Walgreens holiday hours are a top concern for shoppers across the United States as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s approach in late December 2025. With many major retailers closing their doors for the holidays, Walgreens remains one of the few national chains offering open stores on key holiday dates. This article provides the most up-to-date and verified information on Walgreens holiday hours, including specific details on store operating times, pharmacy schedules, delivery options, and practical tips to help U.S. customers plan their holiday errands with confidence.
During the holiday season, shoppers often face uncertainty about which stores remain open and when they close. With Walgreens announcing its holiday schedule for 2025, Americans can better plan essential shopping trips, prescription pickups, last-minute gift runs, and emergency needs around Christmas and New Year’s.
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Walgreens Holiday Hours Overview — 2025
Walgreens operates thousands of pharmacies and retail locations nationwide. For the 2025 holiday season, the company has confirmed that its stores will remain open on several prominent holiday dates, but specific hours may vary by location. The most important updates include:
- Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025: Walgreens stores open with regular or adjusted hours.
- Christmas Day, December 25, 2025: Walgreens stores open with reduced operating hours at most locations.
- New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025: Stores open with varying schedules.
- New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026: Stores open with regular or adjusted hours.
While the retail portion of most Walgreens locations will operate on these holiday dates, pharmacy counters often follow a separate schedule. As a result, many Walgreens pharmacies may close earlier in the day or operate on limited hours compared with the general store. Even so, some locations — especially 24-hour stores — continue to serve customers throughout the holiday season. Local Walgreens hours can vary, so customers are encouraged to check with their neighborhood store for precise opening and closing times.
Christmas Eve Hours at Walgreens — December 24, 2025
On Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24, 2025), Walgreens stores across the country will be open and ready to meet holiday demand. Most locations follow their regular business schedule or extend hours into the evening to accommodate last-minute holiday needs.
Typical Retail Hours
- Stores typically open during regular daytime hours.
- Many locations remain open later into the evening, often until around 9 p.m. or later.
- Customers can shop for essentials like gifts, candies, household supplies, winter products, health items, and more.
Pharmacy Hours
- Pharmacy operating times may differ significantly from retail hours.
- Some Walgreens pharmacies close earlier in the day, frequently around mid-afternoon or early evening.
- Pharmacy hours are not uniform and vary by store, so customers needing prescriptions should call ahead to confirm.
Christmas Eve is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the holiday season. Walgreens makes itself available to help customers complete their gift list, restock medicine cabinets, buy greeting cards, or pick up last-minute food items and travel supplies before the festivities begin.
Christmas Day Hours at Walgreens — December 25, 2025
One of the most notable features of Walgreens holiday hours in 2025 is that most Walgreens locations will be open on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25). This sets Walgreens apart from many large U.S. retailers and grocery chains that close entirely for the holiday.
Retail Store Hours
- Most Walgreens stores will open on Christmas Day with adjusted daytime operating hours, often running from morning until early evening.
- A typical schedule for many stores is approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- These adjusted hours provide customers with access to essential items during a time when many competitors are closed.
24-Hour Locations
- Walgreens locations that normally operate 24 hours will continue to do so on Christmas Day.
- These 24-hour stores provide a reliable option for urgent or unexpected needs, including late-night purchases of necessities.
Pharmacy Services on Christmas
- While the retail portion of many Walgreens stores remains open, pharmacy counters may operate on a separate, shorter schedule, or be closed entirely.
- Some Walgreens pharmacy locations close on Christmas Day, while others operate shorter hours or limited staffing.
- Customers needing prescription refills or assistance with pharmacy services are advised to contact their local store in advance to confirm pharmacy hours.
The decision to remain open on Christmas Day makes Walgreens a valuable resource for shoppers who need items such as over-the-counter drugs, health supplies, baby products, snacks and beverages, travel necessities, greeting cards, and gift wrap.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Hours
Walgreens has also released its schedule for New Year’s 2025–2026, and the pattern of accessibility continues.
New Year’s Eve — December 31, 2025
- Walgreens stores will be open on New Year’s Eve.
- Most locations will follow normal or near-normal schedules during the day and evening.
- Pharmacy hours vary by location and may close earlier than the main store.
New Year’s Day — January 1, 2026
- Walgreens stores will open on New Year’s Day, allowing shoppers to get essentials as they kick off the new year.
- General retail hours often follow regular operating times, though specific hours can vary.
- Pharmacy counters may operate limited or adjusted hours.
While most customers focus on Christmas for holiday shopping, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are important dates — particularly for travel supplies, cold and flu items, personal care products, and convenience purchases. Walgreens ensures continuity of service throughout this period.
Walgreens Delivery and Pickup Options During the Holidays
Walgreens not only keeps many physical stores open during the holidays, but it also offers delivery and pickup services that help customers avoid lines and ensure they get what they need promptly.
Same-Day Delivery
- Walgreens provides same-day delivery in many markets, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Customers can place online orders and have items delivered directly to their doorstep — often in as little as one hour.
- Same-day delivery cutoff times may shift based on store hours and holidays. During the Christmas period, orders placed earlier in the day are more likely to qualify.
In-Store and Curbside Pickup
- Customers may place orders online and choose in-store or curbside pickup.
- Orders set for pickup must generally be placed at least an hour before the store closes.
- Pickup remains available even on holidays when stores are open, though available hours vary by location.
These services are particularly valuable for holiday shoppers who want to minimize time inside crowded stores or secure items before a holiday rush.
How Walgreens Holiday Hours Compare With Other Retailers
Walgreens holiday hours stand out when compared with many other major retailers in the United States. During Christmas 2025, the vast majority of large chains will close their stores entirely on December 25, leaving Walgreens as one of the few open retail options for last-minute needs.
Retailers That Close on Christmas Day
- Major discount and big-box stores typically close on Christmas Day.
- Department stores and general merchandise retailers shut down entirely.
- Grocery chains often close or operate very limited holiday hours.
Retailers With Limited or Adjusted Hours
- Some pharmacy chains may operate with modified schedules.
- Convenience store chains may remain open but vary by location.
- Food and beverage outlets often have location-specific schedules.
Walgreens consistently positions itself as a reliable destination for essential items when other retailers are unavailable. Its decision to stay open on Christmas Day provides peace of mind for shoppers who cannot complete errands earlier, offering a dependable option when options are otherwise limited.
Understanding Pharmacy Scheduling on Holiday Dates
While the retail portion of many Walgreens stores stays open on holiday dates, pharmacy hours often differ and may not align with general store schedules. There are several key considerations:
Pharmacy Hours Are Location Specific
- Pharmacy counters often open later and close earlier than the main store.
- During Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many pharmacies operate a shortened schedule.
- Some Walgreens pharmacies remain closed while the retail store stays open.
Independent Verification Is Recommended
- Customers planning to pick up prescriptions or receive pharmacist consultations should confirm hours with their local Walgreens.
- Calling ahead or using the Walgreens store locator will provide the most reliable pharmacy schedule information.
Because prescriptions and pharmacy services are often needed during holiday travel or seasonal illness spikes, planning ahead helps avoid disruptions.
Examples of Typical Holiday Hours
To illustrate how Walgreens holiday hours may look at the local level, consider this example from a specific Walgreens store:
Sample Walgreens Holiday Schedule
- Christmas Eve:
- Retail store open until 9 p.m.
- Pharmacy open until early evening.
- Christmas Day:
- Retail store open approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Pharmacy closed for the holiday.
This pattern reflects the adjustments that many Walgreens locations adopt during peak holiday dates.
Tips for Making the Most of Walgreens Holiday Hours
Here are practical strategies to make your holiday errands easier and faster at Walgreens:
Plan Ahead on Pharmacy Needs
Because pharmacy hours often differ from store hours, refill prescriptions early — ideally before December 24 — to avoid limited service times.
Use Digital Tools
The Walgreens mobile app and store locator help confirm hours, pharmacy availability, and order statuses while holiday hours are in effect.
Order Early for Delivery or Pickup
Place orders early in the day for same-day delivery or curbside pickup to ensure timely fulfillment before holiday hours end.
Visit Early in the Day on Christmas
If you plan to shop on Christmas Day, earlier daytime hours tend to be less crowded and fully staffed.
Identify 24-Hour Locations
If your local Walgreens operates 24 hours, it can serve as a reliable fallback for urgent purchases — even late on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Why Walgreens Remains Open on Major Holidays
Unlike many large retailers that close entirely on Christmas Day, Walgreens maintains its availability, offering convenience and reliability when many options are limited. Being open on Christmas supports customers who need urgent medicine, travel supplies, last-minute gifts, or everyday items.
This commitment extends to New Year’s celebrations, ensuring customers can access essentials even as many stores temporarily close or reduce hours.
Final Thoughts on Walgreens 2025 Holiday Hours
Walgreens holiday hours in 2025 deliver consistent and reassuring service to U.S. shoppers. With stores open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, Walgreens remains a dependable choice for essential shopping and pharmacy needs during the busiest holiday season of the year.
Have you checked your local Walgreens holiday hours yet? Share your experience in the comments and let us know how your store schedule compares this season.