With the holiday season fast approaching, many grocery stores across the United States are adjusting their hours to accommodate eager shoppers. If you're still searching for ingredients for your Christmas dinner or last-minute stocking stuffers, it’s important to know which stores will be available on these special days. While many stores will open their doors for limited hours on Christmas Eve, most will close up shop altogether on Christmas Day.
Here's what you need to know about grocery store hours leading up to Christmas 2024.
Albertsons will be open on Christmas Eve but is expected to close its doors early at 6 p.m. on the 24th. Generally, they observe Christmas Day off.
ALDI locations across the country will similarly have shortened hours, closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and being closed on Christmas Day. Initial shoppers are urged to check local listings.
Big Lots, facing its own going-out-of-business sales, is also modifying schedules to limit hours on Christmas Eve, with many of its stores closing at 8 p.m.
Costco will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but all locations will be closed on Christmas Day, as is their annual custom.
Dollar General will be open longer, with stores welcoming customers until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but closing for the holiday on Christmas Day.
Kroger family stores are another option, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve. Keep in mind, hours might vary through the different divisions such as Ralphs and Fred Meyer, so checking specific hours is recommended.
Rite Aid confirmed their locations will be available through Christmas Eve with limited hours, but will close on Christmas Day.
At Sam’s Club, customers can visit until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Like Costco, Sam’s Club will be closed on Christmas Day.
Sprouts Farmers Market will keep their shops open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but will be closed for business on Christmas Day.
Target will be open on Christmas Eve until 8 p.m., but consumers should note they will also close on Christmas Day.
Trader Joe’s stores will close early on Christmas Eve, shutting down at 5 p.m. Like many others, they will be unavailable on Christmas Day.
Walmart stores will operate until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve but will be closed altogether for Christmas Day.
Wegmans will be open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, adjusting hours across different locations.
Whole Foods stores will be available on Christmas Eve but will be shutting down for the holiday completely on Christmas Day.
For several other grocery stores like Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Trader Joe’s, it's best to check their websites for the most accurate hours, as they may vary by location and time of year.
Some regional stores may even remain open on Christmas Day. For example, stores like Safeway could vary greatly without prior notice. Many will close during the morning and open select stores again by 7 p.m.
For those already planning their Christmas Day meals, stores like FoodMaxx are scheduled to be available on Christmas Day from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. confirming potential last-minute visits.
The Bottom Line: The best tactic is to plan early! While most grocers will keep their doors open on Christmas Eve, they will limit hours, making it imperative for shoppers to verify local store timings to avoid last-minute disappointments.
By preparing and knowing when your local stores will be open, you can help make your holiday planning just a bit less hectic.
