You know that moment – turkey roasting in the oven, pies wobbling on top, and someone hollering from the other room: “Cranberry sauce! We forgot the cranberry sauce again!” Naturally, heads snap toward the door. Question is: Is Walmart even open today?
For years, many of us assumed the mega-store would be there – glowing lights, sliding doors, the faint hum of players announcing specials over a tinny speaker. But lately, things have changed. That’s why knowing the latest on Walmart Thanksgiving store hours isn’t just useful – it’s essential.
If you’re in the Bay Area, Texas, New York City, Chicago, North Dakota, or anywhere in between, you don’t want to end up staring at closed doors when you meant to grab aluminum foil, that forgotten gravy boat, or holiday gifts. I’ve done that drive. Twice. Not fun.
So I dug into this year’s official updates, talked to people across different states, and mapped out what to expect for Thanksgiving 2025, so this year your last-minute errands don’t crash your feast.
What Is “Walmart Thanksgiving Hours 2025” – and Why It Matters
At its simplest, this topic answers one question: Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving Day – and if not, when does it reopen?
That answer matters for more than just groceries. For many families, Walmart is a fallback for missing ingredients, forgotten wrapping paper, or impulsive Black Friday-prepping. Historically, retailers like Walmart kept their doors open even on Thanksgiving to cater to early holiday shoppers.
But starting in 2020, a shift began. Walmart decided to close all U.S. stores on Thanksgiving Day, giving employees time off with their families.
That change stuck. As of 2025, Walmart is closed nationwide on Thanksgiving.
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Why does this matter to you? Because assuming “it’ll be open” risks disaster. Empty parking lot, locked doors, and you – stuck with no substitute. Especially if you live somewhere far from a 24/7 convenience store.
Common Misconceptions – What People Keep Getting Wrong
Before we get into how to plan ahead, let’s clear up what people often misunderstand about Walmart’s holiday hours.
Myth 1: “Walmart is open Thanksgiving morning just like regular days.”
Truth is – nope. As of 2025, Walmart stores are closed all day on Thanksgiving.
Myth 2: “Maybe only some Walmarts are closed – the small ones, but not big Supercenters.”
Wrong again. The closure applies to all U.S. store formats – Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, the works.
Myth 3: “It’s fine, I’ll just shop online on Walmart.com and use same-day pickup.”
Not always reliable. While Walmart.com stays up 24/7, pickup slots and same-day delivery may be limited on holidays.
What Happens Instead: Black Friday and Normal 2025 Hours
If you thought “closed on Thanksgiving” meant Walmart skipping the holiday rush entirely – think again.
Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025): Closed everywhere.
Black Friday (Nov 28, 2025): Stores reopen, usually at 6:00 a.m. local time – often with doorbuster deals and heavy crowds.
Regular days (outside holidays): Typical hours remain 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for most locations.
If you’re planning any holiday shopping, food prep, or gifting – the window to visit Walmart is either before Thanksgiving Day or on/after Black Friday.
Step-by-Step: How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Shopping – Without the Stress
Here’s how I’d do it if I were prepping Thanksgiving from scratch:
- Make a “Holiday Essentials” list early – at least a few days before Thanksgiving. Turkey, foil, tablecloth, extra batteries, last-minute gifts – everything.
- Check your local store hours by Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving). Use the official Walmart Store Finder or call the store directly; don’t trust third-party websites blindly.
- If you see “Closed” for Thanksgiving, shift your plan – shop earlier (like Tuesday or Wednesday), or consider alternate stores (local grocery, convenience store).
- If you need non-food items (electronics, toys, etc.), consider waiting for Black Friday – Walmart reopens early Friday morning, and that’s when many deals drop.
- For convenience: use online ordering & pickup (if available) – but only if you placed the order well before Thanksgiving Day; pickup slots go fast, and delivery is unreliable on holidays.
Picture this: your sister calls late Tuesday night saying you forgot pie cool whip. Instead of rushing out Thursday morning only to find closed doors – you glance at your list, fire up the Walmart app, see it’s closed, and just order what you need online for Friday pickup. Calm saved.
Real-World Use Cases: Who This Schedule Impacts – And How
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Tech professionals, young families, busy urban dwellers – many rely on late hours, but with Thanksgiving closure, they need to plan earlier. If you assumed you could swing by after work Thursday – nope. Stock up by Wednesday night.
New York City
For city folks used to 24/7 access, this is a shock. Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens – even there, store closures hit hard. If you live in an apartment and forgot dinner supplies, you’ll need a Plan B (grocery store, deli, or convenience mart) – or order early online.
Texas (Dallas, Austin, Houston etc.)
Cities down there often treat Thanksgiving as a warm-up to Black Friday. So for many, that 6 a.m. Friday reopening becomes the new “holiday rush start.” If you want deals on big-ticket items (electronics, toys, décor), aim for Friday early morning.
North Dakota & Smaller Towns / Rural Areas
Fewer store alternatives. If you run out of something – you might have to drive far. In rural zones especially, relying on convenience stores or small-town markets is wise. Don’t assume you can get everything last-minute.
Pro Tips & Best Practices From Someone Who’s Been Scrambling
- Stock up before Wednesday night. Skip the possibility of disappointment – get what you need before Thanksgiving Day.
- Save the store phone number. If you’re unsure, call. A quick call takes 2 minutes; a wasted drive takes 30.
- Use Walmart.com – early. If you order online by Tuesday or Wednesday, you have better chances of getting items delivered or ready for pickup after the holiday.
- Use local alternatives for urgent groceries. Convenience stores, local supermarkets, or small markets often stay open when Walmarts don’t.
- Plan Black Friday carefully. If you’re zeroing in on deals – get there early Friday morning. Parking, lines, crowds – they hit hard.
Especially in Smaller Towns – Don’t Count on Just One Option
If you live in a smaller community, you already know how unpredictable store hours can be during the holidays. One place might close early, another may switch to limited staff, and before you know it you’re driving across town hoping someone still has what you need. That’s why it’s smart not to depend on only one store. Have a couple of backups in mind, especially if you’re preparing for Thanksgiving and don’t want any last-minute surprises.
Tools and Resources That Actually Help
When you’re trying to figure out who’s open and who isn’t, it helps to have a few reliable tools on hand. The easiest place to start is Walmart’s own store finder – it gives you the hours for your closest location and usually reflects the latest updates.
For everything else, the Walmart app or website is useful too. You can check what’s in stock, place an order ahead of time, or set up pickup for the next available slot so you’re not scrambling.
And if Walmart ends up being closed or picked over, it never hurts to check the smaller grocery stores or nearby markets in your area. Those places can be lifesavers when you’re missing just one ingredient or need something quick.
Final Thoughts – Why This Change Matters
Walmart is no longer just a store during walmart holiday hours for Thanksgiving. It’s a planning checkpoint.
Closing on Thanksgiving forces you – yes, you reading this – to think ahead. Make your list. Check your store. Buy what you need by Wednesday. Or rely on smaller local stores, or use Walmart’s online options.
It’s easy to resent the lack of convenience at first glance. But maybe that’s the point – to nudge us toward planning, care, forethought. To make us pause, maybe laugh at ourselves for forgetting the gravy, and to remind us that holidays work better without frantic trips and slammed doors.
If you want to stay ahead of the chaos this season: double-check your local Walmart hours now. Save them. Screenshot them. Store number in your phone. Because once the oven’s on and the pies are cooling, you don’t want to be scrambling.
If you found this useful – or if you have your own last-minute Thanksgiving Walmart story – leave a comment. I’d love to hear how it went for you.
Happy planning. And happy Thanksgiving – hassle-free.
