Grocery stores open on Thanksgiving Day play a crucial role for millions of Americans who need last-minute essentials, and the 2025 holiday schedules now offer a clear picture of which major chains will operate on November 27. Updated store policies for this year show that only a select group of grocery retailers will open, most with shortened hours to make room for holiday staffing and family time. For shoppers preparing turkeys, side dishes, desserts, or quick meals, knowing which stores remain available can prevent stressful, unexpected holiday interruptions.
Why Holiday Grocery Hours Matter More Than Ever
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest cooking days in the United States. From large family gatherings to small home celebrations, holiday preparation often requires multiple trips to the store. Even the best planners may discover they are missing butter for the mashed potatoes, broth for stuffing, or last-minute seasoning.
Because many national chains now close entirely on Thanksgiving, the few that remain open become incredibly important. Retail policies continue shifting, and 2025 marks another year where more companies prioritize a full holiday for their employees. As a result, understanding which stores open and which close has become an essential part of Thanksgiving planning.
This detailed guide breaks down every major supermarket chain with confirmed 2025 Thanksgiving schedules, helping shoppers make quick and reliable decisions.
Chains Confirmed to OPEN on Thanksgiving Day 2025
Only a handful of major grocery brands will open nationwide. All are operating with reduced hours.
Food Lion
Food Lion remains one of the most dependable grocery stores for Thanksgiving morning trips. All locations will open with shortened hours that typically fall between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Customers will find:
- A full selection of produce
- Bread, rolls, and bakery goods
- Refrigerated essentials such as milk, cheese, and butter
- Pantry staples like flour, sugar, and spices
Food Lion tends to experience high traffic in the early hours, especially in the fresh meat, bakery, and dairy departments. Because the stores close mid-afternoon, shoppers should plan morning visits to avoid stock shortages.
Wegmans
Wegmans will operate for part of the day and will close around 4 p.m. The chain maintains a consistent holiday schedule year after year, making it one of the most dependable full-service grocery options on Thanksgiving.
Shoppers can expect:
- Hot food bars open for limited hours
- A strong bakery selection, including pies and desserts
- Fresh produce and specialty items
- Holiday meal pick-ups for customers who pre-ordered
The store’s prepared food offerings draw many customers early, so arriving before noon helps avoid long lines.
Kroger and Kroger-Affiliated Stores
Kroger and its family of regional supermarket brands will open with early closures around 3 p.m. This includes well-known grocery names such as:
- King Soopers
- Fry’s
- Ralphs
- Smith’s
- Dillon’s
- Fred Meyer (grocery section)
Throughout these chains, grocery aisles remain open, but the in-store pharmacies will close for the entire day. Kroger-owned stores typically offer strong inventory for key holiday items, especially in produce, meat, frozen foods, and baking categories.
Shoppers should consider visiting earlier in the day to secure ingredients that usually sell out quickly, including whipped topping, cream cheese, and poultry seasoning.
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods will open in most states with predictable hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Select locations in states with strict holiday laws, such as Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, will remain closed.
Open locations will offer:
- Fresh bakery goods
- Organic meats and produce
- Holiday meal pick-up counters
- Limited hot bar and prepared foods options
Whole Foods typically sees steady traffic from customers picking up pre-ordered meals or last-minute specialty ingredients, including gluten-free, vegan, and organic items.
CVS
Most CVS stores nationwide will open on Thanksgiving, particularly those that operate 24 hours. Regular CVS locations may reduce hours, and pharmacy counters will vary by location.
CVS is not a full grocery store, but it can be extremely helpful for:
- Milk, eggs, butter, and simple baking items
- Snacks and beverages
- Spices, foil, and basic cooking supplies
- Over-the-counter medications
It’s a reliable backup option when traditional grocery stores close early.
Walgreens (Select Locations)
Walgreens will keep only its 24-hour stores open for the holiday, while most other locations will close. Essential products such as snacks, beverages, basic groceries, and household items will be available. Pharmacy services may be limited or fully closed depending on the location.
Major Chains CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day 2025
The list of stores that close for Thanksgiving continues to grow, and several of the country’s largest supermarket brands will not open at all this year.
Walmart
All Walmart stores will be closed, continuing the trend the company established several years ago. This closure applies to supercenters, neighborhood markets, and Walmart grocery departments.
Target
Target will remain closed nationwide. The company made its Thanksgiving closure a permanent policy and has maintained it consistently.
Publix
All Publix stores in the Southeast will stay closed for the holiday. The chain is known for keeping Thanksgiving a full rest day for employees.
Costco
Costco closes for nearly all major holidays, and Thanksgiving is no exception. All warehouses in the U.S. will be closed.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club locations will be closed for Thanksgiving, continuing the company’s normal holiday schedule.
Aldi
All Aldi stores across the country will remain closed. The chain’s holiday closures are consistent and longstanding.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s stores will be closed nationwide. The company rarely adjusts this policy, and 2025 brings no change.
Lidl
Lidl U.S. stores will be closed on Thanksgiving. Its holiday schedule remains in line with other European-based grocery chains operating in the United States.
Detailed Table: Thanksgiving Day 2025 Grocery Store Status
| Grocery Chain | Open or Closed | Holiday Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Food Lion | Open | 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Wegmans | Open | Until 4 p.m. |
| Kroger & Affiliates | Open | Until ~3 p.m. |
| Whole Foods | Open (most states) | 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| CVS | Open | Reduced hours |
| Walgreens (24-hour locations) | Open | 24 hours |
| Walmart | Closed | — |
| Target | Closed | — |
| Publix | Closed | — |
| Trader Joe’s | Closed | — |
| Aldi | Closed | — |
| Lidl | Closed | — |
| Costco | Closed | — |
| Sam’s Club | Closed | — |
Why More Stores Are Staying Closed Each Year
The retail landscape has shifted significantly over the past decade. Thanksgiving used to be a major in-store shopping day, especially when early Black Friday promotions began. Now, the cultural and corporate approach has changed.
Key reasons grocery retailers remain closed:
- Increased priority on employee well-being
- Strong customer support for family-focused holidays
- The rise of online shopping
- Logistical challenges of holiday staffing
- Greater emphasis on operational reset before Black Friday
Companies have found that closing stores does not negatively impact sales, and in many cases, customer loyalty grows because shoppers appreciate the commitment to workers’ time off.
Tips for Shoppers Heading Out on Thanksgiving
Even with the availability of several open chains, Thanksgiving shopping requires planning. Hours are shorter, staff may be limited, and essential items can sell out quickly.
Helpful tips include:
- Visit stores early in the morning.
- Use online store locators to confirm hours.
- Have a list ready before leaving home.
- Expect limited deli, bakery, and pharmacy services.
- Pick up pre-ordered meals early to avoid last-minute lines.
Because many stores close by mid-afternoon, making a midday trip can lead to disappointment if shelves are bare or lines are long.
A Final Note for Thanksgiving 2025 Shoppers
A small number of grocery stores remain open during the holiday, and many offer only morning hours. Planning early, knowing your local store’s schedule, and keeping this guide handy can help make Thanksgiving smoother and less stressful.
If you’ve found a helpful store in your area or want to share your Thanksgiving shopping experience, feel free to join the conversation below and help other readers stay informed.