Maybe you just realized that amid the holiday insanity you forgot to get a present for Aunt Enid. Perhaps you somehow don’t have a key ingredient for Christmas dinner. Or maybe you just want to get away from the family for a bit. Whatever the reason, you’re in a bind.
Finding an open store of any variety on Christmas Day is a challenge in the best of times. In a pandemic year with labor shortages, it’s especially tough—but you do have a few options.
Here’s a list of what may be open near you. Hours may vary, and just because a chain says it’s open doesn’t mean your nearest location will be. Some municipalities also have laws prohibiting major stores from opening on Christmas. Before you head out, it’s always a good idea to check first.
Grocery stores open on Christmas
7-Eleven
Acme
Albertson’s
Big Saver Foods
Giant Food Stores
Pavilions
Safeway
Super King Markets
Vons
Wawa
Grocery stores closed on Christmas
Aldi
BJ’s Wholesale
Costco
Food Lion
The Fresh Market
HEB
Kroger
Publix
Ralphs
Stop & Shop
Trader Joe’s
Wegmans
Whole Foods
Winn-Dixie
Retailers open on Christmas
Amazon (It’s never too late for a gift certificate from the online retailer.)
Circle K
CVS
Family Dollar (Select locations)
Rite Aid
Sheetz
Starbucks
Walgreens
Most major movie theater chains
Retailers closed on Christmas
Pretty much everyone else, including most Walmart and Target stores, but many will be open early on Dec. 26 for year-end clearance sales.
Never miss a story: Follow your favorite topics and authors to get a personalized email with the journalism that matters most to you.
