Christmas Eve Store Hours 2026
Christmas Eve is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the morning, but most stores close early โ typically between 2PM and 6PM.
Christmas Eve is statistically the highest-traffic day in US stores โ surpassing even Black Friday in foot traffic density per hour. The morning rush (9AMโnoon) sees peak crowds, then stores begin rapid drawdown closures through the afternoon.
6 PM
Most stores close by
8โ11 AM
Grocery traffic peak
4โ6 hrs early
Typical closing vs normal
Yes (2-day)
Online orders still ship
Reduced hours on Christmas Eve
6 brandsOpen on Christmas Eve
7 brandsChristmas Eve shopping tips
Shop in the morning โ most stores close between 2PM and 6PM
Grocery stores are packed on Christmas Eve โ go early
Pharmacy drive-throughs may close at different times than the store
Many restaurants are open for dinner on Christmas Eve
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve?
Most Walmart stores close at 6PM on Christmas Eve, though some may close earlier at 4PM.
Is Costco open on Christmas Eve?
Yes โ Costco is open on Christmas Eve but typically closes early, around 5PM or 6PM.
Is Starbucks open on Christmas Eve?
Most Starbucks locations are open on Christmas Eve but with modified hours, often closing by 3PMโ5PM.