What Businesses Are Open on Christmas 2025?

While most businesses in the United States close on Christmas Day, a select number of essential and customer-service-oriented establishments remain open to accommodate travelers, families, and last-minute needs. Understanding which businesses are open on Christmas can help you plan meals, access medications, or find emergency supplies when traditional stores are shuttered. Typically, major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, select gas stations such as Shell and Circle K, and popular fast-food restaurants including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Subway maintain limited operations. However, hours vary significantly by location and region, so checking individual store websites or calling ahead is crucial for accurate Christmas Day availability.

Why Most Businesses Close on Christmas

Christmas Day, observed annually on December 25th, is a federal holiday in the United States, meaning government offices, public schools, and the majority of private-sector employers shut down. The closure reflects both cultural tradition and legal norms. Many employees are entitled to paid time off, and retail workers often receive premium holiday pay if they do work. As a family-centered holiday, businesses prioritize giving staff time to celebrate with loved ones. This widespread shutdown also stems from historical labor practices that evolved over the 20th century, especially as consumer culture shifted toward shopping before—rather than on—Christmas Day.

Types of Businesses That May Stay Open

Despite the general closure trend, several categories of businesses commonly operate on December 25, albeit with reduced hours:

• Hospitals and urgent care clinics – Always open due to medical necessity.
• Pharmacies – Some locations of CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid stay open, especially in urban areas or near hospitals.
• Gas stations and convenience stores – Chains like Sheetz, Wawa, 7-Eleven, and Circle K often remain accessible 24/7.
• Hotels and motels – Operate normally to serve travelers and guests.
• Airports and transportation hubs – Staffed continuously for flights, security, and passenger services.
• Restaurants – Fast food and some casual dining spots like Denny’s, IHOP, and Cracker Barrel may offer Christmas Day service.
• Emergency veterinary clinics – Available for pet owners facing urgent situations.
• Police, fire departments, and utilities – Essential public services continue uninterrupted.

These operations ensure public safety, support travelers, and meet basic needs during a day when many households are isolated or hosting gatherings.

Major Retailers and Their Typical Christmas Policies

Most large retailers choose not to open on Christmas, aligning with employee expectations and consumer habits. Below is an overview of common policies among national brands:

Business	Open on Christmas?	Notes
Walmart	No	Closes at 6 PM on Christmas Eve; reopens Dec 26
Target	No	All stores closed Dec 25
Costco	No	Closed all day Christmas Day
Home Depot	No	Shuts down Dec 25
Best Buy	No	Reopens Dec 26
CVS Pharmacy	Some	Limited locations open; check local store
Walgreens	Some	Urban and hospital-adjacent stores more likely open
7-Eleven	Yes	Fully operational or open late
McDonald's	Varies	Franchise-dependent; call ahead recommended
Denny's	Yes	Many locations serve Christmas dinner specials

Regional Differences in Christmas Business Operations

Whether a business stays open on Christmas often depends on geographic location. In rural communities, nearly all non-essential businesses close completely. In contrast, cities like New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles see higher rates of restaurant, pharmacy, and convenience store availability due to tourism, dense populations, and diverse cultural observances. For example, parts of Brooklyn or Queens may have bodegas and delis open, while small-town Main Street shops remain locked. Similarly, states with fewer religious traditions tied to Christmas—such as Oregon or Washington—may have slightly more flexible retail staffing, though this remains rare.

How To Find Out If a Specific Location Is Open

The most reliable method to determine whether a business is open on Christmas is to consult its official website or use its mobile app. Most chains provide holiday hours under the “Store Locator” or “Customer Service” sections. Alternatively, calling the local branch directly ensures up-to-date information, especially since franchise-operated outlets (like fast-food restaurants) set their own schedules. Google Maps is another helpful tool: search the business name, view its profile, and check the “Hours” section, which often lists special holiday adjustments.

Additionally, third-party sites like ChristmasOpen.org or HolidayHours.com compile annual reports on major brands’ Christmas operations. While useful, these should be cross-verified with primary sources, as data may not reflect last-minute changes.

Tips for Planning Around Christmas Closures

To avoid inconvenience during the holiday, consider these proactive steps:

1. Stock up early: Purchase groceries, prescriptions, and household essentials by December 23rd.
2. Download digital prescriptions: Use pharmacy apps to refill medications in advance.
3. Locate 24-hour options: Identify nearby hospitals, urgent care centers, and open gas stations before the holiday.
4. Check restaurant reservations: If planning a dine-out Christmas meal, confirm availability weeks in advance.
5. Use delivery services: Apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub partner with restaurants that remain open, offering contactless delivery even when storefronts are quiet.

Common Misconceptions About Christmas Business Hours

Several myths persist about what’s open on December 25:

• Myth: All fast food restaurants are open on Christmas.
  Reality: While chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell may operate, individual franchises decide independently. Many close entirely.
• Myth: Grocery stores stay open for last-minute shoppers.
  Reality: Supermarkets such as Kroger, Safeway, and Publix typically close by early afternoon on Christmas Eve.
• Myth: Online businesses “closing” means no deliveries.
  Reality: Amazon, UPS, and FedEx pause standard deliveries, but Prime Now and same-day services may still function in select metro areas.
• Myth: Gas stations always sell full grocery items.
  Reality: Convenience stores may lack fresh produce or specialty items, focusing instead on snacks, drinks, and fuel.

Alternatives When Stores Are Closed

If you’re stranded without supplies on Christmas Day, don’t panic. Consider these alternatives:

• Hotel front desks often sell basic toiletries, snacks, and adapters.
• Hospital gift shops sometimes carry over-the-counter medicines and greeting cards.
• Rideshare delivery from platforms like DoorDash Now or GoPuff can bring essentials within an hour.
• Neighbor exchanges – In tight-knit communities, borrowing sugar, milk, or batteries from neighbors is a festive solution.

The Future of Christmas Business Operations

As American culture becomes increasingly secular and service-driven, there’s growing debate about expanding holiday retail access. However, employee advocacy groups and labor unions continue to push back against opening on Christmas, citing work-life balance and religious respect. Retailers like Walmart and Target have maintained firm stances against Christmas Day openings since the 2010s, reversing earlier experiments with holiday sales. Meanwhile, the rise of e-commerce has reduced pressure on physical stores to open, as consumers can shop online any day—even Christmas—with next-day delivery options becoming more common post-holiday.

Still, demand for convenience persists. Urban centers may see more restaurants and pharmacies staying open, particularly in multicultural neighborhoods where Christmas isn’t universally observed. Technology will likely play a bigger role too, with AI-powered chatbots and automated kiosks enabling minimal-staff operations in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Walmart open on Christmas Day?

No, Walmart stores are closed on December 25. They typically close early on Christmas Eve and reopen on December 26.

Are pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens open on Christmas?

Some CVS and Walgreens locations remain open on Christmas, especially those in cities, airports, or attached to hospitals. Always verify using the store locator tool online.

Do restaurants deliver on Christmas?

Yes, many restaurants partnered with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub offer delivery on Christmas Day, even if their dining rooms are closed.

What time do gas stations close on Christmas?

Most major gas station chains like 7-Eleven, Sheetz, and Wawa operate 24/7, including Christmas Day. However, smaller independent stations may close early.

Can I get my prescription filled on Christmas?

You may be able to fill urgent prescriptions at select CVS, Walgreens, or hospital-based pharmacies. Call ahead to confirm availability and hours.