What Is Open on Christmas Day 2025?

Most major retailers and grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day 2025, but select pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants remain open. If you're asking what is open on Christmas Day, the answer depends heavily on location, store type, and local regulations. While national chains like Walmart, Target, and Costco typically close on December 25, some independently operated or regionally managed locations—such as certain CVS or Walgreens pharmacies in high-traffic areas—may offer limited service. Always verify your local store's holiday hours online or by phone before traveling.

Quick Overview: Are Stores Open on Christmas Day?

In general, Christmas Day is one of the most widely observed retail closures across the United States. The vast majority of big-box retailers, department stores, and supermarkets shut down completely on December 25. This includes nationwide chains such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sam’s Club. Even many grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix close their doors on this federal holiday.

However, not all businesses follow this pattern. Essential-service providers—including hospitals, emergency services, public transportation, and utility companies—operate year-round. In the retail and food sectors, a small subset of businesses stays open due to consumer demand for last-minute essentials, travel-related needs, or medical supplies.

The rule of thumb: if a business serves urgent or time-sensitive needs (like fuel, prescriptions, or meals for travelers), it has a higher chance of being open on Christmas Day. But even among these categories, operations are often reduced to skeleton crews and shortened hours.

Typical Holiday Operating Policies by Chain Type

Big-Box Retailers and Department Stores

National chains such as Walmart, Target, and Costco have consistent holiday closure policies. All three are closed on Christmas Day every year, with no exceptions for company-owned or franchise locations. These decisions are driven by corporate policy, employee welfare considerations, and historical precedent. Employees are usually given paid time off, and stores use the day for restocking and maintenance.

While these stores close on Christmas, they often operate with reduced hours on Christmas Eve (December 24). For example, Walmart and Target typically close early at 6 PM or 8 PM on the 24th, allowing employees to return home for celebrations.

Grocery Stores

Most traditional grocery chains—including Kroger, Albertsons, Giant, and H-E-B—close on Christmas Day. However, there are notable regional differences. Some independently owned supermarkets in urban centers or tourist destinations may choose to stay open with limited staff. For instance, certain H-E-B locations in Texas have remained open during past holidays due to local demand, though this is not guaranteed annually.

Customers should never assume any grocery store will be open on Christmas without checking directly with the location.

Pharmacies and Drugstores

Pharmacies represent one of the few retail segments where partial openings occur on Christmas. Chains like Cvs and Walgreens do not have uniform national policies. Instead, individual store managers decide based on foot traffic, staffing availability, and community need.

Typically, only a fraction of CVS and Walgreens locations—often those inside hospitals, airports, or 24-hour supermarkets—remain open on Christmas Day. These sites usually operate with reduced hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM) and carry limited inventory. It’s critical to call ahead or use the pharmacy’s website to confirm status.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

Gas stations affiliated with major brands like Shell, ExxonMobil, or Circle K frequently remain open on Christmas Day. Since many serve highway travelers and delivery drivers, maintaining operations is both practical and profitable. Convenience stores attached to gas pumps often stay open 24/7, especially in rural or high-traffic corridors.

These locations typically sell snacks, drinks, basic toiletries, and over-the-counter medications. Some also offer lottery tickets and car care items. While product selection may be limited, they fill an important gap when larger retailers are closed.

Restaurants and Fast Food Chains

Dining options vary significantly. Most full-service restaurants—especially chains like Olive Garden, Applebee’s, or Chili’s—close on Christmas Day. However, several fast food and quick-service brands continue operating:

McDonald’s: Many locations are open, though hours vary
Taco Bell: Select drive-thru and delivery locations remain open
Subway: Franchise-dependent; some operate with limited menus
Domino’s and Pizza Hut: Offer delivery and carryout
Starbucks: Limited locations open, primarily in airports or busy urban zones

Due to the franchise model, restaurant openings depend on individual owner decisions. There is no centralized mandate, so patrons must check locally.

Why Do Some Locations Stay Open While Others Close?

The variation in holiday operations stems from several structural and regulatory factors:

Local Laws and Blue Laws

Some U.S. states and counties enforce “blue laws” that restrict commercial activity on Sundays and major holidays. Though largely relaxed today, these rules still influence holiday operations in places like Bergen County, New Jersey, or parts of Texas and Pennsylvania. In such regions, even gas stations or pharmacies may be required to close or limit sales on Christmas Day.

Franchise vs. Corporate Ownership

Franchised businesses—common in fast food, convenience stores, and fitness centers—allow individual owners discretion over holiday hours. A Subway franchisee in a tourist town might see value in staying open, while another in a residential suburb may close entirely. This leads to inconsistency within the same brand.

Location Type: Mall vs. Standalone

Stores located inside shopping malls almost always adhere to mall-wide operating schedules. Since most malls are closed on Christmas, anchor tenants like JCPenney or Sears cannot open independently. Conversely, standalone stores—such as a free-standing Walmart Supercenter or a neighborhood pharmacy—have more flexibility to set their own hours, provided staffing and logistics allow.

Urban vs. Rural Demand

Cities with dense populations, international travelers, or 24-hour economies (e.g., New York City, Las Vegas, Miami) are more likely to have open businesses on Christmas. In contrast, small towns and rural communities typically observe the holiday fully, with nearly all commerce paused.

Holiday-Specific Factors Affecting Christmas Day Operations

Christmas Day stands out among U.S. holidays for its near-total shutdown of non-essential retail. Unlike Thanksgiving (where some stores open late night) or July 4th (widely celebrated with fireworks and shopping), Christmas carries strong cultural and religious significance, leading to widespread workforce expectations for time off.

Employers recognize that keeping workers on the job on December 25 can harm morale and retention. As a result, even companies that operate on other holidays respect Christmas as a family-centered day.

That said, the days immediately before and after Christmas see heavy retail activity:

Christmas Eve (December 24): Most stores are open with shortened hours; peak shopping occurs in the morning and early afternoon.
Boxing Day (December 26): Often called “the biggest shopping day of the year” unofficially, many retailers reopen with deep post-holiday discounts. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and others typically resume normal or extended hours.

This contrast highlights how Christmas Day functions as a true pause in consumer culture, followed by a rapid rebound in spending.

Practical Tips for Planning Around Christmas Closures

If you need food, medicine, or supplies on Christmas Day 2025, here’s how to prepare effectively:

1. Plan Ahead

Assume everything is closed unless confirmed otherwise. Stock up on groceries, prescriptions, pet food, and household essentials by December 23. Avoid last-minute trips on the 24th, as stores become crowded and shelves may run low.

2. Know Your Alternatives

If you forget something or face an emergency, consider these alternatives:

Use grocery delivery apps like Instacart or Shipt—they partner with select stores that may deliver even if physical locations are closed.
Visit hospital-based pharmacies, which are more likely to stay open.
Check truck stops (e.g., Pilot, Love’s) or airport terminals for food and fuel.
Order takeout via DoorDash or Uber Eats from restaurants offering holiday service.

3. Verify Hours Using Reliable Sources

To find out what is open on Christmas Day 2025 in your area:

Visit the official website of the store or chain.
Navigate to the “Store Locator” tool.
Enter your ZIP code or city.
Look for holiday hours announcements or click on a specific location to view its calendar.
Call the store directly using the phone number listed online.
Check Google Maps—search the business name, then view “Hours” for posted holiday changes.

Note: Holiday hours are usually posted 1–2 weeks in advance. Don’t rely on last year’s schedule, as policies can change.

Business Type	Typically Open on Christmas?	Notes
Walmart	No	Closes early Christmas Eve
Target	No	Closes early Christmas Eve
Costco	No	All warehouses closed
CVS Pharmacy	Some	Limited locations, reduced hours
Walgreens	Some	Hospital/airport sites more likely open
Circle K	Yes	Many 24-hour locations
McDonald’s	Some	Varies by franchise
Pizza Hut	Some	Delivery available
Kroger	No	Most locations closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Walmart open on Christmas Day 2025?

No, Walmart is closed on Christmas Day 2025. All U.S. stores and warehouses shut down on December 25. They typically close early on Christmas Eve.

Are pharmacies open on Christmas Day?

Some CVS and Walgreens locations are open on Christmas Day, particularly those in hospitals, airports, or densely populated areas. However, most are closed. Always call ahead or check the store’s website for confirmation.

Can I get food delivered on Christmas Day?

Yes, food delivery is often available through DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or directly from chains like Domino’s or Taco Bell. Many restaurants limit service, so options may be reduced.

Do gas stations stay open on Christmas?

Yes, most gas stations—including Shell, Exxon, and Circle K—remain open on Christmas Day, especially those along highways or in 24-hour convenience formats.

Will USPS deliver mail on Christmas Day 2025?

No, the United States Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Christmas Day. It is a federal holiday, so post offices are closed and no residential or business deliveries occur.