Most major retailers will close their doors on Thanksgiving 2025, but you still have options for last-minute shopping. While big names like Walmart, Target, and Costco stay closed, many grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores remain open with modified hours. Most grocery chains close early, typically between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., so plan your shopping accordingly. State laws in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island restrict most store openings, so expect closures in those states regardless of national policies.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025. If you forgot the cranberry sauce or need extra ingredients for your feast, knowing which stores stay open can save your celebration. This guide breaks down exactly where you can shop and when.
Which Grocery Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving
Your best bet for Thanksgiving shopping is grocery stores. Many chains keep locations open, though most operate on reduced schedules.
H-E-B opens from 6 a.m. to noon with curbside pickup available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and home delivery from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central Market follows a similar pattern, opening 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the same curbside and delivery windows.
Whole Foods stores open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., except in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, where they close completely. Kroger keeps most locations open until 5 p.m., though times vary by store. Meijer operates from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Food Lion closes at 3 p.m. in most regions, with select Virginia markets staying open until 4 p.m. Giant Eagle and Market District both close at 3 p.m. Harris Teeter wraps up at 2 p.m., while Giant Food stays open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wegmans closes at 4 p.m., except for five Massachusetts locations (Northborough, Chestnut Hill, Burlington, Westwood, and Medford) that close at midnight on November 26.
Stop & Shop in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York operates from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Massachusetts and Rhode Island locations close entirely due to state regulations.
The Kroger family of stores (including Dillons, Fry’s, King Soopers, Pick ‘n Save, Ralphs, and Smith’s) stays open with varying hours. Most close early, so verify your local store hours before heading out.
Albertsons and its affiliated brands (ACME, Jewel-Osco, Safeway, Tom Thumb, and Vons) operate with modified schedules. Pharmacies may close or run on adjusted hours.
Pharmacies Available on Turkey Day
Need a prescription or health essentials? Your options are limited but available.
CVS Pharmacy keeps many locations open, though hours vary by store. Some operate on reduced schedules, so call ahead or check online before visiting.
Walgreens closes most stores but keeps 24-hour pharmacy locations open for emergency needs. Regular stores and pharmacies remain closed for the holiday.
Most grocery store pharmacies close on Thanksgiving. Giant Food operates select pharmacies from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with two 24-hour locations (Bethesda and Catonsville) closing at 4 p.m.
Convenience Stores for Last-Minute Needs
Running out for milk or forgotten ingredients? Convenience stores offer your most reliable option.
Most gas station convenience stores maintain normal hours on Thanksgiving. 7-Eleven keeps the majority of locations open 24/7, with some operating on adjusted schedules.
Wawa, Sheetz, Casey’s, Cumberland Farms, and Turkey Hill all operate during regular business hours. Circle K, RaceTrac, Love’s Travel Stops, and Pilot Flying J stay open 24 hours.
Regional chains like Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, and Quik Stop maintain their usual schedules.
Retail Stores Welcoming Shoppers
Few traditional retailers open on Thanksgiving, but some outdoor and discount chains keep doors open.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s both operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. These stores give outdoors enthusiasts access to gear and supplies during the holiday.
Dollar General stays open, though hours vary by location. Check your local store for specific times. Dollar Tree operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Big Lots opens from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at most locations, but times vary. Verify before visiting.
Select Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta stores are open on Thanksgiving. The majority close, so contact your local store to confirm availability.
Major Retailers Closed All Day
Don’t waste a trip to these stores. They close completely on Thanksgiving.
Walmart and Target both close all locations. This marks Target’s permanent policy to keep doors shut on Thanksgiving. Both reopen at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.
Costco and Sam’s Club close for the holiday. Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s also remain closed.
Kohl’s stays closed on Thanksgiving, reopening at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Macy’s closes for Thanksgiving but opens from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.
IKEA, Michaels, Petco, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense all close on November 27.
Aldi and Trader Joe’s shut down for Thanksgiving, along with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
State Restrictions You Need to Know
Three states enforce strict blue laws that prohibit most retail operations on Thanksgiving.
Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island require stores to close regardless of national chain policies. Even retailers listed as “open” in this guide will likely close in these states.
County and municipal laws in other areas may impose additional restrictions. Some regions mandate earlier closing times or prohibit certain types of retail sales.
Always verify your local store’s status before heading out. State and local regulations trump corporate policies.
Black Friday Opening Times
Most closed retailers reopen early Friday for Black Friday shopping.
Walmart and Target both open at 6 a.m. local time. Best Buy operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Macy’s runs extended hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., though times vary by location.
Kohl’s opens as early as 5 a.m., with most stores following this schedule. JCPenney starts at 5 a.m. as well.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both open at 6 a.m., though specific closing times depend on location. Costco starts at 9 a.m., and Sam’s Club maintains regular hours.
Dick’s Sporting Goods operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but warns that hours may vary by store.
Stock markets follow abbreviated schedules. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq close at 1 p.m. Eastern on Black Friday.
Services Closed on Thanksgiving
Government offices, post offices, courts, and most schools close on Thanksgiving. Only Priority Mail Express receives delivery on November 27. Regular mail service resumes on Friday.
FedEx and UPS suspend standard pickup and delivery services. FedEx Custom Critical operates for specialized shipments. Both services resume normal operations on Friday.
Banks close for the holiday, but ATMs remain accessible. Online banking continues without interruption.
National parks and monuments close, though some hiking trails stay open. Check specific locations before visiting.
Smart Shopping Tips for Thanksgiving
Call ahead before leaving home. Store hours vary significantly by location, even within the same chain. Use store locators online or phone local branches to verify opening times.
Shop early if stores are open. Most grocery chains close by mid-afternoon, giving you a narrow window for purchases. Arrive when doors open to avoid crowds and ensure product availability.
Make a detailed list before shopping. Last-minute trips feel hectic. Knowing exactly what you need saves time and reduces stress during holiday prep.
Consider online shopping as an alternative. Many retailers run Black Friday sales online throughout Thanksgiving Day. You can browse deals from home without fighting crowds or worrying about store hours.
Stock up the day before. Wednesday remains the busiest grocery shopping day before Thanksgiving. Despite crowds, you’ll have a better selection and more time to shop compared to Thursday’s limited hours.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving 2025 shopping requires planning. Most major retailers close completely, prioritizing employee time with family over sales. Your best options remain grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores, all operating on reduced schedules.
State laws in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island restrict nearly all retail activity. Even national chains listed as open will close in these states.
Verify hours before leaving home. Location-specific schedules vary widely, even within the same retail chain. A quick phone call or online check prevents wasted trips during holiday preparations.
FAQs
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2025?
No, all Walmart locations close on Thanksgiving Day. Most stores reopen at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday for holiday shopping.
What grocery stores stay open on Thanksgiving?
Kroger, H-E-B, Whole Foods, Meijer, and Albertsons chains operate with reduced hours. Most close between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. State restrictions may force closures in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Are pharmacies open on Thanksgiving?
CVS keeps many locations open with possible reduced hours. Walgreens operates only 24-hour pharmacy locations. Most grocery store pharmacies close for the holiday.
What time does Target open on Black Friday?
Target opens at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday, November 28, 2025. The retailer closes completely on Thanksgiving Day.
Can I shop at convenience stores on Thanksgiving?
Yes, most convenience stores maintain normal hours. Chains like 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz, and Casey’s stay open throughout the holiday.