You're standing in the kitchen. The turkey is thawing, the stuffing is prepped, and suddenly you realize—you forgot the heavy cream. Or maybe the cranberry sauce. It happens to the best of us. Your first instinct is to grab the keys and head to the local supercenter. But wait. Before you pull out of the driveway, you need to know the deal for this year.
Honestly, the days of midnight "doorbusters" on a Thursday are pretty much dead. If you’re asking is walmart open thanksgiving day 2024, the short answer is a flat no.
Every single Walmart store across the United States will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024. This isn't just a rumor or a regional thing. It’s a corporate-wide policy that has stuck around since the pandemic changed everything about how we shop.
Why the "Closed" Sign is Staying Up
It used to be a whole event. You'd finish dinner early, maybe skip dessert, and go stand in a line that wrapped around the building. Those days are over. John Furner, the CEO of Walmart U.S., has been pretty vocal about this shift. He basically said that closing on Thanksgiving is a "thing of the past" and that they want their associates to spend time with their families.
It makes sense. The retail world got hit hard during the COVID-19 years, and giving staff a day off was a way to say thanks. It turned out to be so popular—and honestly, probably more efficient for their logistics—that they just kept doing it.
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2024 marks the fifth year in a row that the big blue sign won't be lit up on turkey day.
When Can You Actually Shop?
So, if you can't go on Thursday, when does the madness actually start? You've got to plan around these specific windows:
- Wednesday, Nov 27: Regular hours. Most stores close at 11:00 PM. This is your "last chance" window.
- Thursday, Nov 28 (Thanksgiving): CLOSED. No exceptions.
- Friday, Nov 29 (Black Friday): Doors swing open at 6:00 AM local time. Most will stay open until 11:00 PM.
The 6:00 AM start is the new standard. Gone are the 12:01 AM openings that required a tent and three layers of thermal underwear. It's a bit more civilized now, though still pretty chaotic once those doors unlock.
Don't Forget the Online Loophole
Just because the physical sliding doors are locked doesn't mean the company stops taking your money. The website and the app are very much "open."
Walmart has been pushing their "Black Friday Deals" events throughout the entire month of November. They’ve split things into phases this year. The second big wave of deals actually kicks off online on Monday, November 25.
If you're a Walmart+ member, you usually get a few hours of early access. This is huge if you’re trying to snag a specific TV or a gaming console that usually sells out in minutes. While you’re waiting for the pie to bake on Thursday, you can still scroll through the app and buy stuff. You just won't be able to pick it up until Friday at the earliest.
Real-World Advice: The "Last-Minute" Panic
Let’s be real for a second. If you realize at 10:00 AM on Thursday that you don't have enough butter, Walmart isn't an option. But some places are open.
Most CVS and Walgreens locations stay open, though their pharmacies might be closed. Some grocery chains like Kroger or Wegmans often stay open until the early afternoon (think 2:00 PM or 4:00 PM), but it varies wildly by zip code.
If you’re a Walmart regular, you’ve basically got until 11:00 PM on Wednesday to get your life together. After that, you’re looking at a 31-hour wait until the Friday morning rush.
The Black Friday Strategy
If you are planning to hit the store on Friday morning, don't just wing it. The "Event 2" in-store deals start at that 6:00 AM mark.
- Check the app first. Use the "Store Map" feature. It sounds nerdy, but knowing exactly which aisle has the 75-inch TVs saves you from wandering aimlessly while someone else grabs the last one.
- Verify local hours. While most stores hit that 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM window, some smaller Neighborhood Markets might have slightly different schedules.
- The "Oversized" Trick. New for 2024, Walmart is pushing QR codes in-store for big items. If you see a massive trampoline or a fridge, you can scan it and schedule delivery rather than trying to cram it into your sedan.
Final Word on the 2024 Schedule
The bottom line is that the retail landscape has shifted for good. The pressure to be open 24/7 has eased up in favor of employee retention and "family-first" branding. Whether you love it or hate it, it means you need to be prepared.
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Stock up on the essentials—milk, eggs, rolls—by Tuesday or Wednesday. If you find yourself needing a new air fryer or a set of AirPods, wait until the online deals drop earlier in the week or set your alarm for Friday morning.
Next Steps for Your Holiday Prep:
- Audit your pantry now: Check for the high-risk items like chicken broth and spices that always run out.
- Download the Walmart app: This is the only way to track "online-only" deals that won't be in the aisles on Friday.
- Sign up for a Walmart+ trial: If you want that 5-hour head start on the online deals starting Nov 25, it’s worth the temporary membership.