Shoppers across the United States are asking is Walmart open on Thanksgiving Day as the holiday arrives in 2025. The most current and verified information confirms that every Walmart store in the country is closed today, continuing a policy the company has upheld for several consecutive years. This closure applies to Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and smaller-format locations, meaning no in-store shopping, no grocery runs, and no pickup or delivery services today.
Walmart’s decision has become a defining part of the modern holiday retail landscape. As families gather, prepare large meals, and travel across states, many expect to make last-minute stops for forgotten items. Yet Walmart’s doors stay locked for the entire day, reinforcing the company’s approach of giving all employees a guaranteed holiday at home. This policy has shaped how millions of households plan Thanksgiving week, and 2025 continues that trend.
Why Walmart Is Closed on Thanksgiving in 2025
Walmart’s Thanksgiving closure is part of a long-term shift in how the retailer manages its holiday hours. The company made a permanent commitment several years ago to keep stores closed every Thanksgiving as a way to support work-life balance for employees. The choice remains consistent each year, with the same schedule confirmed again entering the 2025 holiday season.
This year, the closure means several things:
- No stores are open at any time today.
- Pharmacy counters, MoneyCenter services, Vision Center services, and all in-store departments are unavailable.
- Pickup and delivery windows are blocked for the date.
- No special hours, partial openings, or individual store exceptions exist.
The closure affects all regions equally. Whether in large metro centers or small rural markets, the doors remain shut. Because Walmart is one of America’s most visited stores during the holiday season, this policy impacts millions of shoppers who may be accustomed to last-minute runs for ingredients, kitchenware, toys, or household basics.
How Walmart’s Closure Shapes the Holiday Week
The nationwide shutdown on Thanksgiving Day has shifted how U.S. shoppers prepare for the holiday. Many customers base their plans around Walmart’s hours because of the retailer’s massive grocery stock, extended hours during most of the year, and large seasonal inventory.
With stores closed, shoppers tend to:
- Finish grocery shopping earlier in the week.
- Purchase meal ingredients, baking supplies, and beverages by Wednesday night.
- Stock up on essentials like batteries, cookware, and cleaning products long before the holiday.
- Adjust shopping lists to avoid needing replacements or forgotten items on Thanksgiving morning.
This adjustment has led to a noticeable pattern year after year: a sharp increase in foot traffic on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Customers often plan large hauls ahead of the closure because they know the convenience of Walmart won’t be available on the holiday itself.
When Walmart Reopens After Thanksgiving
Stores reopen on Friday, November 28, 2025, for the start of the Black Friday shopping event, which remains one of the largest retail days of the year. Most stores open early in the morning, often around 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., though schedules vary by individual location.
Once doors open, shoppers can expect:
- Fully stocked aisles refreshed overnight.
- Expanded staff to manage Black Friday crowds.
- Strong traffic as customers combine regular grocery trips with major deal-hunting.
- Promotions focused on electronics, home goods, toys, and seasonal décor.
Because the stores have been closed for a full day, pent-up demand typically leads to heavy early-morning turnout. Many shoppers use Friday as an opportunity to replace items used during Thanksgiving dinner, restock holiday staples, and begin gift shopping.
Thanksgiving Day Schedule Overview for 2025
Here is a snapshot of Walmart’s holiday schedule for this week:
| Date | Walmart Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 | Closed | Nationwide closure for Thanksgiving. No services available. |
| Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 | Open | Stores reopen early in the morning for Black Friday events. |
This schedule has become stable and predictable, helping families plan around Walmart’s limited availability during the holiday.
How the Closure Affects In-Store Services
Walmart’s size means that the closure doesn’t only affect general shopping. Several key shopper services are also unavailable today:
Pharmacy Services
Walmart pharmacies are closed, including prescription pickup and consultation services. Customers with medication needs must plan ahead, especially those requiring refills or urgent pickup.
Money Services and Financial Tools
MoneyCenter locations are closed, which affects:
- Check cashing
- Money transfers
- Bill payments
- Prepaid card services
Customers relying on these services must visit before the holiday or wait until stores reopen Friday morning.
Vision Centers
All Vision Centers inside Walmart locations are closed. Eyeglasses pickup, repairs, and appointments resume the next business day.
Walmart Pickup and Delivery
The retailer’s online grocery service remains paused for Thanksgiving Day. Time slots are unavailable, meaning customers cannot arrange curbside pickup or same-day delivery until after the holiday.
How Shoppers Are Adjusting in 2025
As Walmart continues its policy, many households have formed new habits that revolve around early planning. Thanksgiving shopping lists have grown more detailed, and shoppers now organize their grocery trips with greater awareness of store hours.
Common adjustments include:
- Buying frozen items and canned goods earlier than usual.
- Double-checking recipes to make sure no ingredients are forgotten.
- Purchasing extra kitchen materials in case of larger gatherings.
- Coordinating group meals with family members to avoid last-minute shortages.
These changes help families avoid frustration on a day when one of the country’s most reliable retailers isn’t open.
Black Friday Expectations After the Holiday
Once Thanksgiving ends, the attention shifts to Black Friday. Walmart’s Black Friday events have long been a major part of the holiday shopping season. With doors closed on Thursday, the Friday rush tends to intensify because many customers combine their usual weekly shopping with the hunt for holiday deals.
Shoppers can expect:
- Large crowds early in the morning.
- Quick movement of popular items like televisions, smart devices, gaming consoles, cookware, and gift sets.
- Extended store hours through the weekend in many locations.
- Busy aisles in grocery sections as shoppers restock after holiday meals.
Some customers prefer to shop online overnight, while others visit the store once it reopens. The closed Thanksgiving Day window concentrates much of the in-person activity into Friday morning.
Why Walmart’s Policy Matters to U.S. Families
The question is Walmart open on Thanksgiving Day has become one of the most searched retail questions in late November each year. The company’s decision affects millions because Walmart plays a unique role in American shopping routines. For many households, it is the primary store for groceries, home essentials, and seasonal goods. When it closes for a full day, shoppers need to adapt.
This policy has broad significance:
- It highlights a shift in work-life culture among large U.S. retailers.
- It encourages customers to plan meals and home gatherings more carefully.
- It changes community shopping patterns for the entire week of the holiday.
- It sets expectations for other national chains that may adjust their own hours.
The closure is not just a store schedule decision. It has become a defining part of how Americans prepare for Thanksgiving.
Planning Tips for Shoppers for the Remainder of the Weekend
For those preparing for large gatherings, traveling across states, or hosting multiple days of events after Thanksgiving, Walmart’s reopening on Friday offers a reliable chance to restock.
Shoppers may want to consider:
- Arriving early Friday to avoid long lines.
- Checking local store hours online before heading out.
- Making a list in advance to move quickly through crowded aisles.
- Planning additional trips over the weekend when traffic decreases slightly.
- Using self-checkout or mobile tools to save time.
Walmart typically maintains strong inventory through the holiday weekend, particularly in household essentials, beverages, baking supplies, and seasonal decorations.
Final Thoughts on Walmart’s Thanksgiving Hours in 2025
As the holiday unfolds today, Walmart’s nationwide closure stands firm. The company’s consistent policy gives workers a day off and encourages shoppers to prepare earlier in the week. For families, this means taking a more organized approach to their holiday plans and shifting certain errands to Friday when Walmart reopens for one of the biggest shopping events of the year.
If you’ve already visited Walmart earlier this week or plan to stop by on Friday, feel free to share how the closure changes your holiday planning. Your experiences help others navigate the Thanksgiving rush more smoothly.