What Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving 2026?

What stores are open on Thanksgiving? Most big-box retailers are closed. Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot, and Kroger usually stay dark. Open stores are mostly drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, a few grocery chains such as Safeway and Whole Foods, and many fast food and coffee spots. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. Hours change by location, so check your local store before you drive. Here is the thing. Thanksgiving is the one day retail mostly shuts down. Years ago, stores opened at dinnertime for early Black Friday deals. That faded fast. Now workers get the day off, and shoppers plan around it.

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By All Cotton and Linen Nov 13, 20250 comments

Stores Open on Thanksgiving

You still need things! Maybe you forgot butter. Maybe the oven died. Maybe you are traveling and just need coffee. This guide covers what is open, what is closed, and what to expect store by store. Hours here reflect typical past patterns. Chains usually confirm final hours closer to the holiday.

Pharmacies, a few grocery stores, convenience stores, and fast food chains are your best bets. General retail and home improvement stores are almost always closed.

Quick Glance

Store Type	Open on Thanksgiving?	What to Expect
Big-box retail (Walmart, Target)	Closed	Closed all day
Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club)	Closed	Closed all day
Home improvement (Home Depot, Lowe's)	Closed	Closed all day
Dollar stores (Dollar General)	Closed	Closed in most areas
Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens)	Mostly open	Reduced hours, varies by location
Grocery (Safeway, Whole Foods)	Some open	Early close, often by mid-afternoon
Grocery (Kroger, Publix, Meijer)	Closed	Closed all day
Coffee (Starbucks, Dunkin')	Mostly open	Limited hours, varies by franchise
Fast food	Many open	Depends on owner
Convenience stores and gas stations	Open	Often normal hours

Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving

A handful of grocery stores open for a few hours. Most close early or stay shut. Grocery stores know you will forget something. A few open for a short window. Call ahead, because hours change from one town to the next. Most open stores close by early afternoon.

Safeway: Many locations open with shortened hours, often closing in the afternoon.
Sprouts Farmers Market: Some locations open for part of the day.
Vons and Jewel-Osco: Often open in the morning, then close early.
Local and regional grocers: Some family-owned stores open for a few hours.
Closed: Kroger, Publix, Meijer, Aldi, Trader Joe's, and Costco usually stay closed.

ACME

If you're near an ACME, you’ll be able to shop for essentials between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Some locations may have varying hours, so it's best to double-check your nearest store.

Albertsons

Albertsons will have several of their stores open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., so you can make a quick run for those forgotten ingredients before heading back to your preparations.

Kroger

Kroger operates with reduced hours on Thanksgiving, typically opening their doors in the early morning and closing earlier than usual. Expect most stores to be open, but it’s a good idea to confirm before heading out.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods is another grocery chain offering Thanksgiving Day shopping, but their hours may vary by location. Expect most stores to open with modified hours, so it’s always a good idea to check the details for your area.

Clothing Stores Open on Thanksgiving

Most clothing stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day, including Macy’s, Kohl’s, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Nordstrom. Brick-and-mortar fashion retailers close so staff can be home with family, then reopen on Black Friday, November 27. Online stores are the exception. They never close, and that is where your Thanksgiving clothes shopping happens.

All Cotton and Linen is one of those stores. You can browse our full collection of breathable cotton clothing any time on Thanksgiving, from your couch, with no lines and no doorbusters. We make shirts, dresses, pants, and loungewear from natural fabrics that stay soft, light, and easy to wear. They are great for holiday dinners, travel, and cozy days at home. Orders placed online are processed on our regular schedule, so you can shop on Thursday and be ready for Black Friday sales. Check our site for current offers and shipping timelines.

Retail and Clothing Stores Open on Thanksgiving

What Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

Many family-style chains and diners are open. Cracker Barrel, Denny's, and Golden Corral are common picks. Many offer a full holiday menu.

Don't want to cook? You have options. Some restaurants serve a special turkey dinner. Others run normal menus. Reservations fill up early, so book weeks ahead. Hours often run from late morning to early evening.

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

Restaurant	Typical Status	Notes
Cracker Barrel	Open	Full holiday menu, plus heat-and-serve meals
Denny's	Open	Many locations open, often 24 hours
Waffle House	Open	Rarely closes
IHOP	Mostly open	Varies by location
Golden Corral	Open	Holiday buffet
Bob Evans	Open	Holiday meals and to-go options
Boston Market	Open	Reduced hours, takeout focus
The Cheesecake Factory	Open	Special menu at many locations
Red Lobster	Often open	Check your local restaurant
Outback Steakhouse	Often open	Hours vary
Olive Garden	Usually closed	Check locally
Texas Roadhouse	Usually closed	Check locally

What Fast Food Is Open on Thanksgiving?

Quick answer: Many fast food chains open, but not all. Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, and KFC are commonly open. Chick-fil-A and Chipotle usually close.

Fast food is the easy fallback. Most chains are franchises. That means each owner decides. One McDonald's might be open while the next town's is closed. Drive-thru hours are often shorter than usual.

Fast Food Open on Thanksgiving

Chain	Typical Status	Notes
McDonald's	Mostly open	Hours vary by franchise
Burger King	Mostly open	Check the app
Wendy's	Mostly open	Hours vary
Taco Bell	Mostly open	Often open late
KFC	Mostly open	Varies by location
Subway	Mixed	Owner decides
Popeyes	Mixed	Check locally
Sonic Drive-In	Mostly open	Hours vary
Domino's	Mostly open	Limited delivery in some areas
Pizza Hut	Mixed	Depends on location
Starbucks	Mostly open	Reduced hours
Dunkin'	Mostly open	Varies by franchise
Chick-fil-A	Closed	Closed on Thanksgiving
Chipotle	Usually closed	Check locally

Liquor Stores Open on Thanksgiving

In some states, liquor stores remain open on Thanksgiving, allowing you to stock up on beverages for your celebration. States like California, Florida, and New York tend to have more flexible liquor laws, so you may be able to grab a bottle of wine or a special holiday cocktail ingredient. Make sure to check the specific regulations for your state as they vary.

Thanksgiving Meals to Go

Don't want to cook the whole meal? Many places sell complete dinners. Boston Market, Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, and Whole Foods sell heat-and-serve or ready-to-eat meals. Many grocery chains do the same, such as Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Meijer. Most of these require pre-orders, often due by the weekend before Thanksgiving. Pickup usually happens on Wednesday or Thanksgiving morning. Order early. Popular slots sell out. A typical meal serves four to eight people and includes turkey or ham, sides, and pie. Check the pickup window carefully, since some stores close that day.

Store-by-Store: Quick Answers

Is Starbucks Open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, most Starbucks stores open, often with shortened hours. Licensed stores inside grocery stores follow the host store's schedule. Check the app for your location.

Is Target Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Target closes all stores on Thanksgiving Day. Doors reopen on Black Friday. Online orders still process, but pickup is not available.

Is McDonald's Open on Thanksgiving?

Mostly yes. Franchise owners set their own hours. Many open with reduced schedules, while some stay closed. Use the app to confirm.

Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Walmart stays closed on Thanksgiving Day. It reopens on Black Friday. Online deals start earlier, but stores are locked.

Is Publix Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Publix closes all stores on Thanksgiving. Pre-ordered meals must be picked up before the holiday. Plan ahead.

Is Kroger Open on Thanksgiving?

No, Kroger stores are generally closed. Same goes for its banner stores like Ralphs and Fred Meyer. Pick up pre-ordered meals before Thursday.

Is Dollar General Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Dollar General stores are typically closed. They reopen Friday. Don't count on them for last-minute needs.

Is Home Depot Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Home Depot closes all stores on Thanksgiving. Lowe's does the same. If a repair is urgent, call a local hardware store or emergency service.

Is CVS Open on Thanksgiving?

Many CVS stores are open, but with shorter hours. Pharmacy counters may close early or stay closed. Call before you go, especially for prescriptions.

Is Walgreens Open on Thanksgiving?

Many Walgreens stores open with reduced hours. A few 24-hour locations stay open. The pharmacy side may run on a shorter schedule. Check the store locator.

Is Dunkin' Open on Thanksgiving?

Most Dunkin' locations are open, usually for the morning or part of the day. Franchise owners decide. Check the app for exact hours.

Is Meijer Open on Thanksgiving?

No. Meijer stores close for Thanksgiving. Order early if you need holiday meals. Stores reopen Friday.

Is Safeway Open on Thanksgiving?

Often yes, but only for a few hours. Many stores close in the afternoon. Hours differ by region, so call ahead.

What Are Closed on Thanksgiving?

Quick answer: Most major retailers and warehouse clubs are closed on Thanksgiving Day. They reopen on Friday, November 27.

Plan on these being closed:

Retail: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Macy's, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Old Navy
Warehouse clubs: Costco and Sam's Club
Home improvement: Home Depot and Lowe's
Dollar stores: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar
Grocery: Kroger, Publix, Meijer, Aldi, and Trader Joe's
Restaurants: Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Olive Garden, and Texas Roadhouse (usually)
Banks and post offices: Closed nationwide

Key Takeaways

Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26.
Walmart, Target, Costco, and Home Depot are closed.
CVS and Walgreens are your best bet for last-minute items.
Safeway and Whole Foods may open with short hours.
Fast food and coffee chains are often open, but franchises decide.
Cracker Barrel, Denny's, and Waffle House are reliable for a sit-down meal.
Always check the store's app or call before you go.
Pre-order meals early. Pickup usually ends before Thanksgiving.

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A note on accuracy: Thanksgiving hours are usually confirmed by chains in November, so I've written this from typical past patterns. I can run a search to check for any 2026 announcements and update the article. Want me to do that?

FAQs

Does any store open on Thanksgiving Day?

Yes, some do. Most big-box retailers are closed, but pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, convenience stores, gas stations, and a few grocers such as Safeway and Whole Foods open with reduced hours. Many fast food and coffee chains also serve customers. Hours vary by location, so check the store’s app or call first.

Does Walmart work on Thanksgiving Day?

No. Walmart closes all U.S. stores on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Stores reopen on Black Friday. Walmart.com stays online, so you can still place orders, but in-store and curbside pickup are not available that day.

Do Americans get a day off on Thanksgiving?

Yes, most do. Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so government offices, schools, banks, and the post office close. Most office workers get the day off, and many employers add Friday too. Retail, hospital, restaurant, and transit workers may still have to work, since private employers are not required to give the day off.

Is anything open in New York on Thanksgiving?

Yes. New York City has plenty open. Bodegas, delis, pharmacies, and many restaurants run on Thanksgiving, and some serve special holiday menus. Broadway shows, museums, and some attractions also open, often with adjusted hours. Subways and buses run on a holiday schedule. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade draws crowds in the morning, so expect street closures in Midtown.

What do Americans do on Thanksgiving Day?

Most gather with family and friends for a big meal. Turkey is the centerpiece, with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie on the side. Many people watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then settle in for NFL football. Some volunteer at food drives, run a local “turkey trot” race, or share what they are thankful for at the table.

Is Thanksgiving bigger than Christmas?

Not overall. Christmas is bigger in spending, travel length, and cultural reach. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel weekend of the year for many Americans, though, and millions of people hit the road or airport at once. It is also a more secular holiday, so it is shared across faiths and backgrounds. Many people say it is the one day built around food, family, and being together, with less pressure around gifts.

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