The streets will be quieter than a typical Thursday, but if you forgot the gravy or ran out of batteries, you still have options. Most big retailers and grocery chains shut their doors on Dec. 25, 2025 — but a handful of pharmacies, convenience stores and restaurants stay open, often with reduced or location-specific hours. Call ahead or check online before you go.

Big-box and department stores

If you were hoping to wander a mall between slices of pie: plan B. Major national retailers are closed for the holiday. That includes Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club and most department-store chains. Wholesale clubs and big hardware chains confirmed closures across their national footprints for Dec. 25.

Pharmacies and convenience stores (your best bet for last-minute essentials)

  • CVS and Walgreens: Both chains are open on Christmas Day, though pharmacy hours and services vary by location — some pharmacies may have reduced staff or holiday schedules. Call your local store or check the chain’s online locator.
  • 7-Eleven and Sheetz: Most locations operate 24/7, including the holiday, but a minority of independently owned stores may alter hours.
  • Dollar stores and some regional drugstores (Rite Aid, Dollar General) are largely closed.

    • Grocery stores

    Most major grocers — including Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Publix, Wegmans and Meijer — are closed on Christmas Day. A limited number of Albertsons- and Safeway-branded locations may remain open with adjusted hours; check your local store before you head out.

    Restaurants and fast food: lots of choices, but hours vary

    If you don’t want to cook, you’ll likely find somewhere to eat. Many fast-food outlets and casual chains keep at least some locations open on Dec. 25, often with shorter hours or skeleton crews. Expect variation by store franchise and geography.

    Commonly open (varies by location): McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Starbucks (select locations), Domino’s (franchises set hours), Wendy’s, Burger King, Subway, IHOP, Applebee’s.

    Always-open exceptions: Waffle House famously keeps all of its locations open on the holiday. Some regional and specialty restaurants — buffet-style or destination dining (for example certain Brazilian steakhouses and hotel restaurants) — will also operate with set holiday hours and reservation requirements.

    Closed on Christmas: Chains that typically take the holiday off include Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell (many locations), Chipotle, Panera Bread and a number of sit-down steakhouse chains.

    If you’re in Michigan or another state with specific local openings, some restaurants and hotels list holiday menus and reservations online — and local news sites often compile region-specific lists.

    Shipping, mail, banks and markets

  • U.S. Postal Service: post offices are closed and there is no mail delivery on Christmas Day.
  • UPS and FedEx: pickup and delivery services are suspended for the holiday (UPS Express Critical and FedEx Custom Critical remain available for emergency shipments).
  • Banks: Branches are closed; online banking remains available.
  • Stock market: U.S. markets do not trade on Dec. 25.

    • Practical tips before you leave the house

  • Call first. Even when a brand says a chain is “open,” many locations set special holiday hours. A quick phone call saves a wasted trip.
  • Use mapping and store-locator tools to confirm hours; new AI features in mapping apps can make that faster — handy when you’re deciding whether to run out or wait until Dec. 26. Learn more about AI in navigation in our piece on Google Maps getting a Gemini copilot.
  • If you’re thinking about returns or post-holiday shopping, some retailers drop big sales immediately after the holiday. For example, laptop and gadget deals often deepen during the post-Christmas window — see our coverage of MacBook Air deals. If you’re tempted by a new laptop for the new year, the MacBook is often among items discounted — you can check current MacBook prices on Amazon if you want to compare later.

Holiday schedules are mostly uniform this year: large retailers and banks close, pharmacies and convenience stores provide emergency access, and plenty of restaurants remain an option — provided you verify local hours. Whether you’re rescuing a forgotten ingredient or skipping the kitchen entirely, a quick call or map check will point you to the nearest open door.

ChristmasHolidaysRetailRestaurantsPharmacies

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