What’s open on Thanksgiving? Here’s what to know about store hours on Thursday and Black Friday.
As Americans gear up for the beloved Thanksgiving holiday on November 27, 2025, marked by traditions of gratitude, family gatherings, and bountiful feasts, a critical question often arises for last-minute planners or eager shoppers: what stores will be open? Whether you’re scrambling for a forgotten ingredient for your pumpkin pie, needing a prescription refill, or simply curious about when the Black Friday sales officially kick off, understanding the holiday retail landscape is crucial. The approach to Thanksgiving Day operations has significantly evolved in recent years, with many major retailers now choosing to close their doors, prioritizing employee well-being over holiday sales. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of store hours for Thanksgiving Day and the subsequent Black Friday shopping extravaganza in 2025, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the holiday week.
The landscape of retail on Thanksgiving Day has undergone a notable transformation. Once a day when many large retailers would open early to jumpstart their Black Friday sales, the prevailing trend has shifted towards observing the holiday by keeping stores closed. This movement, significantly accelerated by the events of recent years, reflects a broader societal recognition of Thanksgiving as a day for rest and family, rather than immediate commercial activity. Companies increasingly opt to grant their employees the day off, allowing them to participate in the holiday’s traditional spirit. However, for consumers, this means meticulous planning is more important than ever to avoid any last-minute frustrations. From grocery essentials to emergency needs, knowing what will be available and when can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience.
Is Target open on Thanksgiving?
Leading this trend for 2025 are retail giants like Target and Costco, both of whom have firmly committed to Thanksgiving Day closures. Target locations will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, a policy explicitly stated in a fact sheet published on Target’s corporate website. This decision, now a consistent practice for the retailer, reflects a broader industry movement away from opening on Thanksgiving Day, a practice that gained significant traction during the pandemic and has largely persisted. Target’s commitment allows its extensive workforce to enjoy the holiday with their families, signaling a cultural shift in retail priorities.
Is Costco open on Thanksgiving?
Similarly, warehouse club behemoth Costco will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, as clearly noted on its holiday calendar. Costco has long been known for its employee-friendly policies, and observing major holidays like Thanksgiving is a consistent part of its operational philosophy. For members planning to stock up on bulk items or holiday provisions, it’s essential to complete your shopping well in advance of Thanksgiving Day, as there will be no opportunity for last-minute runs to Costco on the holiday itself.
Which grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?
For those unexpected culinary emergencies or forgotten ingredients, knowing which grocery stores will operate on Thanksgiving Day is paramount. While a significant number of chains will observe a full closure, several others will offer limited hours, typically closing earlier than usual. It is highly advisable for shoppers to verify the specific operating hours of their local grocery store well in advance, as schedules can vary even within the same chain depending on regional policies and franchisee decisions.
Grocery chains generally open with limited hours on Thanksgiving, often closing by early afternoon, include:
- Whole Foods Market: Many locations typically operate on a reduced schedule.
- Kroger (and its affiliates like Fred Meyer, Ralphs): Store hours vary greatly by location, but many will have limited hours.
- Safeway/Albertsons: Similar to Kroger, many stores will offer reduced hours.
- Sprouts Farmers Market: Often open for a portion of the day.
- Smaller, independently owned grocery stores and convenience stores: These are often your best bet for last-minute items, though their hours can be highly variable.
Which grocery chains are closed on Thanksgiving?
The following major grocery chains will be closed all day on Thursday, November 27, ensuring their employees can enjoy the holiday:
- Trader Joe’s: Known for its consistent policy of closing on major holidays.
- Aldi: Another chain that typically observes full holiday closures.
- Publix: Generally closed on Thanksgiving Day across all its locations.
- H-E-B: A regional favorite that usually closes for the holiday.
Are other retailers open on Thanksgiving?
Beyond groceries, many other retail categories also observe varied schedules. Some chains, from pharmacies to home improvement centers, will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, aligning with the broader trend of employee appreciation.
- Pharmacies: Pharmacy chains often serve as a vital lifeline on holidays. CVS and Walgreens typically maintain operations on Thanksgiving Day, though many locations will run on reduced schedules. Their importance for last-minute medical needs, forgotten household items, or even quick snack runs makes them an exception to widespread closures. However, it’s always wise to call your specific location to confirm their hours, especially for pharmacy counter services.
- Home Improvement Stores: Giants like Home Depot and Lowe’s typically join the ranks of closed retailers on Thanksgiving, allowing their extensive workforces a day off.
- Craft Stores: Similarly, craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabrics usually observe a full holiday closure.
- Department Stores & Electronics: The traditional department stores, including Macy’s, Kohl’s, and JCPenney, which were once synonymous with Thanksgiving Day sales, have largely pivoted away from this practice. Many now choose to remain closed on Thanksgiving, reserving their major promotional events for the following Black Friday. Best Buy, another key player in holiday electronics shopping, also follows this trend of Thanksgiving closure.
For those retailers that will remain open, such as certain pharmacies or convenience stores, it’s best to check their specific schedules and hours ahead of time, as they can vary significantly depending on location and franchise ownership.
Which fast-food and restaurant chains can I eat at on Thanksgiving?
For those opting out of cooking or seeking a holiday meal away from home, several fast-food and restaurant chains will be open on Thanksgiving, albeit often with modified hours and special menus.
- Starbucks: Many locations will be open, though hours can vary.
- McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s: Often, these fast-food giants have locations open, but it’s largely dependent on individual franchise owners.
- IHOP, Denny’s: These 24/7 diners are frequently open on holidays and may offer special Thanksgiving menus.
- Cracker Barrel: Known for its traditional holiday offerings, Cracker Barrel locations are typically open on Thanksgiving.
- Some local restaurants: Many independent restaurants, particularly those specializing in fine dining or specific cuisines, may offer special Thanksgiving reservations.
As with other retailers, customers should absolutely check local hours and make reservations where necessary, as they may vary widely. Calling ahead is the most reliable way to confirm availability and avoid disappointment.
Is the stock market open on Thanksgiving?
Beyond retail, other critical services also observe Thanksgiving. The stock market, including both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, will be fully closed on Thanksgiving, November 27, 2025. Furthermore, it will operate on an abbreviated schedule on Black Friday, November 28, closing early at 1 p.m. EST, according to the Nasdaq website. This allows market participants to observe the holiday while still facilitating some trading activity as the holiday weekend begins.
Are USPS, UPS and FedEx open on Thanksgiving?
Postal and delivery services also adjust their operations significantly for the holiday. Post office locations will be closed on Thursday, November 27, to observe Thanksgiving, meaning no regular mail delivery. Only Priority Mail Express will potentially be delivered that day, typically for urgent shipments. Regular mail delivery and retail services will resume on Friday, November 28. Similarly, UPS will be closed on the Thanksgiving holiday, with all pickup and delivery services suspended until Friday. FedEx will also largely suspend its services, with the sole exception being FedEx Custom Critical, its specialized expedited service for highly time-sensitive, valuable, or hazardous shipments, as stated on FedEx’s website. For any crucial shipments or mail needs, planning well in advance of Thanksgiving is imperative.
Do stores have special Black Friday hours?
The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, November 28, 2025, marks the official commencement of the frantic holiday shopping season, and retailers are preparing with special hours and deep discounts. While many stores have shifted away from Thanksgiving Day openings, they are more than ready to open their doors early on Black Friday to accommodate the rush of shoppers looking for deals. The lines between Thanksgiving sales and Black Friday promotions have also blurred, with many retailers launching "Black Friday" deals weeks in advance, and a strong emphasis on online promotions that begin on Thanksgiving Day itself, continuing through Cyber Monday.
For those planning to hit the stores in person, here’s a sampling of retailers’ anticipated Black Friday hours, though specific times should always be verified closer to the date:
- Best Buy: Historically opens early, often between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time.
- Macy’s: Department stores like Macy’s often open very early, sometimes as early as 6 a.m., to kick off their major sales events.
- Kohl’s: Similar to Macy’s, Kohl’s is known for early Black Friday openings.
- Walmart: While potentially closed on Thanksgiving, Walmart typically opens very early on Black Friday, often by 5 or 6 a.m., to offer doorbuster deals.
- Target: Following its Thanksgiving closure, Target will typically open early on Black Friday, with hours often starting around 6 or 7 a.m.
In summary, while the spirit of Thanksgiving encourages a pause from commerce, a careful plan is essential for any last-minute needs or early shopping endeavors in 2025. Always double-check local store hours online or via phone before heading out, ensuring a smooth and stress-free holiday for you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving!
