Most major big-box retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving, while many grocery, drug, and convenience stores will be open with reduced hours, and exact hours will vary by location and chain. Always double-check your specific store’s website or app as Thanksgiving approaches, since 2026 hours may change and can differ even within the same chain.

Big-box and department stores

Many large retailers have shifted to closing completely on Thanksgiving in recent years, focusing traffic on Black Friday instead. This trend is expected to continue into 2026, especially for national chains.

Typical patterns from recent years include:

  • Walmart: Closed on Thanksgiving Day, reopening early on Black Friday.
  • Target: Closed on Thanksgiving Day after making the closure a standing policy.
  • Costco: Closed on Thanksgiving as part of its standard holiday schedule.
  • Best Buy, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea: Frequently closed on Thanksgiving.

Grocery stores usually open (limited hours)

Grocery chains are the most reliable option if you need last‑minute Thanksgiving ingredients, but almost all run shortened hours. Hours can vary widely even inside the same brand, so checking your local store’s listing is essential.

Common patterns in recent Thanksgiving schedules:

  • Kroger and affiliated banners (Ralphs, Smith’s, Fry’s, etc.): Often open with modified hours, generally closing earlier than normal.
  • Albertsons / Safeway / Vons: Commonly open with limited daytime hours for last‑minute shopping.
  • Wegmans: Traditionally open but typically closing around mid‑afternoon (e.g., 3–4 p.m.).
  • Food Lion, Meijer, Giant Food, Giant Eagle, Sprouts: Often open but on reduced holiday schedules.
  • Trader Joe’s: Typically closed on Thanksgiving.
  • Costco: Closed, even though it’s a warehouse grocery option.

Drugstores and convenience stores

Drugstores and convenience chains are your best bet later in the day or for quick essentials. Some run 24/7, while others adjust to holiday hours.

Recent Thanksgiving norms:

  • CVS: Many locations open, but hours vary significantly by store and region.
  • Walgreens: Many locations closed, but 24‑hour or select stores stay open.
  • Convenience chains (Casey’s, Wawa, and similar): Commonly open, often 24 hours or with near‑regular schedules.

Retail stores that stay open

A smaller group of non‑grocery retailers still open on Thanksgiving, often with daytime hours only. These are sometimes aimed at travelers, outdoors enthusiasts, or bargain hunters.

Patterns from recent years include:

  • Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s: Often open roughly mid‑morning to early evening (e.g., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
  • Big Lots: Commonly open with extended but still reduced hours (like 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.), varying by location.

How to check your specific store

Because policies change year to year and even store to store, the safest way to know what stores will be open on Thanksgiving near you is to verify locally.

Quick steps:

  1. Search “[store name] Thanksgiving hours” a week or two before the holiday, then confirm again day‑of.
  1. Use the store’s official app or “store locator” page, which usually shows holiday hours by location.
  1. Call the store directly on the morning of Thanksgiving to confirm opening and closing times, especially for smaller or regional chains.

In general, plan as if big-box retail is closed , major groceries are open but closing early , and drugstores and convenience stores are your backup for emergencies.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.