Big Lots Christmas Hours 2025: 5 Crucial Facts You Need To Know Before December 25th

Planning a last-minute shopping run for holiday essentials on December 25, 2025? Before you head out the door for that final bag of stocking stuffers, festive decor, or emergency batteries, you need to know the definitive answer to one of the most common holiday retail questions: Is Big Lots open on Christmas Day? The short answer, as of the current 2025 holiday schedule, is a firm No. Big Lots stores nationwide will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2025, allowing their valued associates time off to celebrate the Christmas holiday with family and friends. This closure is a consistent policy for the discount retailer, but understanding the hours for Christmas Eve and the days immediately surrounding the holiday is crucial for any savvy shopper.

This comprehensive guide will break down the essential Big Lots holiday hours for the entire season, from extended shopping windows leading up to the big day to their operating schedule for New Year’s. Knowing the precise times will help you navigate the busiest shopping period of the year, ensuring you snag all the necessary deals on furniture, groceries, and seasonal merchandise without any last-minute panic or wasted trips.

The Definitive 2025 Big Lots Holiday Schedule Breakdown

For shoppers relying on Big Lots for their seasonal needs, understanding the specific operating times for the busiest days of the year is non-negotiable. While the store is closed on Christmas Day, the hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day are often modified, making a quick check essential. Here is the most up-to-date schedule for the major winter holidays in 2025.

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• Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27, 2025): Open (Typically 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with variations).
• Black Friday (Friday, November 28, 2025): Open with Extended Hours (Often opens very early, around 6:00 AM).
• Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24, 2025): Open with Modified/Reduced Hours (Stores typically close early, often between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM).
• Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25, 2025): CLOSED (Nationwide policy).
• Day After Christmas (Thursday, December 26, 2025): Open (Likely returning to extended holiday hours or regular hours).
• New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2025): Open (Likely modified hours, closing slightly early).
• New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1, 2026): Open (Often 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, or regular hours).

Critical Shopper Advisory: Although the above schedule reflects the general corporate policy, Big Lots strongly advises customers to use the store locator tool on their official website or call their local Big Lots store directly to confirm specific operating hours. Local management reserves the right to adjust store hours based on regional sales volume and staffing needs.

Why Big Lots Closes on Christmas Day: A Corporate Policy Deep Dive

The decision to close all Big Lots locations on December 25th is part of a broader corporate philosophy that prioritizes employee well-being during the major holidays. Unlike some smaller convenience stores or pharmacies, Big Lots is a major discount retailer that chooses to give its thousands of employees—from stocking associates to store managers—a full day off to spend with their families.

This policy places Big Lots in the same category as other major national retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco, all of whom consistently remain closed on Christmas Day. The holiday season is incredibly demanding on retail staff, who often work extended, late-night, and early-morning shifts from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. The Christmas Day closure serves as a well-deserved break before the post-holiday rush of returns and clearance sales begins on December 26th.

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For the customer, this means that any last-minute shopping must be completed on Christmas Eve. Missing the early closing time on December 24th will leave you without access to essential items like wrapping paper, last-minute gifts, holiday snacks, or replacement home decor until the store reopens the following day.

Maximize Your Shopping: The Power of Extended Holiday Hours

While the Christmas Day closure might seem restrictive, Big Lots compensates for it by offering significantly extended shopping hours throughout the month of December. This is a key strategy for the retailer, which does a substantial volume of business during the holiday season, particularly in categories like furniture, holiday decorations, and seasonal food items.

Extended Shopping Window Details

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many Big Lots stores will operate with extended hours. Historically, this has meant stores are open from as early as 8:00 a.m. and remain open until as late as 11:00 p.m. for most of December. This gives shoppers an extra hour or two on either end of the day compared to the standard operating schedule.

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• Avoid the Crowds: Use the extended morning hours (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) to shop when the store is least crowded, a perfect time for picking up large items or browsing the Christmas clearance items without the rush.
• Late-Night Runs: The later closing time (up to 11 p.m.) is ideal for those who work a standard day shift and need to pick up essentials after dinner. This is especially useful for last-minute gift wrapping supplies or festive treats.
• Key Merchandise: Extended hours are crucial for accessing the popular seasonal inventory, including Big Lots’ exclusive holiday decor collections, affordable Christmas trees, and the extensive selection of budget-friendly stocking stuffers and toys.

The extended hours are a direct response to customer demand, providing flexibility during the busiest shopping period of the year. This is the time to stock up on everything from kitchen essentials to festive home accents.

Beyond Christmas: Key Hours for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

The two most frequently misunderstood holiday operating times are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Confusing these hours can lead to a frustrating experience for shoppers.

Christmas Eve (December 24, 2025): The Early Closure Trap

On Christmas Eve, Big Lots stores operate on a modified schedule, meaning they close significantly earlier than their typical extended December hours. While some sources suggest "regular hours," the general and most reliable pattern is an early closure, often between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. This early closing is designed to ensure employees can get home at a reasonable time to prepare for the holiday. If you need to purchase a final gift, a forgotten ingredient, or a last-minute roll of tape, you must plan to arrive well before the 7 p.m. cutoff.

New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026): Open for Business

In stark contrast to Christmas Day, Big Lots is typically open on New Year's Day. This is a critical detail for shoppers looking for post-holiday clearance deals or those needing to use gift cards. The hours are usually modified but generous, often running from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This makes Big Lots a prime destination for early-year shopping, whether you're looking for deep discounts on holiday merchandise or getting a jump start on organizing your home with new storage solutions and small furniture pieces.

Alternatives: Where to Shop When Big Lots is Closed

Since Big Lots is closed on Christmas Day, you will need to seek out retailers that maintain a 24-hour or open-holiday policy for emergency needs. These essential businesses typically include:

• Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens are often open on Christmas Day, though hours may be reduced or limited to specific locations. They are excellent sources for emergency medical supplies, batteries, snacks, and small convenience items.
• Gas Stations/Convenience Stores: Chains like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and independent gas stations are almost always open and can provide basic groceries, drinks, and last-minute stocking stuffers.
• Grocery Stores (Limited): While most major supermarkets are closed, some smaller, regional grocery stores or specialty food markets may operate with severely reduced hours.

In summary, for the 2025 holiday season, your shopping strategy must center around the fact that Big Lots will be CLOSED on Christmas Day. Plan to complete all essential purchasing by the early closing time on Christmas Eve to avoid disappointment and ensure you have everything you need for a stress-free holiday celebration.