Thanksgiving Day has become one of the year’s most restricted retail holidays. A growing list of major U.S. chains continues to close entirely, but several supermarket brands plan to open for reduced hours to support essential holiday needs. Recent coverage from major U.S. outlets confirms the current 2025 schedule for top grocery names, including Kroger-owned stores, Whole Foods, Food Lion, Wegmans, CVS, and select Walgreens locations.
Shoppers should still expect variations by location, but national policies provide a reliable picture of what’s open and what’s closed nationwide.
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Major Chains OPEN on Thanksgiving Day 2025
Food Lion
Food Lion locations will open, operating with reduced hours. Recent updates list typical hours as 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., though individual stores may vary slightly. Pharmacies inside Food Lion stores will not operate.
Highlights:
- Most stores open morning to mid-afternoon
- Consistent with the chain’s previous Thanksgiving schedules
- Good option for last-minute essentials, produce, and pantry items
Wegmans
Wegmans will open for a partial day. Most stores are expected to close at 4 p.m., maintaining their standard approach to holiday hours.
What to expect:
- Full grocery selection available
- Prepared foods usually offered until early afternoon
- High traffic expected in bakery and fresh foods
Kroger and Kroger-Owned Stores
Kroger and its family of regional brands will open with early closing times around 3 p.m. This includes banners such as:
- Ralphs
- Fry’s
- Smith’s
- King Soopers
- Dillon’s
- Fred Meyer (grocery departments only)
Important Note:
All in-store pharmacies will be closed, even while grocery aisles remain open.
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods will open in most states on Thanksgiving. Updated 2025 hours indicate 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the majority of stores.
However, Whole Foods locations in Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island will be closed due to statewide holiday trading laws.
Services available early in the day:
- Fresh bakery
- Hot bar (likely limited)
- Produce and meat departments
- Pre-ordered holiday meals pick-up
CVS
Most CVS locations will open with reduced hours, while 24-hour stores may remain open for essential needs. Pharmacy counters may vary, with some locations reducing or adjusting prescription services.
Good for last-minute:
- Basic ingredients
- Snacks
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Personal care items
Walgreens
Only 24-hour Walgreens stores will operate normally. Other Walgreens locations are expected to remain closed.
Available services include:
- Convenience groceries
- Essentials
- Limited pharmacy access (varies by region)
Major Chains CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day 2025
Recent nationwide policy confirmations show that many supermarket chains will close fully to allow employees to spend the holiday with family.
Walmart
All Walmart locations will be closed on Thanksgiving. This continues the company’s multi-year trend.
Target
Target stores will remain closed, following the brand’s permanent shift away from Thanksgiving Day operations.
Costco
Costco will be closed, consistent with its long-standing holiday schedule.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club will also close for the full day.
Aldi
All Aldi U.S. stores will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Publix
Publix supermarkets will remain closed, continuing their standard policy.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s will be closed nationwide.
Lidl
Lidl stores across the U.S. will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Summary Table: Thanksgiving Day 2025 Grocery Status
| Chain | Status | Estimated Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Food Lion | Open | 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Wegmans | Open | Until 4 p.m. |
| Kroger (and affiliated brands) | Open | Until ~3 p.m. |
| Whole Foods | Open (except select states) | 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| CVS | Open (reduced hours) | Varies |
| 24-hour Walgreens | Open | 24 hours |
| Walmart | Closed | — |
| Target | Closed | — |
| Publix | Closed | — |
| Trader Joe’s | Closed | — |
| Costco | Closed | — |
| Sam’s Club | Closed | — |
| Aldi | Closed | — |
| Lidl | Closed | — |
Why So Many Stores Close on Thanksgiving Now
In recent years, more major retailers have adopted full-day closures on Thanksgiving. This shift gained traction as companies prioritized work-life balance, improved employee morale, and prepared for the heavy sales period that begins on Black Friday.
Key reasons include:
- Strong employee support for the holiday to remain a non-working day
- Increasing online shopping, reducing need for in-person hours
- Corporate emphasis on family time
- Community and consumer expectations for the holiday to remain retail-quiet
This trend appears to be continuing through 2025, with no major chains reversing course.
What Shoppers Should Know Before Heading Out
Even among the stores that remain open, shoppers should plan carefully. Thanksgiving operating hours are shorter, and essential departments often have limited staffing.
Tips for a smooth visit:
- Double-check local store hours using store locators
- Arrive early, as many stores close by mid-afternoon
- Expect popular items like pies, rolls, and dairy to sell out quickly
- Prepare for reduced pharmacy availability
If picking up pre-ordered meals, shoppers should bring confirmation details and arrive well before closing time.
Why It Matters to Plan Ahead
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest cooking days of the year. Having a reliable list of which stores are open on the holiday helps avoid last-minute stress and unnecessary trips. With a limited number of chains operating—and all on shortened hours—planning ahead keeps holiday celebrations running smoothly.
Whether you’re grabbing forgotten ingredients or making a quick early-morning run, knowing your local options can make all the difference. Share your experience or let others know which stores in your area helped you out this Thanksgiving.
