Is Home Depot open on New Year’s Day for 2026? If you’re planning to kick off the new year with a home improvement project, grab supplies, or simply make returns and exchanges after the holiday season, this question matters — and the answer is encouraging for DIYers and homeowners alike. For January 1, 2026, Home Depot will be open with holiday hours across most of its U.S. locations, giving shoppers ample opportunity to get what they need without interruption to their plans.
New Year’s Day can be one of the busiest times of the year for big-box home improvement stores. Between winter weather challenges, post-holiday returns, and fresh projects to tackle, many customers head out early to stores like Home Depot. Fortunately, with confirmed holiday hours in place, you won’t be left second-guessing whether you can buy tools, building materials, or essentials when you need them most.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything about Home Depot’s New Year’s Day hours, tips for visiting during the holiday, comparisons with other retailers’ schedules, and how to plan your shopping trip so you don’t waste time standing outside a closed door.
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Confirmed Home Depot Holiday Hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2026
Home Depot has established a consistent holiday schedule that balances customer demand with employee well-being. For the transition from the end of 2025 into the beginning of 2026, the schedule looks like this:
- New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31, 2025: Home Depot stores will be open during the day but will close early at around 6:00 p.m. This gives staff time to prepare for celebrations while still serving customers throughout most of the afternoon and evening.
- New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026: Most Home Depot locations are scheduled to be open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., giving customers nearly a full day to shop and handle home improvement needs.
These adjusted times reflect a holiday schedule that honors the celebration of the new year while still providing access to essential products and services for shoppers nationwide.
Why Home Depot Chooses to Stay Open on New Year’s Day
Unlike some days that big retailers close entirely — such as Christmas — New Year’s Day is treated differently by many chains, and Home Depot typically chooses to remain open with modified hours. There are several reasons for this:
1. Essential Needs Still Exist on Holidays
Many emergency needs arise on holidays, especially in winter. People may need:
- Heating and insulation supplies
- Emergency plumbing parts
- Tools to fix holiday-related damage
- Replacement bulbs, batteries, or safety gear
Home Depot’s schedule reflects that demand.
2. Many Customers Use the Day for Projects
After holiday gatherings and travel, many people find January 1 to be a perfect time to begin long-overdue home projects. Staying open helps customers tackle those plans right away.
3. Continuity of Service
Big-box home improvement chains like Home Depot understand that modern shoppers expect accessibility. Being open — even on a holiday — reassures customers that they aren’t left waiting until the next business day.
What to Expect Inside Home Depot on New Year’s Day
If you plan to visit Home Depot on January 1, here’s what you should expect:
Store Departments Will Be Open
Most major departments will be fully operational, including:
- Lumber and building materials
- Tools and equipment
- Paint and supplies
- Electrical and plumbing
- Garden and outdoor products
- Storage and organization
Even seasonal items and clearance sections are typically available, though inventory may vary by store.
Services May Be Limited
While products are accessible, some services might have limited availability due to holiday staffing. These can include:
- Tool rental counters
- Installation consultation desks
- Special in-store workshops
- Design centers
It’s always wise to check with your local store if you need a particular service beyond basic shopping.
Planning Your Visit: Best Times to Shop on January 1
Holiday traffic can vary significantly throughout the day. To make your visit more efficient and pleasant:
Best Times to Visit
- Early Morning (9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.): Stores are quieter, and stock levels are freshest.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Slightly busier than morning but still manageable.
Peak Busy Times
- Late Morning to Early Afternoon: Many shoppers arrive after breakfast or before lunch, making aisles more crowded.
Visit Checklist
Before heading out, consider:
- Making a list of items you need
- Calling your local store to confirm exact hours
- Checking stock online for high-demand products
- Using Home Depot’s online ordering with in-store or curbside pickup
Planning can help you avoid long checkout lines and stock shortages.
How Home Depot’s Holiday Hours Compare to Other Retailers
New Year’s Day is one of those holidays where big retailers vary widely in schedules. Knowing how Home Depot stacks up can help with planning your overall shopping list.
Here’s how major retailers are handling the holiday:
| Retailer | New Year’s Eve | New Year’s Day |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | Open, early close (~6 p.m.) | Open 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Walmart | Open regular hours | Open regular hours |
| Target | Open | Open (some locations may close early) |
| Costco | Open on New Year’s Eve | Closed all day |
| Sam’s Club | Early close on New Year’s Eve | Closed all day |
| Aldi | Limited hours NYE | Closed NYD |
| Whole Foods | Reduced hours both days | Open with limited hours |
| CVS & Walgreens | Open, limited pharmacy hours | Open limited hours |
For shoppers needing groceries, pharmacy services, and more, other stores fill in gaps that Home Depot may not cover — but for tools, materials, and home improvement needs, Home Depot remains one of the top accessible options.
Online Shopping Options Around the Holiday
If you’d rather avoid crowds or need items outside of store hours, Home Depot’s digital tools are there to help:
- Online Store: You can order virtually any in-store item online.
- In-Store Pickup: Order online and pick up at your local store — perfect if you’re short on time.
- Curbside Pickup: Many locations offer curbside service, meaning you can stay in your car.
- Same-Day Delivery: In some areas, orders can be delivered the same day.
These online services are especially useful on holidays when store hours are modified, or services are limited.
Special Notes About Safety and Seasonal Demand
Winter months, including New Year’s Day, often bring weather-related challenges that affect home needs:
Winter Weather Supplies
Many shoppers visit Home Depot around this time to pick up:
- Snow shovels and snow blowers
- Ice melt and de-icing products
- Space heaters
- Insulation materials
- Weather stripping
These items can sell out fast during cold spells, so early arrival is ideal.
Safety Measures
Stores observe standard safety policies year-round. On holidays, staff may have reduced numbers, but customer flow and safety remain priorities.
Return and Exchange Policies on New Year’s Day
If you purchased items during the holiday season and need to return or exchange something:
- Returns are accepted under normal policies on January 1.
- Keep receipts or order confirmations to speed up the process.
- Large items or special orders may take longer to process.
Even though it’s a holiday, Home Depot typically honors return policies as usual.
What About Local Store Variations?
While national holiday hours give a good guideline, it’s important to remember that the schedule isn’t always identical at every Home Depot location. Individual stores may adjust times based on local ordinances, staffing needs, and community norms, so the hours in one city could differ slightly from those in another. In addition, severe winter weather — including snowstorms, ice events, and extreme cold — can sometimes prompt earlier closures or delayed openings to protect both customers and employees. In urban centers with high traffic or special holiday regulations, some Home Depot stores may open a little earlier or close a bit sooner than the standard 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. window you see on the national holiday calendar. Construction zones and nearby events can also affect access and parking, which could influence how a store operates on New Year’s Day. Because of these possibilities, it’s always a smart idea to check directly with your local Home Depot before making the drive, whether by phone, the store’s website, or the official store-locator tool. Confirming final hours and any service changes ahead of time helps you avoid disappointment, ensures your materials are in stock, and lets you plan your trip with confidence — especially when weather conditions or regional differences come into play during the busy holiday season.
Confirming final hours for your specific store helps avoid disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Home Depot open on New Year’s Day?
Yes — most Home Depot locations are scheduled to be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on January 1, 2026, with holiday adjustments in place.
What time does Home Depot close on New Year’s Eve?
Most stores will close early at approximately 6:00 p.m. on December 31.
Can I return items at Home Depot on New Year’s Day?
Yes, returns and exchanges are typically accepted under regular return policies.
Final Thoughts
Starting the new year with clarity about store hours lets you shop confidently and plan your projects without stress. If you’ve been wondering is Home Depot open on New Year’s Day in 2026, you now have the most up-to-date information to make the most of your visit — with Home Depot locations across the U.S. scheduled to be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on January 1st. These holiday hours give you plenty of time to pick up tools, building materials, seasonal supplies, and everything else needed for a fresh start to the year. Recent holiday schedules from major retailers confirm that Home Depot’s decision to remain open positions it as one of the most reliable big-box home improvement options on New Year’s Day, especially compared with clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club that remain closed. Many other stores, including supermarkets, convenience outlets, and pharmacies, will also operate with reduced or regular hours, but Home Depot stands out for its extended availability and wide range of products. Whether you’re tackling that long-awaited renovation, fixing winter wear-and-tear, or simply restocking essentials after holiday gatherings, Home Depot’s 2026 holiday hours are designed to serve you well. As you get ready to shop, don’t forget to check your local store’s exact hours since some individual locations may vary — and when you return, feel free to share your New Year’s Day project plans or Home Depot experiences with our community so others can learn from your day!