Grocery Stores on Christmas Day 2025: Christmas brings happiness, food, family time and gifts, but it also brings rush and stress. People run around to buy food, wrap presents and plan meals for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In all this hurry, many people suddenly realize they forgot something important.
At that moment, the biggest question becomes whether the nearest grocery store is open or closed. In the United States, supermarkets follow special timings during Christmas week, so planning ahead becomes very important.
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Christmas Eve hours are Shorter
On December 24, most big grocery stores stay open, but they close earlier than normal. Albertsons usually opens from 6:00 a.m. and closes around 9:00 p.m. Aldi opens later at 9:00 a.m. and shuts by 4:00 p.m. Costco opens from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while Kroger works from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Other popular chains like Publix, Lidl, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Safeway, Wegmans and Whole Foods also open their doors, but many of them close by afternoon or early evening. Store hours can change based on the city or state, so checking the store website or calling the local branch can save time and trouble.
Christmas Day has very limited options
On December 25, most grocery stores across the country remain closed so employees can spend time with their families. Only a few Albertsons locations may open with reduced hours, usually between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m, but many branches do not open at all. Because of this, shoppers should finish buying food, drinks and other essentials before Christmas Day arrives. Waiting until December 25 can leave people with no nearby options.
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New Year’s Day schedules
On December 31, many supermarkets operate close to normal hours, though some close earlier. Albertsons may stay open until 11:00 p.m. Costco usually closes by 6:00 p.m., and Trader Joe’s shuts around 5:00 p.m. On January 1, several stores return to regular hours, but some chains like Aldi, Costco, Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club remain closed. Stores such as Whole Foods, Publix, Wegmans and Piggly Wiggly generally open, but hours may still differ by location.
