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As Christmas Day 2025 approaches, many Americans may find themselves needing last-minute essentials or a place to dine out. While most major retail stores and grocery chains observe holiday closures, several key establishments across various sectors will remain open. This comprehensive guide details operating hours for convenience and drugstores, restaurants, fast-food chains, and even critical services like the post office and stock market, helping consumers plan their holiday activities efficiently and avoid unexpected closures.
Walmart, a retail giant for groceries and general merchandise, will observe a full closure on Christmas Day. For those planning post-holiday shopping, stores will reopen on December 26, operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, given potential regional variations in store policies, customers are strongly advised to confirm specific operating hours for their local Walmart location using the retailer's online store locator before making a trip.
For immediate household essentials, over-the-counter medications, or pharmacy needs, several convenience and drugstores will be accessible on Christmas Day. Prominently, CVS and Walgreens locations are expected to be open, though their specific store and pharmacy hours might vary significantly by region. Additionally, many 7-Eleven stores, known for their widespread presence, will maintain their standard 24/7 operating schedule, ensuring accessibility throughout the holiday. Sheetz, another convenience store chain, also plans to operate with its regular 24/7 hours. Conversely, Dollar General and Rite Aid are confirmed to be closed for the holiday.
The vast majority of major grocery store chains across the nation will be closed on Christmas Day, necessitating careful advance planning for holiday meal preparations. This extensive list of closures includes popular stores such as Aldi, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, and Wegmans. However, there are notable exceptions: certain Albertsons and Safeway locations will remain open, but they are expected to operate with adjusted, typically reduced, hours. Patrons needing grocery items on Christmas Day are highly encouraged to use the online store locators for these specific chains to verify local opening and closing times.
For those preferring to dine out or grab a quick bite rather than cook on Christmas Day, numerous restaurants and fast-food establishments will be open. Patrons can expect to find Applebee's and IHOP serving meals. Many Dunkin' locations will also be operating, providing coffee and baked goods. McDonald's, a ubiquitous fast-food option, will have many of its franchises open to customers. Starbucks, while generally a popular choice, will have some locations closed and others operating with limited hours, so checking ahead is crucial. Domino's has stated that individual franchises determine their Christmas Day hours, advising customers to consult their website for local details. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell are among the chains that will be closed for the holiday.
Most large superstores and department stores, typically major destinations for holiday shopping, will be closed on Christmas Day. This comprehensive list of closures includes prominent retailers such as Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, HomeGoods, IKEA, JCPenney, Kohl's, Lowe's, Petco, Macy's, Marshalls, Michael's, Sam's Club, Sierra, Target, and T.J. Maxx. Shoppers planning any last-minute gift purchases or post-holiday returns should adjust their schedules accordingly, as these retail giants will not be accessible for business on December 25th.
All United States Postal Service (USPS) post office locations nationwide will be closed on Christmas Day. Consequently, there will be no regular mail delivery or collection services on December 25th. Normal postal operations, including mail delivery and post office services, are scheduled to fully resume the following day, December 26.
UPS will largely suspend its services on Christmas Day. There will be no standard pick-up or delivery services available. The only exception for urgent shipments will be Express Critical deliveries, which will still operate. All other UPS services will resume on December 26.
In observance of the holiday, the stock market will be closed on Christmas Day. This means there will be no trading activity on major exchanges. Trading operations are set to resume the next business day, December 26, allowing investors to resume their activities.