Which Grocery Stores Are Closed on Christmas Day?
Christmas is quickly approaching and if you forgot a key ingredient for your holiday gathering, don’t wait until the last minute or you’ll be out of luck. Most grocery stores, like most retail stores and restaurant chains, will be closed on Thursday, December 25 for Christmas.
Many grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve with adjusted hours. But Christmas Day? Pretty much everything's closed.
It's always a good idea to call your local store to double check, but honestly, don't get your hopes up. Here's what you need to know for major grocery chains.
Are Grocery Stores Open on Christmas?
Christmas Day Is Thursday, December 25. All the major chains confirmed to they'll be closed December 25 including:
Aldi
Walmart
Costco
Sam's Club
Food Lion
Target
Publix
Meijer
Whole Foods
Harris Teeter
Wegmans
Winn-Dixie
Harveys
Lidl
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle also confirmed their pharmacies will be closed too.
What This Actually Means
If you need something for Christmas dinner, get it before Christmas. Shop ahead or hit stores on Christmas Eve if you’re feeling risky.
Most grocery stores will be open Christmas Eve with adjusted hours, probably closing mid-afternoon or early evening. That's your last chance.
This is why people meal plan for Christmas. Not because they're organized, but because forgetting one ingredient on Christmas Day means you're making do without it.
Christmas Eve Is Your Last Shot
Most stores will be open Christmas Eve but with reduced hours. They're not keeping regular hours when everyone's trying to get home.
Call ahead to confirm hours for your specific location. Some chains close at 2 p.m., some at 5 p.m., some at 6 p.m. It depends on the store and location.
Every Year This Happens
Every single year, people forget grocery stores close on Christmas. Then Christmas morning hits and they realize they're missing something important. Too late. Don't be that person scrambling around Christmas morning trying to find an open store. There aren't any.
Make a list. Check it twice. Get everything you need before Christmas Eve closes because once Christmas Day arrives, you're stuck with whatever's in your pantry.
Most people figure this out and shop early. Then there are people who wait until Christmas Eve afternoon and panic-buy everything in one frantic trip while dodging other last-minute shoppers.
Either approach works. Just don't wait until Christmas Day because literally nothing will be open.
What to Do
Shop this week. Get everything you need for Christmas dinner now. Don't wait. If you absolutely have to shop Christmas Eve, go early. Stores will be packed and closing early.
Check your recipes. Make a list. Buy extras of things you might run out of—butter, cream, stock, whatever. Call your local store for Christmas Eve hours, but don't expect anyone to be open December 25. You've been warned.
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