You're standing in the kitchen, turkey's in the oven, and you suddenly realize you forgot that specific roasting pan or maybe a set of festive napkins to keep the peace at the kids' table. Naturally, you think of Kohl's. But before you grab your keys and head out, there is something you really need to know about Kohl's Thanksgiving hours.
Honestly, the "good old days" of sprinting to the department store right after finishing your pumpkin pie are pretty much over. It's a huge shift. For years, retailers raced to see who could open earliest on Thanksgiving Day, often pushing doors open at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. while people were still chewing their stuffing.
That's changed.
The Reality of Kohl's Thanksgiving Hours
Here is the bottom line: Kohl's is closed on Thanksgiving Day. This isn't a "maybe" or a "check your local store" situation. For 2025—and looking ahead into the 2026 season—Kohl's has doubled down on its commitment to keep physical doors locked on the holiday itself. It's the sixth year in a row they've done this. They want their employees, or "associates" as they call them, to actually eat dinner with their families.
It started back in 2020 during the pandemic, mostly for safety, but it stuck because, frankly, it's popular with staff and hasn't hurt the bottom line as much as you'd think. Most major players like Target and Walmart are doing the exact same thing.
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Does this mean you can't shop?
Not even close. While the brick-and-mortar stores are dark, the website is very much alive. In fact, most of the "doorbuster" deals usually go live on Kohls.com at 12:01 a.m. CT on Thanksgiving morning. So, if you're a night owl or just want to shop while the turkey brines, you can.
What about Black Friday?
This is where things get intense. If you're the type who needs to feel the fabric or see the air fryer in person, you'll have to wait until Friday.
- Opening Time: Most Kohl's stores open at 5 a.m. local time on Black Friday.
- The Early Bird Perks: In 2025, they did this "Holiday Quest" thing where the first 200 people in line got Kohl's Cash—anywhere from $5 to $100. A few even hit a $10,000 jackpot.
- The Crowd Factor: 5 a.m. is early, but people start lining up way before that. If you aren't there by 4:15 a.m., don't expect to be in that first group of 200.
Why the "Closed" Sign is Actually a Strategy
You might wonder why a massive corporation would just give up a whole day of sales. It’s basically about shifting demand. By staying closed on Thursday, Kohl's creates a "pressure cooker" effect for Friday morning. It builds anticipation. Plus, it saves them a fortune on holiday pay and utility costs for thousands of massive buildings.
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Retail experts like those at the National Retail Federation (NRF) have noted that consumers have actually adapted. We don't mind shopping on our phones under the table at dinner as long as the store is open the next morning for the "experience."
Survival Tips for the Kohl's Holiday Rush
If you're planning to brave the 5 a.m. opening, you need a plan. Walking in blind is a recipe for stress.
- Check the App First: Download the Kohl's app. You can scan barcodes in the store to see if there's a better price online or if a coupon applies.
- Kohl's Cash is King: This is the secret sauce. During Thanksgiving week, you usually earn $15 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent. If you’re buying a big-ticket item like a KitchenAid mixer or a Shark vacuum, that "cash" can basically pay for your Christmas decorations later.
- The Amazon Return Hack: Most Kohl's locations have an Amazon return desk. Sometimes, if you drop off an Amazon return during the holiday week, they’ll hand you a 15% or 25% off coupon for Kohl's on the spot. It's not guaranteed, but it happens a lot.
- Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS): If you hate the crowds, buy it on Thanksgiving Day on the website. Choose "In-Store Pickup." You won't be able to get it on Thursday, obviously, but it'll be waiting for you in a locker or at the desk on Friday, and you can skip the checkout lines.
Common Misconceptions About Holiday Hours
People get confused because "Holiday Hours" is a vague term. You might see a sign that says "Extended Hours," but that usually refers to the week leading up to the holiday or the Saturday after.
"I thought they opened at midnight?"
They used to. Some locations experimented with 12 a.m. or 1 a.m. openings a few years back, but most have settled on that 5 a.m. sweet spot. It's safer and easier to staff.
"Is Sephora inside Kohl's open if the store is closed?"
Nope. If the main Kohl's doors are locked for Thanksgiving, the Sephora counter is locked too. They operate on the exact same schedule.
"What about the return policy?"
Kohl's is actually pretty chill here. For the 2025 season, they allowed items bought in early October to be returned all the way through January 31, 2026. So, if you buy something on Black Friday and realize it's the wrong size while you're in a food coma on Saturday, you've got months to fix it.
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Your Action Plan
Don't be the person pulling on a locked door this Thursday. Instead, do this:
- Wednesday Night: Load your online cart. Sort out your sizes and colors so you aren't guessing when the deals go live.
- Thursday Morning: Check the website around midnight Central Time. Grab the "Doorbusters" before they sell out.
- Friday, 4:30 a.m.: If you want the physical prizes or the "first 200" Kohl's Cash, be in the parking lot. Dress in layers; it’s always colder than you think while standing on a sidewalk.
- Check Local Variance: While corporate says 5 a.m., stores in some malls have to follow mall hours. If your Kohl's is inside a major shopping center, call them on Wednesday to be 100% sure they aren't opening at 6 a.m. instead.
Basically, enjoy your turkey. Stay home. The deals aren't going anywhere, and you can get most of them while wearing pajamas on your couch.
For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute info on your specific branch, use the Kohl's Store Locator on their official site. It's the only way to account for local "blue laws" or mall-specific schedules that might tweak those opening times by an hour or two.
Next Steps:
- Download the Kohl's App and link your "Yes2You" or "Kohl's Rewards" account now so your coupons are ready.
- Check your local store's specific map to see if they have a dedicated "Store Pickup" entrance to bypass the main Black Friday line.
- Verify your Kohl's Cash balance from previous purchases to see if any expires before the big sale starts.