You're standing in the parking lot, peering through the glass, and the doors aren't budging. We've all been there. It’s annoying, honestly. When you're looking for the Target Christiana Mall hours, you’d think a quick search would give you a straight answer, but the reality is kinda messy. Why? Because the Target in Newark, Delaware, is an "anchor" store. It has its own rules.
Most people assume that if the Christiana Mall is open, Target is open. Or worse, they assume if the mall is closed, Target is also closed. Both of those can be wrong.
The Core Target Christiana Mall Hours You Need to Know
Let’s cut to the chase. The standard operating hours for this specific location at 800 Christiana Mall usually run longer than the interior mall shops. While the "mall hours" often wrap up at 8:00 PM on weeknights, Target frequently stays open until 10:00 PM or even 11:00 PM.
Here is the typical breakdown for the Newark, DE location:
- Monday through Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wait, check that. Some seasons, they push it to 11:00 PM. Currently, for early 2026, the standard is a 10:00 PM close. But here is the kicker: the Christiana Mall itself usually doesn't open its main doors until 10:00 AM and often kicks everyone out by 8:00 PM.
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If you show up at 8:30 AM to grab milk and diapers, you can't walk through the mall to get to Target. You have to use the exterior entrance. It sounds like a small detail until you’re walking in the rain trying to find which door actually opens.
Why the Pharmacy and Starbucks Have Different Rules
It would be too easy if everything inside the store followed the same schedule. It doesn’t.
The CVS Pharmacy inside the Christiana Target is a separate beast. Generally, the pharmacy opens later and closes much earlier than the main store. On a typical weekday, you're looking at a 9:00 AM start, and they often shut down for a lunch break between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM. If you show up at 1:45 PM expecting your meds, you’re going to be staring at a "Back in 15 Minutes" sign while sitting on a patio chair in the aisle.
The Starbucks inside usually aligns closer to the store hours but typically stops serving around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Don't expect a venti latte at 9:55 PM just because the registers are still humming.
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Holiday Shifts and the Delaware Tax-Free Rush
Delaware is the land of tax-free shopping. This makes the Target Christiana Mall hours during the holidays absolutely chaotic. People drive from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey just to save that 6% or 7% on electronics.
During the "Black Friday" season or the weeks leading up to Christmas, Target often extends its hours until midnight. Conversely, they are one of the few major retailers that have stayed firm on closing for Thanksgiving Day.
Pro tip: If you are visiting during a tax-free holiday weekend, the "standard" hours go out the window. The parking lot becomes a battlefield. I’ve seen people circling for forty minutes just to get a spot near the Target entrance. If you can, use the Drive Up service. It’s usually available from the time the store opens until the moment it closes, and you don’t have to deal with the mall traffic.
Dealing with Mall Walkers and Early Birds
The Christiana Mall actually opens its doors at 8:00 AM for mall walkers. This is a weird Delaware tradition. So, while the stores (like Apple or Macy’s) aren't open, the corridors are. However, Target’s exterior doors are still your best bet if you're arriving right at 8:00 AM.
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If you are coming from Wilmington or across the line in Maryland, remember that Exit 4 on I-95 can be a nightmare. Even if Target is open until 10:00 PM, the traffic at 5:30 PM might make a 15-minute trip take an hour. Plan your "Target Run" for after 7:30 PM if you want to breathe.
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Use the Target App: Before you put your shoes on, check the "My Store" tab. It updates in real-time for things like power outages or emergency early closures.
- Enter via the Outside: If it’s before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM, don't even try the mall corridors. Go straight to the main Target parking lot entrance.
- Call the Pharmacy Directly: If you need a prescription, call (302) 252-0543 (the direct line for the CVS inside) to ensure a pharmacist is actually on-site before you make the drive.
- Drive-Up is King: Save yourself the tax-free-shopping headache. Place the order in the app, wait for the notification, and let them bring it to your car. It’s the only way to survive Christiana Mall on a Saturday.
Basically, just don't trust the hours posted on the mall's general website for the anchor stores. Target plays by its own clock.
Check your app, park outside, and get that tax-free haul without the headache.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
You should check your Target Circle rewards in the app before heading out, as the Christiana location often has specific "Drive Up" bonus offers that aren't available for in-store checkout.