Grocery Stores Open on Christmas Day — Your Ultimate 2025 Guide for Last-Minute Shoppers

It’s Christmas morning. You’re cozy with family, stockings are hung, but then it hits you—you forgot the cranberry sauce, butter, or that one dessert ingredient. Before you panic and start dialing everyone in town, let’s get one thing straight: most grocery stores and supermarkets across the U.S. will be closed on Christmas Day. But there are still options for the determined last-minute shopper. That’s what this comprehensive, friendly, expert-level guide is all about.
Here’s everything you need to know about grocery stores open on Christmas Day in 2025—complete with savvy tips, real-world experience, and precise recommendations so you don’t end up staring at closed doors.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

• Which grocery and convenience stores are actually open on Christmas Day
• How to plan ahead so you never get caught short again
• Best alternatives when traditional grocery chains are closed
• Realistic tips based on actual holiday shopping patterns and store policies
• Expert strategies to avoid holiday shopping stress

Let’s dive in!

What Does “Grocery Stores Open on Christmas Day” Mean?

Put simply: stores where you can walk in, buy food and essential items, and get out — on December 25.

Here’s the tricky part: Christmas Day is treated as a major holiday in the United States, meaning most national grocery chains close their doors so employees can spend the holiday with family. That’s not just speculation—that’s confirmed by holiday operating schedules released by retailers across the country this season.

Most large supermarkets, including Walmart, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Whole Foods, Publix and many others, will be closed on Christmas Day.

So when we talk about “grocery stores open on Christmas Day,” we’re largely referring to:

• Convenience stores
• Regional stores with flexible holiday policies
• Gas station markets
• Select pharmacies and small local grocers

Each has pros and cons—which we’ll explore next.

Stores That Are Open on Christmas Day (2025)

Here’s the practical breakdown of grocery and food-related stores you can realistically count on:

Convenience Stores & Gas Station Markets (Reliable Options)

These are your best bet for last-minute grocery needs on Christmas Day:

• 7-Eleven – Most locations are open 24/7, including holidays. Great for snacks, beverages, and quick essentials.
• Circle K – Most stores open 24 hours with snacks, packaged foods, and basic groceries.
• Wawa – Most stores are open around the clock on Christmas Day.
• Buc-ees – Known for being open 365 days a year; check your local location before heading out.
• Casey’s General Store – Many outlets open with modified hours.

Why these work: Convenience stores and gas station markets aren’t always categorized as full-service supermarkets, but their food sections can rescue you in a pinch.

Pharmacies & Drugstore Chains (Mixed, But Helpful)

Some will have limited grocery or snack options and may sell basic staples:

• CVS – Many locations are open, though hours vary by store.
• Walgreens – Many stores stay open (some 24/7), but pharmacy departments may have limited hours.
• Duane Reade (in certain regions) – Similar to CVS/Walgreens.

Tip: Pharmacies won’t have a full grocery aisle like a supermarket, but they’re great for essentials: bread, milk, eggs, snacks, batteries, and even last-minute gifts.

Regional Grocery Stores (Variable)

A few regional supermarkets may stay open with adjusted hours, depending on local management and community needs:

• Albertsons / Safeway – Some locations open with modified hours on Christmas Day.
• Acme Markets / Vons / other regional chains – A handful may be open, particularly where permitted by store leadership or franchise.

These are exceptions, and availability can vary widely by city or state. Always call ahead or check the store’s official holiday schedule.

Stores That Will Be Closed on Christmas Day

Understanding who won’t be open is almost as helpful as knowing who will. Major grocery chains closing their doors include:

• Walmart Supercenters / Grocery
• Costco
• Kroger and affiliated brands
• Trader Joe’s
• Whole Foods Market
• Publix
• ALDI
• Sprouts Farmers Market
• Meijer
• Target Grocery Sections
  …and many others.

These closures are consistent nationwide and are generally lifted the day after the holiday (December 26), when normal hours resume.

Why Most Grocery Stores Close on Christmas Day

At its core, the reason is simple:

Christmas Day is one of the few holidays where nearly all non-essential businesses close so employees can spend time with family.

Unlike Black Friday or even Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Day isn’t driven by big retail sales—it’s a holiday focused on rest, traditions, and time off. This cultural norm shows up in the store schedules of most grocery chains.

Best Use Cases: When You Can Shop on Christmas Day

Here are typical situations where knowing what is open can save the day:

Last-Minute Dinner Ingredient Runs

Forgot the pie, cranberries, or stuffing mix? Your local 7-Eleven, Circle K, Buc-ees or Walgreens might just have the basics to keep dinner on track.

Unexpected Guests Arrive

If family or friends show up with empty hands—or with last-minute cravings—convenience stores are your reliable go-to.

Coffee Cravings or Beverages

Holiday mornings often run on caffeine. Starbucks, some gas stations, and pharmacy stores are often open and ready to serve.

Emergencies & Essentials

Need medicine, batteries, or sunscreen? Open pharmacies and convenience stores can be life-savers.

Pro Tips for Christmas Day Grocery Shopping

Whether you’re planning or improvising, here’s how to maximize your odds of success:

1. Call Before You Go

Hours vary by franchise and location—especially for pharmacies. A quick phone call or Google search can avoid a wasted trip.

2. Use the Store Locator

Chains like Walgreens and 7-Eleven have store finders that list holiday hours.

3. Head Out Early

Even stores that are open might have adjusted or reduced hours. Aim for morning or early afternoon.

4. Think Beyond Supermarkets

Convenience stores, gas stations, and pharmacies are your best friends on holidays.

5. Plan for After Christmas

If you really need groceries and can wait, Dec. 26 is almost guaranteed to see full reopening of supermarkets.

Quick Comparison: Grocery Stores vs. Convenience Stores on Christmas

Feature	Grocery Store	Convenience / Gas Station	Pharmacy Chain
Holiday Open?	Mostly closed	Most open	Some open
Full Grocery Aisle	✅	❌	❌
Fresh Produce	✅	Limited	Limited
Meal Fixings	✅	Snacks only	Snacks/essentials
Best For	Planned meals	Last-minute fixes	Essentials & snacks

Common Mistakes Shoppers Make

Here’s what not to do:

Mistake #1: Assuming All Stores Are Open

Just because a chain is open year-round doesn’t mean it’s open on a major holiday. Always check holiday hours.

Fix: Call ahead or check online store locators.

Mistake #2: Waiting Until Late Afternoon

Some stores that open might close early on Christmas Day.

Fix: Shop early in the day to avoid being locked out.

Mistake #3: Forgetting Local Variations

A store in Florida may have different hours than one in Texas—even if it’s the same chain.

Fix: Look up your specific store’s hours, not just the brand.

Mistake #4: Not Planning Ahead

Trying to buy major meal items on Christmas Day is a gamble most years.

Fix: Do your main grocery run by Christmas Eve.

Wrapping It Up

So here’s the bottom line for grocery stores open on Christmas Day in 2025:

• Most traditional grocery stores will not be open — including major national chains.
• Your best open options are convenience stores, gas station markets, and select pharmacies.
• Always check hours for your specific location before heading out.

That last-minute cranberry sauce emergency doesn’t have to derail your holiday—just be prepared, think creatively, and use these local open-on-Christmas options to your advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)