What’s Open on Thanksgiving: Your Complete Holiday Checklist
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Quick answer: Here’s what’s open on Thanksgiving 2026. Most big box retailers close for the full day, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, and Home Depot. Banks, the post office, UPS, FedEx, and the stock market also close, since it’s a federal holiday. Pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, urgent care clinics, and movie theaters mostly stay open with shorter hours. Public transit runs on a lighter holiday schedule, and intercity buses keep running close to their normal timetable. Hospitals and emergency rooms stay open around the clock, as always. For the full restaurant breakdown, see our complete guide to restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday where everything in the country closes down, but rather one that depends on what you need to do and whether it follows different rules because of that. Some places will always be closed regardless of where you are. Then some places remain open because people need them on such an occasion. If you’ve typed something like “what’s open on Thanksgiving,” “what open on Thanksgiving,” “open places Thanksgiving,” or “what is open on Thanksgiving” into Google without much punctuation, you’re not alone. The short answer always comes down to what you specifically need that day. This guide covers what’s open on Thanksgiving beyond restaurants, since we already covered those separately.
What is closed everywhere on Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is one of eleven federal holidays in the United States, which means certain institutions close by policy, not by choice. This part of the calendar barely changes year to year.
Are banks open on Thanksgiving?
No, in practice. Thanksgiving is a federal holiday that falls on Thursday, November 26 in 2026. Banks are not legally required to close for a federal holiday, but almost all of them do. Branches, tellers, and drive-through windows all shut down for the day. Online banking still works, but anything routed through the Federal Reserve will not process until the next business day, since the Federal Reserve itself observes the holiday.
Is the post office open on Thanksgiving?
No. USPS confirms that all Post Office locations close for the Thanksgiving federal holiday, with only Priority Mail Express still delivering, since that service runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Regular mail delivery and retail service resume the next business day. Keep this in mind if you’re sending anything time-sensitive around the holiday.
Do UPS and FedEx deliver on Thanksgiving?
No, not for standard service. According to UPS’s official holiday schedule, regular pickup and delivery pause for the day and most UPS Store locations close, though UPS Express Critical stays available year-round for emergencies. FedEx’s holiday schedule follows the same pattern, with standard pickup and delivery suspended and FedEx Office locations closed, while FedEx Custom Critical remains available 24 hours a day. The stock market also closes for the full day, since it treats Thanksgiving as a full holiday.
What major retail stores are closed on Thanksgiving?
Big box retail is where most searches for this topic actually land, and that trend has held steady since the pandemic. Nearly every major chain now treats Thanksgiving as a full closure rather than an early opening day.
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving?
No. Walmart has closed on Thanksgiving every year since 2020, when it closed its doors for the holiday for the first time since the late 1980s. Stores reopen for Black Friday, typically at 6 a.m. local time.
Is Target open on Thanksgiving?
No. Target had made its Thanksgiving Day closing decision permanent even after the pandemic, and has been closed ever since. The stores reopen on the following day for Black Friday, and Target.com and the Target app remain active for online purchases.
Is Costco open on Thanksgiving?
No. Costco warehouses close on Thanksgiving along with most other major holidays on its published holiday calendar.
Is Sam's Club open on Thanksgiving?
No. Sam’s Club follows the same schedule as Costco and closes for the full day.
Are Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe's open on Thanksgiving?
No. All three close for the full day. Home Depot and Lowe’s both reopen the next morning for Black Friday, with many locations opening at 6 a.m.
Are department and clothing stores open on Thanksgiving?
No. Kohl’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Nordstrom, Belk, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense all shut down for the day. TJ Maxx, along with its sister stores, usually opens up again by 7 a.m. the following morning.
Is IKEA open on Thanksgiving?
No. IKEA closes for the full day, like most large furniture and home goods retailers.
What retail stores actually stay open on Thanksgiving?
A select few stores remain open during normal business hours. Dollar General normally operates, though hours vary by store. Big Lots locations that reopened under new ownership after its 2024 bankruptcy typically run 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., though the chain now has a much smaller footprint than before. Hence, it’s worth confirming a nearby location still exists. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are among the few outdoor retailers open on the holiday, generally starting around 9 a.m.
Are government offices and the DMV open on Thanksgiving?
No. City, county, and state government offices close for Thanksgiving along with every other federal holiday, and DMV offices follow the same pattern nationwide. California’s DMV, for example, lists Thanksgiving among its full-year closures, and most state DMV systems close for the same stretch. Courts, public libraries, and city halls typically close as well. Most DMV websites still process online renewals and appointment bookings around the clock, even while the physical office is closed, so an online renewal is usually your fastest option if something is due that week.
What's open on Thanksgiving outside of big retail?
This is the shortlist of everyday stops that plan around the holiday instead of closing for it.
Are pharmacies open on Thanksgiving?
Both CVS and Walgreens usually run shorter hours than usual on Thanksgiving. Opening hours vary by store, so it’s best to check your local hours instead of assuming chain-wide operating times.
What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?
Grocery is the one category where closures and shortened hours run side by side, and hours differ from chain to chain and even store to store. Here is what a typical Thanksgiving looked like across major chains last year, based on reporting from ABC7 Chicago and Patch.
Store | Thanksgiving status |
Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer | Open, closing around 5 p.m |
Albertsons | Open, typically 6 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m |
Acme Markets | Open, typically 7 a.m. to 4 p.m |
Vons | Open, typically 6 a.m. to 3 p.m |
Whole Foods Market | Open with modified hours, often morning only |
Wegmans | Open, typically 6 a.m. to 4 p.m |
Sprouts Farmers Market | Open, typically 7 a.m. to 2 p.m |
Meijer | Open, typically 6 a.m. to 5 p.m |
Jewel Osco | Open; hours vary by store |
Wawa | Open; most locations run normal hours |
Aldi | Closed for the full day |
Trader Joe’s | Closed for the full day |
Publix | Closed for the full day |
Winn Dixie | Closed for the full day |
Costco and Sam’s Club | Closed for the full day |
Grocery pharmacy counters often run on separate hours from the rest of the store, so call ahead if you need a prescription filled.
Are gas stations and travel plazas open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, this is the only category that does not change at all, and it’s one of the most reliable answers if you’re hunting for places open on Thanksgiving near me. Gas stations, convenience stores, and highway rest stops stay open round-the-clock on Thanksgiving Day, since there is no day in the year when a traveler won’t need fuel.
Places such as 7-Eleven, Circle K, Wawa, Sheetz, Love’s, and Pilot Flying J remain open as usual on the holiday. If your way to the bus station leads you through one of them, it will be your best bet for the restroom and food.
What convenience stores are open on Thanksgiving?
Convenience stores run on a different clock than the rest of retail, since most are built around staying open every day of the year. In fact, 7 Eleven, Circle K, Casey’s, Wawa, Sheetz, QuikTrip, and Speedway have regular opening hours on Thanksgiving Day throughout almost all markets. Travel centers such as Love’s, Pilot Flying J, and TravelCenters of America are also open around the clock in highway corridors and thus represent convenient places to stop on the way to your terminal if you are going by bus or picking someone up on Thanksgiving. These stores do not usually announce any holiday opening hours, so you can safely assume that your local store will be open; still, check ahead if you are going somewhere else.
Are urgent care clinics and hospitals open on Thanksgiving?
Health emergencies do not check the calendar, and healthcare providers plan for that.
Are hospitals and emergency rooms open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, always. Hospital emergency departments run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving, with no holiday exceptions.
Is urgent care open on Thanksgiving?
Mostly, but on reduced hours. According to Solv Health, most urgent care clinics stay open on major holidays including Thanksgiving, typically running a shorter schedule such as 8 or 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. rather than their normal close time. Some individual locations do close fully for Thanksgiving and Christmas specifically, even when they stay open for other holidays, so it’s worth calling ahead or checking a real-time locator.
What about primary care and walk-in clinics?
Most doctor’s clinics and walk-in clinics that are not part of an urgent care facility chain are closed for the day. This is exactly the gap urgent care exists to fill, sitting between a closed doctor’s office and a crowded emergency room.
Are emergency veterinary clinics open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, in most cities. An emergency vet clinic is usually open 24/7 year-round for the same reasons that apply to an emergency room, since animal emergencies don’t wait for convenient days.
What about restaurants on Thanksgiving?
Fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s operate normally; eateries like Waffle House and Denny’s remain open round-the-clock. In contrast, chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and Golden Corral provide full holiday meal service. Hours shift by location, so calling ahead beats guessing. We cover every category in detail, along with exact hours and pricing, in our full guide to restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
Are movie theaters and entertainment open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, and for the film industry, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest weekends of the year, not a day to avoid.
Why do movie studios release big films on Thanksgiving?
Families spend the day together with time to fill, and studios lean into that on purpose. CNBC reported that Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator II combined to pull in an estimated $420 million over the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend, the biggest Thanksgiving box office in U.S. and Canadian history, beating the previous record of $315.6 million set in 2018.
What other entertainment options are open?
Casinos rarely close, and most build a dedicated holiday food menu for the day. Bowling alleys and arcades in many cities stay open late into the evening too, which makes them a common stop for families after dinner. If your trip includes a layover in a city with time to spare, it’s worth checking what’s nearby before you arrive.
Is public transportation running on Thanksgiving Day?
Transit does not stop for Thanksgiving, but almost every system runs a lighter version of its normal schedule.
Are intercity buses running on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Intercity carriers run a full or near-full schedule on Thanksgiving Day itself, since it’s one of their busiest days of the year. What actually changes is staffing at the terminal, not the buses. Ticket counters often run shorter hours or a smaller crew, so having your BoletoXpress confirmation and seat number saved on your phone moves you through the station faster than waiting on an agent.
If a schedule change does cause you to miss your departure, our guide to what to do after a missed bus walks through your options, and our guide to intercity bus travel covers what to have ready before you reach any terminal, holiday or not.
Are local transit and subway systems running on Thanksgiving?
Usually, but on a weekend schedule rather than a weekday one. In New York City, for example, the MTA confirms that the subway and buses run on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, while the Staten Island Railway runs a Saturday schedule. If your trip depends on a local transit connection to reach a bus terminal, check that city’s own holiday service page instead of assuming a normal weekday timetable will apply.
When is the best time to travel on Thanksgiving 2026?
If your schedule has any flexibility when booking with BoletoXpress, the data points to one clear answer, and it isn’t the one most people expect.
AAA’s 2025 Thanksgiving forecast projected 81.8 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period, a new overall record, with about 90 percent of that group driving. The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving were flagged as the most congested driving days, with heavy traffic again on the Sunday after as everyone heads home.
Airport data tells a similar story from a different angle. TSA’s own numbers show Thanksgiving Day itself was one of the quieter travel days of 2025, while the Sunday after Thanksgiving set a new single-day screening record at over 3.1 million passengers, the busiest day in TSA history at the time.
Travel by bus, train, and boat combined was projected to rise 8.5 percent for Thanksgiving 2025, to nearly 2.5 million travelers, with AAA noting that buses and trains could see a late surge in last-minute bookings. That surge usually happens once flight prices climb or seats disappear closer to the holiday, which is exactly why booking early on BoletoXpress tends to beat waiting until the week of the trip.
Travel day | Expected crowd level |
Tuesday and Wednesday before | Very heavy |
Thanksgiving Day itself | Light |
Friday and Saturday after | Moderate to heavy |
Sunday after Thanksgiving | Heaviest of the year |
How can you plan your Thanksgiving Day around limited hours?
A few things done the night before save you from standing outside a locked door on the holiday itself. What’s open on Thanksgiving changes store by store, not chain by chain, so any hours listed anywhere, including here, are a starting point rather than a guarantee.
Before you leave home, run through this short list
- Check the store’s hours on Google Maps or Apple Maps, since these are usually updated closer to the holiday than a chain’s own website.
- Use the official store locator for anything important, especially pharmacies and grocery stores, since it lets you filter by zip code and confirm exact hours.
- Call the local branch directly if you are relying on it for something time-sensitive, since franchise locations often set their own hours even under one brand name.
- Handle any banking or mail that cannot wait a day, since banks, the post office, UPS, and FedEx close without exception.
- If you’re traveling, confirm your BoletoXpress departure the morning of, since holiday timetables occasionally shift by an hour from the regular schedule, and build extra time into any local transit connection running on a reduced schedule that day.
Conclusion
Now you know what’s open on Thanksgiving 2026; the pattern is easy to remember. It splits into two categories: what closes because of federal holiday policy, like banks, the post office, and the stock market, and what stays open because travelers and families depend on it, like gas stations, pharmacies, movie theaters, and intercity buses. The most useful thing to plan around is that Thanksgiving Day itself is actually the calmest day to travel, while the days right before and the Sunday after carry the heaviest crowds. Confirm your specific stops the night before, and if a bus is part of your plan, book your seat on BoletoXpress early so a full schedule doesn’t turn into a sold-out one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the bank open on Thanksgiving?
No, nearly all banks close for the full day since Thanksgiving is a federal holiday.
Does the post office deliver mail on Thanksgiving?
No, except for Priority Mail Express, which runs as a 24-hour service every day of the year.
Is the stock market open on Thanksgiving?
No, US markets close for the full day since it’s a federal holiday.
Do UPS and FedEx run on Thanksgiving?
No, standard pickup and delivery pause for the day, though both offer separate emergency critical services.
Are movie theaters open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest box office weekends of the year, with many theaters running full schedules.
Is public transit running on Thanksgiving?
Yes, usually on a reduced weekend schedule rather than a normal weekday one.
Do intercity buses run on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, close to a full schedule, though station ticket counters often run shorter hours.
What day is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26.
What is the least busy day to travel over Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Day itself is typically the quietest day to fly or drive, based on recent TSA and AAA data.
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving?
No. Walmart has closed for Thanksgiving every year since 2020 and reopens the next morning for Black Friday.
Is Target open on Thanksgiving?
No. Target closes for the full day and reopens for Black Friday, though online orders still process.
Is Costco open on Thanksgiving?
No. Costco closes on Thanksgiving along with most other major holidays.
Is CVS open on Thanksgiving?
Most CVS locations open with shorter hours, though exact hours vary by store.
Is Walgreens open on Thanksgiving?
Most Walgreens locations close, except for 24-hour stores, which stay open for pharmacy needs.
Is urgent care open on Thanksgiving?
Many locations stay open on reduced hours, though some clinics close fully for the day, so check ahead.
Is the emergency room open on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Hospital emergency departments run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no holiday exceptions.
What is open on Thanksgiving Day?
Gas stations, pharmacies, some grocery stores, movie theaters, and intercity buses stay open, while banks, the post office, and most big box retailers close for the day.
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving near me?
Search your zip code in a map app or a chain’s store locator, since fast food and diners like Waffle House and Denny’s stay open in most markets nationwide.
What places are open on Thanksgiving?
For places open on Thanksgiving, your best bets are pharmacies, gas stations, grocery stores with reduced hours, movie theaters, and hospitals, while banks and most retail chains close.
What food is open on Thanksgiving near me?
For food open on Thanksgiving near me, fast food chains, diners, and grocery stores with reduced hours are your most reliable bets, alongside any restaurant offering a dedicated holiday menu.
