Waking up on New Year’s Day usually feels like one of two things. You’re either ready to conquer your resolutions with a green smoothie, or you're desperately hunting for Advil and a gallon of Gatorade because the party went a little too hard. Either way, you probably need a store.
And usually, that store is Walmart.
But then the doubt creeps in. It's a federal holiday. Banks are closed. The post office is a ghost town. You start wondering: is Walmart open January 1st, or are you going to be staring at locked sliding doors?
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Honestly, the answer is simpler than most people think, but there are a few "gotchas" that can ruin your morning if you aren't careful.
The Short Answer (Yes, But...)
The good news? Walmart is open on January 1st. Unlike Christmas Day—which is the only day of the year Walmart completely shuts down its 4,600+ U.S. locations—New Year’s Day is a go. They don't do the whole "closed for the holiday" thing here. Most stores stick to their regular operating hours. Typically, that means the doors open at 6:00 AM and stay open until 11:00 PM.
It sounds straightforward. But here is where it gets kinda tricky.
While the main store is open, the specialized departments inside don't play by the same rules. If you’re heading there specifically for a prescription or to get your oil changed, the "open" sign on the front door might be a total lie for the service you actually need.
Why Your Local Store Might Be Different
I've seen people drive twenty miles only to find their specific "24-hour" location is actually closing at 10:00 PM on New Year's Day.
Why? Because local managers have a bit of say. If a store is in a rural area and the staff all called out to recover from the night before, that store might open a few hours late. Or, if you’re in a city with strict local ordinances, the hours could shift.
Generally speaking, you can expect these timings:
- Walmart Supercenters: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Walmart Neighborhood Markets: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Walmart Pharmacy: Often 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (or closed entirely in some regions)
- Vision Center: Usually 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Auto Care Center: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pharmacies are the biggest wildcard. Most pharmacists want the holiday off too. If you need a refill on January 1st, do not wait until 6:00 PM. Call ahead or check the app around 10:00 AM to see if they're actually staffing the counter.
The "January 1st" Shopping Strategy
You aren't just going for milk. You're probably going for the clearance.
January 1st is basically "Leftover Christmas" at Walmart. All those aisles that were packed with red and green boxes? They’re now 50% to 75% off. People swarm the stores on New Year's morning to grab wrapping paper, ornaments, and giant tins of popcorn for pennies on the dollar.
It’s chaotic.
If you want the good stuff, you have to be there when the doors open at 6:00 AM. By noon, the clearance section looks like a picked-over carcass.
Another thing to keep in mind: Returns. Walmart’s holiday return policy is pretty generous. Usually, anything bought between October 1st and December 31st can be returned until January 31st. Since January 1st is the first day of that "post-holiday" window, the Customer Service desk is going to be a nightmare. If you can avoid returning that unwanted air fryer until January 3rd, your sanity will thank you.
Comparing the Big Chains
Walmart stays open, but its competitors aren't always as reliable. If your local Walmart is too crowded, you might think about hitting another spot.
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Target is usually open on New Year's Day, often with regular hours (7:00 AM – 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM).
Costco is the big exception. They are closed. Period. Don't even bother driving there. They give their employees the day off for almost every major federal holiday, and January 1st is no different.
Sam's Club—which is owned by Walmart—also stays closed on New Year's Day. It’s a bit of a weird corporate split. The main store stays open to catch the masses, but the warehouse club takes a breather.
Actionable Steps for Your New Year’s Trip
Don't just wing it.
- Check the App, Not Google: Google Maps is notorious for having "Holiday Hours" that are just guesses. Use the official Walmart Store Finder on their website or app. It pulls data directly from that specific store's POS system.
- Call the Pharmacy: If you need meds, call the direct pharmacy line. Sometimes the main store is open but the pharmacy gate is down because the pharmacist is out sick or on holiday leave.
- Go Early for Deals: If you're hunting for discounted holiday decor, be there before 8:00 AM.
- Skip the Service Desk: Unless it’s an emergency, avoid the returns line. It's the busiest day of the year for people bringing back "broken" drones and sweaters that didn't fit.
Basically, Walmart is your best bet for a successful January 1st errand run. Just don't expect the Vision Center or the Auto shop to be waiting for you with open arms. Stick to the groceries and the clearance aisles, and you'll be fine.