The Definitive List of 30+ Stores & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Crucial Hours Revealed)

The Definitive List Of 30+ Stores & Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Crucial Hours Revealed)

The Definitive List of 30+ Stores & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Crucial Hours Revealed)

Planning your Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 27, 2025, requires knowing which essential services, grocery stores, and restaurants will be operating. While the trend continues for major big-box retailers to remain closed, a significant number of convenience stores, pharmacies, and dining establishments will open their doors, often with reduced holiday hours, to serve those in need of last-minute purchases or a prepared meal. This comprehensive guide provides the most current and verified information to help you navigate the holiday with ease, ensuring you don't run out of cranberry sauce or have to skip a holiday movie.

The key to a stress-free holiday is preparation, but life happens. Whether you forgot a critical ingredient, need a prescription refill, or simply prefer to dine out instead of cooking, this list details over 30 entities expected to be open, along with the major chains that have committed to closing for the holiday, allowing their employees to spend time with family.

Essential Services and Convenience Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2025

For those inevitable last-minute purchases—be it a forgotten spice, emergency batteries, or a quick snack—convenience stores and pharmacies are your best bet. While many operate with reduced hours, their doors are typically open for most of the day on November 27, 2025. Always check with your local branch for exact operating times, as they can vary significantly by location.

  • CVS: Most retail store locations are expected to be open, though many will operate on reduced holiday hours. Crucially, CVS Pharmacy locations may have separate, and often more limited, hours, so call ahead for prescription needs.
  • Walgreens: Similar to CVS, Walgreens retail stores are generally open on Thanksgiving Day, but pharmacy hours often differ and are significantly reduced or closed entirely.
  • 7-Eleven: As a 24/7 convenience chain, most 7-Eleven locations will remain open around the clock, providing a reliable option for late-night or early-morning needs.
  • Dollar General: Many Dollar General stores are expected to be open, offering a wide range of household goods and basic groceries.
  • Big Lots: This retail chain is one of the few national retailers that often opens on Thanksgiving, with anticipated hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for last-minute home goods and gifts.
  • Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s: For outdoor enthusiasts, these stores are typically open with limited hours, such as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering a break from the holiday hustle.

Grocery Stores for Last-Minute Essentials

Running out of butter or needing an extra bag of potatoes is a common Thanksgiving scenario. Many regional and national grocery chains will be open for a limited period, typically closing in the early to mid-afternoon to allow employees to enjoy the evening. It is vital to complete your shopping before 4 p.m.

Key Grocery Chains Expected to Be Open (with reduced hours):

  • Kroger Family Stores: This includes Kroger, Ralphs, Smith's, King Soopers, and Fry's. Most locations will be open with limited holiday hours, often closing by 4 p.m.
  • Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods is generally open, but with significantly reduced hours, such as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., catering to those needing organic or specialty ingredients.
  • Albertsons & Safeway: These chains, along with their affiliates like ACME Markets and Giant Food, are expected to be open for limited hours in the morning and early afternoon.
  • Sprouts Farmers Market: This specialty grocer is a reliable option for last-minute produce and natural foods, typically open for a limited schedule.
  • Wegman's: Most Wegman's locations are known to close early on Thanksgiving, often by 4 p.m., making early morning shopping essential.
  • Food Lion: A regional favorite, Food Lion is expected to be open for reduced hours to serve the community.

Dining Out: Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Meals 2025

For many, Thanksgiving means ditching the cooking entirely and enjoying a pre-made meal at a restaurant. Whether you're looking for a traditional turkey dinner or just a quick bite, a vast array of fast-food and casual dining chains will be open on November 27, 2025. Many of these establishments offer special Thanksgiving menus or holiday plate options.

Casual Dining & Traditional Turkey Dinners:

  • Cracker Barrel: A Thanksgiving staple, Cracker Barrel typically offers a traditional holiday meal for dine-in or heat-and-serve take-home options.
  • Bob Evans: Known for its "Farmhouse Feast," Bob Evans is a popular choice for both dine-in and carry-out Thanksgiving meals.
  • Denny's & IHOP: These 24/7 diners are almost always open on major holidays, offering their full menu along with holiday specials.
  • Boston Market: Expected to be open, offering individual holiday meals or family-style take-home dinners.
  • Maggiano's Little Italy & Buca di Beppo: These Italian chains often offer special holiday menus, providing an alternative to the traditional turkey and stuffing.
  • Golden Corral: The buffet chain is known for its expansive Thanksgiving buffet, featuring turkey, ham, and all the fixings.

Fast-Food Chains Generally Open (Hours Vary):

Most major fast-food restaurants operate on Thanksgiving, though hours are often reduced, and many locations are independently owned and may choose to close. Always check the specific location before driving over.

  • McDonald's
  • Burger King
  • Wendy's
  • Popeyes
  • Arby's
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • White Castle
  • Baskin-Robbins

Major Retailers and Essential Services That Will Be CLOSED

In recent years, a strong movement has emerged among major retailers to keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, allowing their employees a well-deserved holiday break before the intense Black Friday rush. This is a crucial list for holiday shoppers, as you should not expect to find any doorbuster deals on Thursday.

Major Retail Chains CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day 2025:

  • Walmart: Remains closed, continuing its recent tradition of prioritizing employee time off.
  • Target: Will be closed. Target's Black Friday deals will likely begin online and in-store on Friday.
  • Costco & Sam's Club: All warehouse clubs are closed.
  • Best Buy: Closed.
  • Home Depot & Lowe's: All home improvement stores are closed.
  • Kohl's & Macy's: Most major department stores will be closed.
  • Aldi & Trader Joe's: These grocery chains traditionally remain closed.

Government and Financial Services CLOSED:

As Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, virtually all government and financial services will be shut down. Plan accordingly for banking and mail needs.

  • Banks: All major banks are closed for in-person services. ATM and online services remain available.
  • Post Office (USPS): No mail delivery or in-person services.
  • Stock Market: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ are closed.
  • Federal and State Government Offices: All non-essential government offices are closed.

Entertainment and Travel Options for Thanksgiving Day

For those looking to escape the house or entertain guests, a few key entertainment and travel services remain operational on Thanksgiving Day 2025.

Movie Theaters: Movie theaters are a popular Thanksgiving Day activity. Major chains like AMC Theatres, B&B Theatres, and Megaplex Theatres typically open their doors, often with matinee and evening showtimes, making it a perfect family outing.

Gas Stations and Travel Centers: Gas stations, including those with convenience stores (like those owned by major oil companies), will be open to serve holiday travelers. They are a reliable source for fuel, snacks, and drinks throughout the day.

National Parks: While visitor centers may be closed, the grounds of many national and state parks remain open for hiking and outdoor activities, offering a great way to "Opt Outside" before the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

A Final Word on Black Friday Shopping:

With most major retailers closed on Thanksgiving Day, the traditional Black Friday holiday shopping experience is now firmly consolidated into online sales starting on Thursday and in-store openings beginning early Friday morning. If you are looking for deals, your best bet is to check retailer websites on Thursday, November 27, 2025, or plan to be in line for the early Black Friday store openings on Friday, November 28, 2025.

The Definitive List of 30+ Stores & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Crucial Hours Revealed)
The Definitive List of 30+ Stores & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Crucial Hours Revealed)

Details

what is open on thanksgiving day
what is open on thanksgiving day

Details

what is open on thanksgiving day
what is open on thanksgiving day

Details

Detail Author:

  • Name : Miss Eileen Herzog II
  • Username : hattie.rohan
  • Email : batz.antonetta@rutherford.com
  • Birthdate : 1970-01-12
  • Address : 386 Camron Mews Suite 016 Lanefort, IA 27014-3259
  • Phone : 207-208-3286
  • Company : Farrell, Ledner and Bradtke
  • Job : Extraction Worker
  • Bio : Ut ipsum velit ut alias beatae a perferendis. Et et omnis aliquam molestias in. Expedita perferendis minima aut odit dolorem.

Socials

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/emery_oberbrunner
  • username : emery_oberbrunner
  • bio : Ut expedita labore saepe natus. Atque commodi sit nihil. Asperiores sequi deserunt blanditiis aut.
  • followers : 999
  • following : 1593