Will Walmart Be Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025?
For Thanksgiving Day 2025, Walmart is expected to be closed all day, continuing the holiday policy adopted in recent years. This means no in-store shopping on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The company has been consistent about closing on Thanksgiving to allow workers to spend time with their families and to shift major holiday deals toward Black Friday, Cyber Week, and early online sales. So if you’re planning to grab groceries, décor, or last-minute ingredients, you’ll want to shop before Thanksgiving Day.
Why Walmart Is Staying Closed on Thanksgiving
For many years, Walmart opened on Thanksgiving evening to kick off Black Friday. But beginning in the early 2020s, Walmart announced a major shift:
- Giving associates time off on Thanksgiving became a permanent part of store scheduling.
- Black Friday is now the primary in-store shopping kickoff instead of Thanksgiving night.
- Online deals roll out earlier, reducing pressure to crowd stores on the holiday.
This change reflects evolving retail trends — customers are increasingly comfortable shopping online, and retailers are placing more value on employee well-being and family time.
Update After SNAP Benefits Schedule Information
Many families rely on SNAP benefits to shop for holiday groceries, and planning around store hours is important.
Here’s what to know:
- SNAP/EBT purchases can still be made online through Walmart’s website or app on Thanksgiving Day, as long as your delivery or pickup location has operational drivers or slots available.
- Because in-store shopping is closed, placing your grocery order ahead of time is strongly recommended, especially for Thanksgiving dinner items.
- SNAP benefits for November 2025 will load based on your state’s distribution schedule, which varies — but most benefits are issued between the 1st and the 20th of each month.
- If your benefits are scheduled after Thanksgiving, consider planning a smaller early grocery haul for essentials to avoid stress.
If you want, I can also generate a state-by-state SNAP issue date list — just tell me your state.
Walmart Hours the Day Before Thanksgiving (November 26, 2025)
On the day before Thanksgiving, Walmart stores are expected to follow regular hours, such as:
- Opening: ~6:00 AM
- Closing: ~11:00 PM
However, the grocery, deli, bakery, pharmacy, and pickup departments may close earlier depending on location. If you’re buying fresh items like turkey, rolls, pies, produce, or meals-to-go, plan to shop earlier in the day.
Walmart Hours for Black Friday 2025 (November 28, 2025)
Black Friday remains Walmart’s biggest in-store shopping day of the year.
Expected schedule:
- Stores reopen early — typically around 5:00 AM
- Sales will begin online earlier, likely days before Black Friday
Shoppers should expect:
- Early-morning lines
- Crowds in electronics and toy aisles
- Doorbuster deals (TVs, gaming systems, seasonal gifts, etc.)
Shopping tip:
Most Black Friday Walmart deals now appear online first, so you don’t have to wait in lines unless you prefer in-person grabbing.
What to Do If You Forget Something on Thanksgiving Day
Since Walmart will be closed, consider these last-minute options:
- Local gas station markets
- Smaller grocery chains that sometimes stay open (varies by region)
- Delivery apps (availability will depend on holiday staffing)
To avoid stress, consider making a “Thanksgiving essentials list” the week before. I can create a printable checklist if you’d like.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Thanksgiving Shopping Plan
| Task | Best Time To Do It | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buy your turkey | 1–2 weeks early | Avoid thawing and supply delays |
| Buy produce & sides | 2–4 days before | Fresher ingredients |
| Shop at Walmart | Wednesday before | Stores will be busy — shop early morning |
| Place SNAP online orders | 2–3 days before | Delivery slots fill fast |
| Check Black Friday ads | Week before | Helps plan your budget & avoid impulse buys |
Final Thoughts
So, Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving 2025?
No — Walmart will be closed all day to give employees the holiday off.
However, Walmart’s online ordering and delivery features may still be available, depending on your area. Plan your grocery shopping early, especially if you use SNAP benefits, and get ready for Black Friday deals starting the next morning — both in-store and online.