It’s Christmas morning — you forgot the gravy, the extra battery for a toy, or you’re suddenly craving pancakes at 10 p.m. Who’s actually open in Houston on December 25, 2025?

No dramatic surprises: most big grocers, many big-box stores and the majority of pharmacy services are closed. But the city isn’t shut down. Between 24/7 chains, a long list of restaurants serving holiday meals, and a slate of seasonal events, there are plenty of options for last-minute runs or a plan-B celebration.

Stores: closed chains and the few lifelines

Expect limited choices if you need traditional grocery shopping or home-improvement runs. Major supermarket brands — H‑E‑B, Kroger (and its banners such as Ralphs, Fry’s and King Soopers), ALDI, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sprouts and many others — are closed on Christmas Day. Large retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart (most locations closed), Home Depot and Lowe’s are also not open for the holiday.

Liquor stores are a hard stop in Texas: state law keeps package stores closed on Christmas Day, so don’t count on picking up bottles unless you planned ahead.

That said, a handful of chains and independent businesses remain available:

  • Convenience, some pharmacies and fast-food: 7‑Eleven (many locations open), select CVS and Walgreens stores (hours vary and many will run reduced schedules; 24-hour Walgreens locations generally remain open), Denny’s and Waffle House (year-round), IHOP and select Dunkin’ locations.
  • Fast-casual and national chains: Starbucks — many outlets will open but with varying, often shortened hours; check local store signage.

    • Always call your local location before heading out — holiday hours are frequently adjusted at the store level.

    Where to eat (a surprisingly long list)

    If your kitchen plans fell through, plenty of Houston restaurants are hosting brunches, buffets or normal service on Christmas Day. Options range from casual to splurge-worthy:

  • Brunch and buffets: Toro Toro (holiday brunch and dinner service), Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining, Moody Gardens Ballroom and The San Luis Resort (Galveston) all offered special Christmas Day buffets this year.
  • Reliable chains: Fogo de Chão, Denny’s, Waffle House, IHOP and many delis (Kenny & Ziggy’s) are open and dependable choices.
  • Fine dining: Vic & Anthony’s, The Palm, Morton’s and McCormick & Schmick’s typically run holiday service for those looking to dress up.

    • Local guides kept robust lists of dozens of restaurants open across Houston, Katy, Pearland, Galveston and beyond — if you’re hunting for something specific (seafood, Tex‑Mex, or a family-friendly spot), a quick phone call will confirm availability. If you’re still shopping for a last-minute tech gift, retailers and seasonal deals are still active online — the MacBook family saw significant holiday pricing this season, if you want to check options like the MacBook Air while you finalize plans. Read more on recent laptop deals and holiday pricing trends MacBook Air Deals Deepen or consider getting a MacBook directly (available on Amazon) MacBook.

    Events and things to do — for families, night owls and anyone avoiding the living-room stare-off

    Houston’s cultural calendar stays lively through the holiday weekend. If you want to get out of the house:

  • Performances and films: The Nutcracker and local productions of holiday plays (Stages’ The Twelve Dates of Christmas) were running across the weekend.
  • Outdoor and family activities: Ice skating at Discovery Green, the Holiday Train & Carousel at Hermann Park, and festive light displays (including Magical Winter Lights at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds) offered safe, family-friendly outings.
  • Nightlife and concerts: Several clubs and bars hosted holiday shows and tribute sets; local comedy clubs and venues had Christmas Day lineups for anyone looking to escape awkward family conversations.

    • If you prefer to stay in and stream a new release or fire up a game with friends, use your phone to confirm times and open locations — mapping and AI tools can quickly point you to nearby options and up‑to‑date hours. Tech improvements in mapping and AI have made it easier to find what’s open and route quickly; see how modern map assistants are getting smarter Google Maps Gets Gemini.

    Practical tips to save time and stress

  • Call first. Holiday hours change fast. A short phone call can save a long drive.
  • Know what can’t be bought: Texas rules keep liquor stores closed on Christmas; pharmacies tied to big-box stores will often be closed too.
  • If you rely on delivery: many grocery and delivery services suspend service on the holiday. Confirm any scheduled orders before leaving the house.
  • Have a backup: point yourself toward 24/7 eateries (Denny’s, Waffle House) or convenience stores (7‑Eleven) for truly late-night needs.

Christmas in Houston isn’t monastic — it’s just quieter in the usual places. If you’re improvising dinner, looking for an evening show, or need one last charger or gift, you’ll probably find something open. But if the item is essential (prescription refills, alcohol, specialty groceries), plan for the day before next year.

Happy holidays — and may your gravy be lump-free.

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