The Ultimate List Of 2025: 15+ Stores, Restaurants, And Pharmacies Open (and Closed) On Thanksgiving Day
Planning your Thanksgiving menu or realizing you forgot a key ingredient for the feast? With Thanksgiving Day falling on Thursday, November 27, 2025, knowing which stores, pharmacies, and restaurants are operating is crucial, as the trend of major retailers closing for the holiday continues to hold strong. This comprehensive, updated guide cuts through the confusion to provide the definitive list of what’s open and what’s closed, ensuring your holiday runs smoothly and you can quickly grab that last-minute gravy or emergency prescription.
The vast majority of large department and big-box stores will remain closed on November 27, 2025, allowing their employees to spend the holiday with family. However, essential services, convenience stores, and many grocery chains will operate on a reduced schedule to accommodate last-minute needs. Always call your local branch to confirm specific operating hours, as they often vary by location.
The Essential List: Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, and Convenience Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2025
The biggest challenge on Thanksgiving is often the forgotten ingredient—a stick of butter, a bottle of wine, or a can of whipped cream. Thankfully, several major grocery chains, convenience stores, and pharmacies recognize this need and keep their doors open, albeit with significantly reduced hours. This is where you'll find your salvation for that last-minute cooking emergency.
Grocery Stores and Markets Open (Reduced Hours Expected)
Most grocery stores that choose to open will close their doors early, often between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, so be sure to shop early in the morning.
- Kroger: Most locations are expected to be open, typically from 6 a.m. and closing early, often between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Whole Foods Market: Generally open, but with significantly reduced hours. Expect doors to close as early as 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- Albertsons: Many Albertsons markets will be open, usually with reduced hours. Call ahead to confirm your local store's schedule.
- Food Lion: Stores are typically open until 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
- ACME Markets: Most ACME stores are open, often from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sprouts Farmers Market: Sprouts is a reliable option, but expect an early closing time.
- Harris Teeter: Many locations will be open, generally from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Safeway: Similar to Albertsons, many Safeway locations will be open with reduced hours.
Pharmacies and Convenience Stores (The True Lifesavers)
Pharmacies and convenience stores are the most consistently open entities on Thanksgiving, making them essential for non-food items, emergency medications, and last-minute beverages.
- CVS Pharmacy: Most standalone CVS stores will be open, often maintaining their regular hours. However, the pharmacy counter itself will likely operate on reduced hours, so plan prescription pickups accordingly.
- Walgreens: Many 24-hour Walgreens locations will remain open 24/7. Non-24-hour stores will also be open but with reduced hours. Like CVS, the pharmacy counter hours will vary.
- Rite Aid: Hours will vary by location, but many stores will be open for essential purchases.
- Dollar General: Most Dollar General stores are expected to be open, typically with reduced hours, providing a great option for household essentials and quick snacks.
- 7-Eleven: As a 24/7 convenience chain, most 7-Eleven locations will be open throughout the holiday.
Major Retailers That Are CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day 2025
The trend of major retailers prioritizing employee time off over holiday sales has solidified in recent years, a significant shift from the previous decade's "doorbuster" madness. For 2025, almost all major big-box and department stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. This means you should plan your Black Friday shopping for Friday, November 28, or shop online from the comfort of your home.
If you need an item from any of the following stores, you will need to plan ahead or wait until Black Friday morning.
Big-Box and Department Stores CLOSED
- Walmart: All Walmart locations, including Sam's Club, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
- Target: Target will remain closed on the holiday, continuing its policy to give team members the day off.
- Costco Wholesale: Costco is consistently closed for the major holidays, including Thanksgiving.
- Best Buy: Closed. All holiday shopping will start online or on Black Friday morning.
- Home Depot / Lowe's: Both major home improvement stores will be closed.
- Macy's: Department stores like Macy's are closed, with sales shifting to online platforms.
- Kohl's: Closed.
- JCPenney: Closed.
- REI: Continues its "Opt Outside" initiative and will be closed.
- BJ's Wholesale Club: Closed.
- Aldi: Closed.
This widespread closure of major retail outlets emphasizes the shift in holiday shopping, making online deals and the traditional Friday morning rush the new norm for securing the best Black Friday savings.
Restaurants Open for Dine-In and Takeout on Thanksgiving 2025
For those who prefer to skip the hours of cooking and the mountain of dishwashing, many restaurant chains offer special Thanksgiving menus or maintain regular operating hours. These options are perfect for families looking for a traditional turkey dinner without the fuss or for travelers needing a quick meal on the road.
Casual Dining and Dinner Options
Many full-service restaurants require reservations for their special Thanksgiving meal, so it is highly recommended to call well in advance.
- Cracker Barrel: A popular choice, Cracker Barrel typically offers a special Thanksgiving meal for dine-in and heat-and-serve options for takeout.
- Bob Evans: Known for its "Farmhouse Feast," Bob Evans will be open and offering holiday meals.
- Buca di Beppo: Often offers a traditional Thanksgiving dinner available for both dine-in and catering.
- Applebee's: Many franchised locations will be open, but hours can vary significantly.
- Denny's: A classic 24-hour option, Denny's will be open and usually offers a holiday turkey dinner.
- Boston Market: Excellent for pre-ordered full meals or individual Thanksgiving plates.
- Chart House: Many upscale restaurants, including Chart House, will offer special holiday menus, requiring reservations.
Fast Food and Quick Service
For a quick bite or a caffeine fix, most fast-food chains are open, though their hours may be slightly reduced compared to a typical weekday.
- Dunkin': Most locations will be open, perfect for your morning coffee and a pre-feast donut run.
- Starbucks: Generally open, but hours are determined by the store manager and will vary.
- Burger King: Many franchised locations will be open.
- Arby's: Select locations will be open for the holiday.
- Domino's: Pizza is a surprisingly popular Thanksgiving option, and many locations will be delivering.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: A good option for watching football, many locations will be open in the afternoon/evening.
Planning Ahead: Key Entities and LSI Keywords for Thanksgiving Day
While the focus is often on stores and restaurants, planning for other essential services and activities is just as important on a major holiday like Thanksgiving. Incorporating LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords helps ensure you cover all necessary aspects of the holiday.
Emergency and Essential Services
Always remember that emergency services, including hospitals, police, and fire departments, operate 24/7. Most urgent care centers will also be open, though their hours may be limited. Gas stations and travel centers are reliable options for fuel, snacks, and basic necessities, especially along major interstate highways.
Entertainment and Travel
If you're looking for entertainment after the big meal, consider these options:
- Movie Theaters: Most major movie theater chains (e.g., AMC, Regal) will be open, as Thanksgiving is a popular day for new movie releases.
- National Parks: While many visitor centers may be closed, the outdoor areas of National Parks and State Parks generally remain open, offering a great way to "Opt Outside" after a heavy meal.
- Liquor Stores: The status of liquor stores depends entirely on state and local laws. In many states, liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving, so purchase any wine or spirits well in advance.
- Public Transportation: Most public transit systems will operate on a reduced, holiday, or Sunday schedule. Check your local transit authority for specific routes and times.
The Black Friday Shift
The closure of major retailers on Thanksgiving Day is a direct move to shift the start of the holiday shopping season to Black Friday, which falls on November 28, 2025. Many online deals begin days before the holiday, but in-store doorbusters typically kick off early Friday morning, with stores like Target opening at 6 a.m. and others even earlier. This strategy allows employees to enjoy the holiday while still capitalizing on the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
In summary, while the big-box stores are closed, you are not without options for last-minute needs on Thanksgiving Day 2025. Plan your grocery run for the morning, confirm your restaurant reservations, and enjoy the day knowing that essential pharmacies and convenience stores will be open for any unexpected needs.
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