Finding out what is open on Christmas Day often feels like a race against a closing door. While December 25th remains the quietest day of the year for commerce in many parts of the world, especially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the world doesn't stop turning entirely. Whether a forgotten ingredient is missing for the holiday dinner, a medical emergency arises, or there is a simple need for a hot cup of coffee, some essential and commercial services remain available.

As we look toward the 2026 holiday season, the trend of major retailers closing to allow employees rest continues, yet a reliable network of convenience stores, pharmacies, and restaurants keeps their lights on. This overview provides a realistic look at what typically stays open, what remains shuttered, and how to navigate the day without frustration.

Essential services that never close

Safety and health do not take holidays. Regardless of the date, critical infrastructure remains operational throughout Christmas Day. This is the most vital category for anyone facing an unexpected situation.

Hospitals and emergency rooms

All major hospitals and 24-hour emergency care centers stay fully staffed. Emergency medical services (EMS), including ambulances and paramedics, operate on their standard 24/7 schedule. If a health crisis occurs, professional help is always accessible. However, elective procedures and standard outpatient clinics will be closed, so it is best to postpone non-urgent inquiries until the following day.

Fire and police departments

Public safety departments are mandatory services. Fire stations and police precincts remain active, with officers and first responders working holiday shifts to ensure community security. Emergency 911 (or local equivalent) dispatchers are always on duty.

Utility companies and infrastructure

Power, water, and gas companies maintain skeleton crews and emergency repair teams. If a major outage occurs due to winter weather, these organizations have protocols to dispatch technicians. While customer service billing departments will be closed, emergency hotlines for gas leaks or downed power lines stay open.

Drugstores and convenience hubs

When most retail shuts down, drugstores and convenience chains become the primary resource for last-minute needs, from batteries to over-the-counter medication.

CVS Pharmacy

CVS is a primary go-to on December 25th. Many locations, especially those that are traditionally 24-hour stores, remain open for the entire day. However, a distinction must be made between the retail floor and the pharmacy counter. Often, the store itself stays open, but the pharmacy department may have reduced hours or close entirely. It is common to see retail hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at non-24-hour locations.

Walgreens

Similar to its competitors, Walgreens typically keeps most of its 24-hour locations operational through Christmas. For stores that are not 24/7, hours are usually truncated, such as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Again, pharmacy hours are subject to the specific availability of pharmacists and may differ from the store's general operating hours.

7-Eleven and Circle K

Convenience is the brand promise here. Most 7-Eleven locations are franchised, but the vast majority maintain their 24/7/365 schedule. These are reliable spots for milk, snacks, ice, and basic toiletries. Circle K and other national convenience brands usually follow the same pattern, though rural locations might see some variation based on owner discretion.

Rite Aid

While Rite Aid has undergone corporate shifts, their operational strategy for holidays generally mirrors CVS and Walgreens. Expect 24-hour locations to remain open, while others may operate on a 9-to-5 schedule.

Restaurants and fast food options

Not everyone cooks a massive feast at home. For travelers, shift workers, or those who simply prefer dining out, several national chains traditionally welcome guests on Christmas Day.

Waffle House

In the world of holiday dining, Waffle House is the gold standard of reliability. They are famous for never closing, and Christmas Day is no exception. Every location is expected to be open 24/7, serving their full menu.

Denny’s and IHOP

Both of these diner chains are high-probability options. Denny’s operates 24/7 at nearly every location across the country. IHOP also tends to stay open, though because many are franchised, some individual owners might opt for reduced hours, such as closing in the mid-afternoon. These are excellent choices for a holiday breakfast.

Starbucks and Dunkin'

Coffee remains a high-demand item on Christmas morning. Many Starbucks locations will open, particularly those in high-traffic urban areas, airports, and hotels. However, suburban drive-thru locations might close early or not open at all. Dunkin' follows a similar pattern; while many stores remain open, the hours are highly localized and often shorter than usual, ending by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

McDonald’s and Burger King

Fast food availability is highly inconsistent on Christmas Day. Because the majority of these restaurants are owned by independent franchisees, the decision to open is left to the owner. Locations at highway rest stops and inside airports are almost always open. Standalone neighborhood units are more likely to be closed or operate with a very limited crew for a few hours in the morning.

Ethnic and independent dining

One of the most reliable strategies for dining on Christmas Day is visiting restaurants that observe different cultural calendars. Chinese restaurants have a long-standing tradition of being open on Christmas in North America. Additionally, many Indian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian establishments remain open for business as usual, offering full menus when other kitchens are dark.

Grocery stores: A limited landscape

Grocery shopping is perhaps the most difficult task on Christmas Day. Most major regional and national chains close their doors to give staff a break.

Safeway and Albertsons

A small selection of Safeway and Albertsons locations may open for limited hours (often 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), but this is not universal across all states. In many regions, they remain completely closed. It is essential to check the specific store locator for your zip code.

Giant Food and Meijer

Historically, these chains have remained closed on Christmas Day. Meijer, which is often open 24/7 throughout the year, usually closes on Christmas Eve and remains closed through the 25th, reopening on the 26th.

Independent and specialty markets

Local independent grocery stores, particularly those in immigrant communities, are often the best bet for fresh produce or specific ingredients on Christmas. Markets that do not primarily cater to the Christmas-observing demographic often maintain regular hours.

Travel, gas, and transportation

If you are on the road on December 25th, you will find that the infrastructure for travel remains functional, though perhaps less frequent.

Gas stations and truck stops

Major travel centers like Love’s Travel Stops, Pilot Flying J, and TravelCenters of America are essential for the trucking industry and remain open 24/7. These locations offer fuel, restrooms, and hot food. Shell, BP, and Exxon stations typically keep their pumps active for credit card payments, even if the indoor retail shop is closed. In larger cities, at least one or two flagship stations per neighborhood usually keep an attendant on duty.

Airports and public transit

Airports never close. Flights will take off and land, and airport services—including security, ticketing, and some retail—will be active. However, public transportation (buses, subways, trains) almost always operates on a "Sunday" or "Holiday" schedule, meaning much longer wait times and fewer active routes. It is recommended to check transit apps at least 24 hours in advance.

Entertainment and leisure

Once the gifts are unwrapped, many people look for entertainment outside the house.

Movie theaters

Going to the movies is a major Christmas Day tradition for many families. Major chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark almost always remain open and often debut some of the year's biggest films on this day. Showtimes might start slightly later in the afternoon, but the theaters are generally fully operational.

Parks and outdoor spaces

Public parks and state/national parks typically remain accessible for hikers and walkers, though visitor centers, restrooms, and ticket offices will likely be closed. It is a great time for a quiet walk, provided you don't need indoor facilities.

Casinos and resorts

In regions where gambling is legal, such as Las Vegas or Atlantic City, casinos never close. They offer full gaming, dining, and hotel services throughout the holiday. Similarly, major ski resorts remain open, as Christmas is one of their peak operational days, though mountain services might close slightly earlier than usual.

What is definitively closed?

To save you a trip, it is helpful to know which major entities have a strict policy of closing on Christmas Day. There are almost no exceptions for these retailers:

  • Walmart: All locations are closed.
  • Target: All locations are closed.
  • Costco: All warehouses are closed.
  • ALDI: All stores are closed.
  • Trader Joe’s: All stores are closed.
  • Publix: All stores are closed.
  • The Home Depot and Lowe’s: All stores are closed.
  • Post Offices: No mail delivery and all retail counters are closed.
  • Banks: All physical branches are closed, though ATMs and online banking remain functional.
  • Stock Markets: Both the NYSE and Nasdaq are closed.

Strategies for a stress-free day

Even with a list of what might be open, the reality on the ground can vary. Here are three ways to ensure you don't end up at a locked door.

  1. Use "Open Now" filters: On Christmas Day, apps like Google Maps or Yelp are updated by users and business owners. Using the "Open Now" filter can give you a real-time view of what is nearby. However, always look for the "Hours might differ" warning.
  2. The "Phone Call" rule: If you are planning to drive more than five minutes to a store or restaurant, call them. Even if a corporate website says they are open, local staffing issues can lead to unexpected early closures.
  3. Check the app: For chains like Starbucks, Dunkin', or CVS, the official mobile app is usually the most accurate source for holiday hours, as it is tied to the local store’s point-of-sale system.

While Christmas Day is characterized by a general pause in the hustle of daily life, the essential and convenient services listed above provide a safety net. Planning ahead is always the best strategy, but if the unexpected happens, there are still doors open to help you through the holiday.