Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States, and many businesses, government offices, and services adjust their hours or close entirely to allow employees to spend time with their families. Below is a detailed breakdown of what will be open and closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving (with Modified Hours)
- Kroger
- Most Kroger stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for last-minute shopping needs.
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Sprouts will operate from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., ideal for picking up fresh produce or other essentials.
- Whole Foods
- Whole Foods locations will be open but with modified hours that vary by location. Customers are advised to call their local store for exact times.
- Harris Teeter
- Harris Teeter stores will generally be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., though it’s recommended to confirm hours with your local branch.
- H-E-B
- H-E-B stores in Texas will be open from 6 a.m. to noon, with curbside pickup available between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pharmacies at H-E-B locations will remain closed.
- Wegmans
- Wegmans stores will also remain open but with modified hours that vary by location; customers should check directly with their local store.
- Albertsons Companies Stores (Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Vons, Tom Thumb)
- These grocery chains under the Albertsons umbrella will generally be open but with adjusted hours depending on the location.
Grocery Stores Closed on Thanksgiving
- Target (including its grocery sections)
- Target has been closed on Thanksgiving since 2020 and continues this tradition in 2024.
- Walmart and Sam’s Club
- Both Walmart and Sam’s Club locations will remain closed for the day but reopen early on Black Friday (Walmart at 5 a.m.).
- Costco
- All Costco warehouses across the U.S. are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
- Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s locations nationwide are closed for the holiday.
- Aldi
- Aldi stores are not open on Thanksgiving Day.
Retail Stores Closed on Thanksgiving
- Target
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
- Best Buy
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Kohl’s
- Other department stores like JCPenney and Dillard’s
These retailers have opted to remain closed during Thanksgiving as part of an ongoing trend since 2020 when closures became more common due to pandemic-related concerns about crowding during early Black Friday sales events.
Retail Stores Open Online Only
- While physical retail locations like Walmart, Best Buy, and Macy’s are closed, many of these companies offer online shopping options for Black Friday deals starting as early as Thanksgiving Day itself.
- Examples include:
- Walmart.com
- BestBuy.com
- SamsClub.com
Government Offices
- All federal government offices, including courts and post offices, are closed because Thanksgiving is a national holiday.
- State-level government offices such as DMVs and libraries are also closed.
- The U.S Postal Service (USPS) does not deliver mail or packages on Thanksgiving Day.
- UPS and FedEx services are mostly unavailable except for critical services like UPS Express Critical or FedEx Custom Critical deliveries.
Banks
- Banks across the country observe Thanksgiving as a banking holiday:
- Most bank branches are closed.
- Online banking services and ATMs remain operational.
- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq markets do not trade on this day either.
Pharmacies
- Walgreens: Closed nationwide.
- CVS: Some CVS pharmacy locations may operate limited hours; check locally for details.
- H-E-B Pharmacies: Closed entirely during the holiday.
Summary Table of Major Businesses:
| Category | Open/Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | Mixed | Many major chains open with reduced hours; some fully closed |
| Retail Stores | Mostly Closed | Target, Walmart, Macy’s among others staying shut |
| Government Offices | Closed | Includes USPS mail delivery |
| Banks | Closed | ATMs still available |
| Pharmacies | Mixed | Limited CVS availability; Walgreens & others largely shut |
