What Stores Are Open on Christmas Day 2026? A Complete List

What Is Open on Christmas Day 2026 at a Glance

These hours are based on last year’s schedules and on what each brand usually does. Stores can change their plans, and franchise locations set their own hours. Please call your local store before you go.

What Stores Are Open on Christmas Day?

I always keep a small list taped inside my kitchen cabinet for this exact reason. Every year, someone forgets the butter, the batteries, or a gift bag. The good news is that a few stores stay open for these emergencies. Pharmacies and convenience stores lead the list. A few small grocery stores and some Safeway locations may also open with short hours. Use the list below as a starting point, then check the store’s website or call.

Pharmacies and Convenience Stores

• 7-Eleven: Most stores stay open 24/7. A few locations have different hours.

• Walgreens: Most stores are open on Christmas Day. Pharmacy hours can be shorter, and 24 hour stores stay open.

• CVS: Select stores are open with reduced hours. The CVS counter inside a Target store is closed.

• Safeway: Many stores close, but some open with limited hours.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores Open on Christmas Day

Gas stations are your best backup when you need snacks, drinks, or ice. Chains such as Circle K, Wawa, QuickChek, and Speedway often keep many stores open. Hours vary by owner and by state, so use the store finder on each brand’s website. A gas station will not have a full holiday dinner. It can, however, save you when you need milk, cream, or a lighter.

Is Walmart open on Christmas Day?

No. Walmart is closed on Christmas Day, and that includes Walmart Pharmacy. Stores reopen early the next morning, on December 26. This is one of the most common questions I see every year, and the answer has stayed the same for a long time. Target also closes and reopens the next day. If you need to pick up an online order, plan to do it on Christmas Eve or after the holiday.

What Grocery Stores Are Open on Christmas Day?

Most major US grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day. Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Costco all close their doors. Food Lion and many other regional chains follow the same pattern. A few small local markets and independent grocers may open for a short time. These are different in every town, so call first.

The best move is to shop early. Aim for December 23 or the morning of December 24. Lines are long and shelves run thin by the afternoon of Christmas Eve. If you forget something, a convenience store or a 24 hour pharmacy is your fallback.

Is Publix Open on Christmas Day?

No. Publix is closed on Christmas Day. It usually closes early on Christmas Eve too, so do your big shop a day or two before. Hours on Christmas Eve vary by store. Kroger works the same way. It stays closed on December 25 and returns to regular hours on December 26.

What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Day?

Dining out on Christmas Day is possible, but you must plan. Diners and breakfast spots are your easiest options. Many sit down chains and steakhouses also serve holiday meals, and those often need a reservation. Fast food chains vary by location.

• Denny’s: Keeps its 24/7 hours at most locations, with holiday items on the menu.

• IHOP: Most locations are open, often with a breakfast focus. Hours can be shorter.

• Waffle House: Open 24/7, every day of the year.

• Applebee’s: Open with its regular menu at many locations.

• Outback Steakhouse: Open with a holiday set menu, and reservations are a good idea.

• Benihana, Fogo de Chão, and Morton’s: Open at many locations with reservations recommended or required.

• BRIO Italian Grille and Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Open on Christmas Day with set hours, usually through the early evening.

• Hooters: Open at most locations, usually later in the day.

If you want a nice dinner, book a table now. Popular spots fill up weeks in advance.

Is Cracker Barrel Open on Christmas Day?

No. Cracker Barrel is closed on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, it closes early, at about 2 p.m. It reopens on December 26. If you love their country cooking, plan your visit for the day before or the day after.

Is Bob Evans open on Christmas Day?

Bob Evans is open for much of Christmas Eve. It also offers a holiday farmhouse feast that you must order ahead of time. I could not confirm regular dine-in hours for Christmas Day, so call your local Bob Evans before you plan a meal there. Preordered holiday meals are often the easiest choice, since you pick up dinner and serve it at home.

Fast Food Open on Christmas Day

Fast food is hit or miss because many restaurants are owned by local franchise owners. Here is what I found to be the most common pattern.

• McDonald’s: Many locations are open, especially near highways and busy roads. Some close in the early afternoon.

• Starbucks: Select stores are open, mostly in the morning. Stores inside hotels or grocery stores are more likely to be open.

• Dunkin’: Many stores open with a shorter morning schedule.

• Domino’s: Some stores deliver, while others close. Call first.

• Burger King and Wendy’s: Many locations are open, and hours vary.

• Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and Taco Bell: Typically closed or limited, so do not count on them.

Use the “open now” filter in your maps app to find stores near you. It shows the hours posted by each location.

What Stores and restaurants are open on Christmas Day near you?

Searching “stores open on Christmas Day near me” works best with a quick, careful method. Open your maps app and search for the type of place you need. Look for the holiday hours note under the name. If you do not see one, call the store. A short phone call can save you a long drive.

Also check the brand’s website, since many chains post holiday hours in late November or early December. Franchise stores may differ from the posted corporate hours, so a call is the safest step.

tores Open on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the real shopping day. Most big stores stay open but close earlier than usual. Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, and Publix are usually open for part of the day. Closing times often land in the early evening, and sometimes sooner.

Here are my Christmas Eve shopping rules:

• Go in the morning, when shelves are full and aisles are calm.

• Make a short list before you leave the house.

• Pick up any online orders as early as you can.

• Skip the afternoon rush when you can.

Fast Food Open on Christmas Eve

Most fast food chains stay open on Christmas Eve with shorter hours. Many close in the early evening. Chains like Chick-fil-A usually stay open for part of the day and close earlier than normal. Sit down chains may also close early so staff can be home for the holiday. Check each store before you plan a family meal.

Things to Do on Christmas Day

Not everything is closed on Christmas Day. Movie theaters and some bowling alleys usually open, though hours vary. Some zoos and outdoor parks stay open too. If you prefer a calm day at home, here are a few easy ideas:

• Cook a slow family breakfast and keep dinner simple.

• Watch a holiday movie with hot cocoa.

• Take a walk after the meal to see neighborhood lights.

• Play a board game at the table.

• Call a faraway friend or relative.

How Many Weeks Until Christmas?

As of late October, Christmas Day is about nine weeks away. That is plenty of time to get ready. Use these weeks to book restaurant tables, order custom gifts, and stock your pantry. Start your list in November, and you will avoid the rush on Christmas Eve.

Sustainable Holiday Shopping With All Cotton and Linen

Since most stores are closed on Christmas Day, I like to finish my shopping early and choose items that last. Reusable pieces cut down on waste, and they look lovely at the table. Here are a few favorites from our store.

• Cotton kitchen towels help with the busy holiday cooking and cleanup.

• Christmas table linens bring a festive look to the dinner table.

• Cloth dinner napkins replace paper ones and wash easily.

• Reusable grocery bags make those early shopping runs easier.

• Checkered tablecloths give a cozy, classic feel to a holiday meal.

• White cloth napkins fit any table, and they are great for folding into trees or stars.

• Linen tablecloths are easy to wash and look neat when pressed.

Why Knowing What Is Open on Christmas Matters

One missing ingredient can stress out a whole holiday dinner. A quick plan helps you stay calm. Know which stores close, shop early, and keep a short backup list of pharmacies and convenience stores. Then you can spend December 25 with the people you love instead of on a last minute errand. Hours change from year to year, so confirm before you head out.

Key Takeaways

• Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s are closed on December 25.

• Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven stay open at many locations, with shorter hours.

• Denny’s, IHOP, and Waffle House are your best bets for a meal out.

• Cracker Barrel and Chick-fil-A are closed on Christmas Day.

• Bob Evans offers pre ordered holiday meals, so call your store.

• Shop on December 23 or the morning of December 24 to skip the rush.

• Always call or check the store’s website, since hours vary by location.

Happy Holidays!

Related Readings:

How to Fold a Napkin into a Christmas Tree
What Type of Tree is a Christmas Tree? Where to Get Them
Best Christmas Dinner Ideas for a Large Group: 15 Dishes to Delight