultural observances. Unlike Thanksgiving or Black Friday—when many Walmarts remain open late or start early—Christmas Day is treated as a complete shutdown across the entire chain.

It's worth noting that while physical stores close, some digital services remain accessible. For example, Walmart.com continues to accept online orders on December 25, although fulfillment and delivery may be delayed due to warehouse closures and reduced staffing over the holiday period. Curbside pickup and in-store returns are also suspended on this day.

Walmart’s Typical Holiday Operating Policy

Walmart has a consistent pattern when it comes to holiday operations. The company observes several key holidays each year by either closing entirely or adjusting store hours significantly. Below is an overview of how Walmart typically handles major holidays:

New Year’s Day (January 1): Open with regular or slightly adjusted hours.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Open normal business hours.
Memorial Day: Open; often extended hours.
Independence Day (July 4): Open with standard or shortened hours depending on location.
Labor Day: Open normally.
Veterans Day: Open; some locations may offer special discounts.
Thanksgiving Day: Closed at most locations, though some urban or high-demand stores have opened in recent years under limited capacity.
Christmas Day (December 25): Fully closed nationwide.

The decision to close on Christmas Day has been part of Walmart’s corporate culture since its founding. Founder Sam Walton emphasized respect for employees’ personal time, especially during significant family-centered holidays. Even as the company expanded into 24-hour operations in many areas, Christmas remained sacrosanct.

Why Doesn’t Walmart Operate on December 25?

There are multiple reasons behind Walmart’s choice to remain closed on December 25:

Employee Well-being: Closing allows associates to celebrate with loved ones without work obligations.
Operational Simplicity: Managing logistics, staffing, and security on a national holiday is complex and costly.
Brand Image: The closure reinforces Walmart’s image as a family-friendly employer that values tradition.
Low Customer Demand: Most Americans stay home on Christmas, reducing foot traffic and sales potential.

This policy applies uniformly across all company-owned stores. However, franchise models do not exist within the U.S. Walmart system, so there is no variation based on individual ownership decisions.

Factors That Influence Holiday Store Hours

While Walmart maintains a centralized holiday schedule, certain factors can affect operating times around—but not on—December 25. These include:

Local Laws and Regulations

In some states and municipalities, “blue laws” restrict retail activity on Sundays or religious holidays. Though these rarely apply to Christmas Day itself (since most businesses voluntarily close), they can impact Saturday evening or Sunday morning openings. For instance, some rural counties may require earlier closures on December 24, affecting when last-minute shoppers can enter the store.

Store Type and Location

Different types of Walmart locations may follow slightly different pre-Christmas schedules:

Store Type	Dec 24 Closing Time	Dec 26 Reopening	Notes
Supercenter	6:00 PM or earlier	Normal hours	Largest selection; closes early on Christmas Eve
Neighborhood Market	7:00 PM	Normal hours	Focused on groceries; slightly later close
Discount Store	6:00 PM	Normal hours	Traditional format; early closure
Gas Station	Closed Dec 25	Early AM reopening	No fuel sales on Christmas Day

Urban stores in densely populated areas like New York City or Chicago sometimes adjust hours differently than suburban or rural locations, but none open on December 25.

Shopping Center Tenancy

Some Walmarts located inside larger shopping plazas or strip malls may coordinate their closing times with anchor tenants or mall management, particularly on December 24. However, this coordination only affects timing before the holiday—not operation on the actual day.

Holiday-Specific Considerations Around December 25

Understanding how Walmart operates in the days immediately before and after Christmas helps customers plan more effectively.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

Most Walmart stores operate on a reduced schedule on Christmas Eve. Common closing times range from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, though exact times vary by location. High-demand items such as food, batteries, wrapping paper, and last-minute toys tend to sell out quickly in the afternoon. Customers are advised to shop early in the day to avoid crowds and stock shortages.

Boxing Day (December 26)

After being closed on December 25, Walmart resumes normal operations on December 26. Many locations see heavy return and exchange traffic, especially in the first week of January. Extended customer service hours are often added during this period to accommodate gift returns, even without a receipt in many cases.

Weekends and Sundays Near the Holiday

Sunday, December 22 (if applicable) and Sunday, December 29 usually run on regular weekend hours. Some locations may extend Sunday operations during peak holiday weeks, particularly in regions with higher population density.

Practical Planning Tips for Holiday Shoppers

If you're relying on Walmart for essential supplies or last-minute needs near Christmas, here are actionable steps to ensure you’re prepared:

When Should You Shop Before Christmas?

To avoid stress and product unavailability, aim to complete your Walmart shopping by December 22 or earlier. If you must shop closer to the holiday, prioritize visits on December 23 or the morning of December 24. Afternoon and evening hours on Christmas Eve are typically the busiest.

What to Do If the Store Is Closed on December 25

Since no Walmart will be open on December 25, consider these alternatives:

Order Online Ahead of Time: Use Walmart.com or the Walmart app to schedule deliveries before December 24.
Use Grocery Pickup: Schedule curbside pickup for December 24 morning to get food and essentials without entering the store.
Check Nearby Pharmacies: If you need medication urgently, CVS, Walgreens, or local urgent care clinics may remain open on limited schedules.
Prepare Emergency Kits: Keep non-perishable food, basic medical supplies, and backup batteries at home during the holiday week.

How to Confirm Walmart’s Current Holiday Hours

Because operating times can change annually or vary slightly between locations, always verify your local store’s schedule using these methods:

Visit Walmart’s Store Directory: Go to https://www.walmart.com/store/finder.
Enter Your ZIP Code or City: Locate your nearest Walmart.
Select the Store: Click on the specific location.
View Holiday Hours: Scroll down to “Holiday Hours” or check the daily schedule tab.
Call the Store Directly: Use the phone number listed to speak with a manager about Christmas Eve closing times.
Download the Walmart App: Enable location permissions to receive real-time updates and alerts.

Note: Walmart typically publishes official holiday hours in mid-November each year. These can differ slightly from previous years, so relying on past experience is not recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is any part of Walmart open on December 25?

No. All Walmart stores, including Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and gas stations, are fully closed on December 25. No in-store services are available.

Can I place an order on Walmart.com on Christmas Day?

Yes, you can browse and place orders on Walmart.com on December 25. However, order processing, shipping, and customer support responses will be delayed until December 26 or later.

Are Walmart pharmacies open on December 25?

No. Since all Walmart locations are closed, pharmacy services—including prescription pickups and refills—are unavailable on Christmas Day.

Do Walmart employees work on December 25?

No. Walmart does not schedule any employees to work on Christmas Day. Workers receive the day off with pay, and the company does not offer holiday bonuses for working this date because no shifts are assigned.

Will Walmart be open on December 26 after Christmas?

Yes. All Walmart stores reopen on December 26 with regular business hours. Many locations experience high return volumes, so expect longer lines at customer service counters.