Most major retail stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026 (Thursday, November 26), including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Costco. The stores open on Thanksgiving 2026 are mainly grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores — and most of those run limited holiday hours. Here is the complete open-and-closed list so you never waste a trip.

Key Facts: Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2026

• The big picture: Nearly all big-box and department stores close for the full day on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
• Closed: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Publix, and most other major chains.
• Open (limited hours): Many Kroger, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Food Lion grocery locations; select CVS and Walgreens pharmacies; 7-Eleven, Wawa, and Circle K convenience stores (mostly 24/7); dollar stores with reduced hours.
• Online: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all run Black Friday deals online throughout Thanksgiving Day even while stores are dark.
• Reopening: Most closed chains reopen early on Black Friday, November 27 — Walmart and Target at 6 AM local time.
• Always verify: Hours vary by location, and 2026 announcements are still rolling in — call your specific store before you go.

Stores Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026

The trend is unmistakable: Thanksgiving is now one of the few days when American retail collectively pauses. Walmart and Target both confirmed they will close all stores on Thursday, November 26, 2026 — Target actually made its Thanksgiving closure permanent back in 2022. Best Buy has closed on Thanksgiving since 2019 and does the same in 2026.

Department and big-box: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Macy’s, Belk, Burlington, Nordstrom, DSW, TJMaxx.

Warehouse clubs: Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Home improvement: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Ace Hardware (most locations).

Grocery (closed chains): Publix, Trader Joe’s, Aldi.

Other major chains: PetSmart, Petco, Barnes & Noble, REI, IKEA, Ulta, Staples, Office Depot, Hobby Lobby, GameStop, Academy.

The honest caveat: as of mid-October 2026, some chains have not issued formal 2026 Thanksgiving announcements yet. A regularly updated 2026 closure tracker like this Thanksgiving closure list is worth bookmarking as announcements land.

Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2026

Kroger: Most stores open around 7 AM and close around 3 PM, though hours vary by location and banner.

Whole Foods: Open with limited hours, typically 7 AM to 1 PM.

Sprouts Farmers Market: Open 7 AM to 2 PM at most locations.

Food Lion: Stores close early, generally at 3 PM.

Regional chains: Select ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Acme, and Wegmans locations open with reduced hours.

Go in with a short list, go early, and be kind: the employees working the holiday are the reason your dinner gets saved.

Pharmacies and Convenience Stores Open on Thanksgiving

CVS and Walgreens: Many locations stay open on Thanksgiving Day, though pharmacy counters often run reduced hours. Check your specific location.

7-Eleven, Wawa, and Circle K: Most locations operate 24/7, holidays included — for milk, coffee, snacks, and the odd forgotten item, they are your safety net.

Dollar stores: Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Big Lots typically open with limited hours that vary by location.

Why Not Just Shop Online on Thanksgiving Day?

While the big chains close their physical doors, their websites stay open all day. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all push Black Friday deals live online throughout Thanksgiving Day. Our Black Friday 2026 guide breaks down ad-scan timing, doorbuster strategy, and the online-versus-in-store decision.

The Smart Play: Shop Before Thanksgiving

A single well-planned grocery trip on Tuesday or Wednesday eliminates the holiday-morning scramble entirely. Our Thanksgiving shopping list organizes every ingredient by store section so one trip covers the whole feast.

Traveling for the holiday? Our Thanksgiving travel tips for 2026 include a packing checklist for guest cooks.

Why More Stores Close on Thanksgiving Every Year

Twenty years ago, Thanksgiving evening was the starting gun for Black Friday. Then the pendulum swung: employee petitions gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures, public sentiment turned, and retailers discovered closing did not hurt them — online sales more than absorbed the lost foot traffic. Target’s 2022 decision to make the closure permanent was the point of no return. Expect the closed list to stay long.

What About Small Businesses and Local Shops?

Independent grocers, butcher shops, bakeries, and farm stands often open Thanksgiving morning precisely because the big stores are closed. Ethnic grocery stores are another hidden gem: many Latin, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets keep normal or near-normal holiday hours. As always, call first.

Emergency Run Playbook: What to Do on Thanksgiving Day

1. Call before you drive. A two-minute call beats a twenty-minute wasted drive.

2. Hit grocery first, not retail. Kroger-family stores, Whole Foods, and Sprouts are your best morning bets.

3. Think convenience, not department store. 7-Eleven and Wawa beat a closed Target every time.

4. Check the pharmacy counter separately. A CVS being “open” does not mean its pharmacy is filling prescriptions.

5. When in doubt, order online. Same-day delivery from open grocers can solve the problem without you leaving the kitchen.

When Do Stores Reopen After Thanksgiving?

Nearly every closed chain reopens early on Black Friday, November 27, 2026. Walmart and Target open at 6 AM local time; Best Buy opens early Friday with its biggest sales of the season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2026

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2026? No. Walmart closes all stores on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and reopens at 6 AM on Black Friday.

Is Target open on Thanksgiving 2026? No. Target made Thanksgiving closure a permanent policy in 2022.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving Day? Many Kroger (7 AM–3 PM), Whole Foods (7 AM–1 PM), and Sprouts (7 AM–2 PM) locations; Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Aldi are closed.

Is Costco open on Thanksgiving? No. Costco closes along with Sam’s Club and BJ’s; all three reopen for Black Friday.

Are pharmacies open on Thanksgiving? Many CVS and Walgreens locations stay open, but pharmacy counters often have reduced hours.

Can I shop Black Friday deals online on Thanksgiving Day? Yes. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and most major retailers launch Black Friday deals online throughout Thanksgiving Day.

Plan Ahead and Skip the Scramble

Shop Tuesday, cook Thursday, and let the closed signs remind you what the day is for. And when Friday morning comes, you will be rested, ready, and first in the (virtual or real) line.