What’s Open on Thanksgiving? 2026 Guide to Stores, Restaurants & Things To Do
Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that brings the country to a near standstill. Between the family gatherings, football games, and marathon cooking sessions, most people expect the day to be quiet. But if you need a last-minute grocery run, want a coffee before the parade, or prefer dining out instead of cooking, you might be wondering what’s open on Thanksgiving and what isn’t.
This guide brings together national retailer policies, grocery store schedules, restaurant openings, pharmacy hours, bank closures, city-specific examples, and even ideas for things to do if you’d rather get out of the house. It’s everything you need to plan your day without surprises.
Is Anything Open on Thanksgiving? Quick Overview
While many of the nation’s largest retailers close entirely, Thanksgiving isn’t a total shutdown. Most convenience stores, several grocery chains, and a long list of restaurants remain open with modified hours. Pharmacies operate on a limited schedule, and essential services like Priority Mail Express continue uninterrupted.
If you’re preparing a meal or planning a birthday celebration (as one Los Angeles Quora user asked), you’ll still find plenty of options for food, activities, and outdoor seating. The key is knowing what opens early, what closes early, and which businesses lock their doors all day.
What Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving Day?
Grocery Stores with Reduced Hours
Most major grocery stores shorten their hours so employees can enjoy the holiday. Expect early closures around mid-afternoon.
Commonly open chains include:
Acme Markets – Usually open until around 4 p.m.
Albertsons – Reduced hours vary by location.
Food Lion – Traditionally open until 3 p.m.
Giant Food / Giant Eagle – Often open until mid-afternoon.
Kroger – Hours vary widely; some locations operate normal hours, others shorten schedules.
Meijer – Typically open.
Ralphs – Open in many areas, especially across California.
Safeway – Generally open with shortened hours.
Wegmans – Often open until 4 p.m.
Whole Foods – Common 7 a.m.–1 p.m. schedule, with exceptions in Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island.
Sprouts Farmers Market – Regularly closes early.
ShopRite – Many stores open until late afternoon.
If you absolutely must get that one missing ingredient, arrive early—many stores close earlier the day before Thanksgiving as well.
Grocery Stores Closed on Thanksgiving
Many retailers now close entirely in support of employee time off. Stores typically closed include:
Walmart
Target
Costco
Aldi
Lidl
Sam’s Club
Trader Joe’s
Publix
BJ’s Wholesale Club
Winn-Dixie
If you shop at one of these chains, plan ahead—Thanksgiving morning runs aren’t an option.
Convenience Stores & Pharmacies Open on Thanksgiving
When everything else is closed, convenience stores step in as the safety net.
Convenience Stores Open
7-Eleven – Many locations open 24 hours.
Wawa – Typically open all day.
Dollar General – Often open 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Family Dollar – Usually 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Big Lots – Frequently 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Dollar Tree – Most locations open, hours vary.
Pharmacies
CVS – Many locations open, but pharmacy counters often shorten hours or close entirely.
Walgreens – Most stores closed except 24-hour locations.
Rite Aid – Hours vary widely by region.
For prescription needs, verify hours before heading out—pharmacies often operate separately from store hours.
Retail, Big-Box & Department Stores
Most major retailers participate in the modern trend of Thanksgiving closures. This means those doorbuster deals wait until Black Friday morning (or more often now—online Thursday night).
Stores Open
Only a handful remain open:
Cabela’s – Generally 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Bass Pro Shops – Same hours as Cabela’s
Stores Closed
Expect closures from big names, including:
Walmart
Target
Best Buy
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Kohl’s
JCPenney
Nordstrom
Ulta
Sephora
REI (famously closed every Thanksgiving and Black Friday)
IKEA
If you’re planning Black Friday shopping, many retailers open early Friday morning instead.
Banks, Mail & Government Services on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so closures are consistent nationwide:
Banks – Closed; ATMs and mobile apps remain available.
USPS – No regular mail delivery; Priority Mail Express still runs.
UPS and FedEx – No pickups or deliveries except critical shipments.
Government Offices – Federal, state, county, and municipal offices closed.
U.S. Stock Market – Closed.
If you need official business handled, schedule it before or after the holiday.
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 2026
Whether you’re skipping the kitchen or celebrating a birthday—like the Los Angeles user who inspired this angle—many restaurants remain open for dine-in, takeout, or special prix-fixe menus.
National Chains Open
These restaurants regularly welcome Thanksgiving diners:
Bob Evans
IHOP
Denny’s
Buca di Beppo
Maggiano’s
Cooper’s Hawk
Capital Grille
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Texas de Brazil
Golden Corral
Seasons 52
Most offer holiday-specific menus. Reservations strongly recommended.
Local/Regional Restaurants Often Open
Based on competitor lists and national patterns:
Brio
Eddie Merlot’s
Yard House
Prime
Embers
National Exemplar
Subito
If dining locally, check restaurant websites early—Thanksgiving often sees prix fixe menus and limited seating.
What’s Open in Major Cities?
Things To Do in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day
Many attractions remain open even when retail doesn’t:
Griffith Park & Griffith Observatory Grounds (building often closed, but views and trails open)
Runyon Canyon and other hiking trails
Santa Monica Pier (business hours vary)
Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Grove (select restaurants open)
Third Street Promenade
The Original Farmers Market (some vendors open)
Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in LA Open on Thanksgiving
Options commonly open include:
BOA Steakhouse (West Hollywood / Santa Monica)
The Ivy
Catch LA
Malibu Farm
The Front Yard at The Garland
Hotel restaurants like the Beverly Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, and Fairmont Miramar
Los Angeles is not unique in this—many major cities keep patio dining and hotel restaurants open for holiday guests.
General Things To Do on Thanksgiving in Most Cities
Even outside major metros, people can find:
Movie theaters – Many stay open all day.
Zoos and aquariums – Some operate holiday schedules.
Botanical gardens – Often open for holiday lights events.
Ice skating rinks – Many seasonal rinks open Thanksgiving.
Parks, trails, lakes, and beaches – Open sunrise to sunset.
These are great alternatives when shops and offices are closed.
Tips for Planning Your Thanksgiving Day Errands
Shop early—grocery stores close sooner than you think.
Use store locators—hours change by region.
Expect reduced pharmacy hours—especially for prescriptions.
Check restaurant reservation apps early.
Remember online deals start on Thanksgiving—you may not need to shop in person at all.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out what’s open on Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be stressful. With most big-box stores closed but plenty of grocery stores, convenience shops, and restaurants open, you can still run essential errands or enjoy a great meal out. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday in Los Angeles, planning to hike after turkey, or picking up one last ingredient, a little preparation goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Many chains like Acme, Albertsons, Food Lion, Giant, Ralphs, Wegmans, and Safeway open with reduced hours. Walmart, Costco, Target, and Aldi are closed.
Many chains like Acme, Albertsons, Food Lion, Giant, Ralphs, Wegmans, and Safeway open with reduced hours. Walmart, Costco, Target, and Aldi are closed.
Yes, many national chains and hotel restaurants open, including Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Ruth’s Chris, Texas de Brazil, IHOP, and select local restaurants.
CVS remains open in many areas with reduced pharmacy hours. Most Walgreens stores are closed except select 24-hour locations.
Popular options include Griffith Park, Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Runyon Canyon, and outdoor dining at Malibu Farm, BOA, and Catch LA.
USPS is closed except for Priority Mail Express deliveries. UPS and FedEx pause regular operations.