You know that sinking feeling. You’ve finally rallied the kids into the car, or you've just finished a brutal shift and realized you’re out of milk, detergent, and those specific favorite granola bars. You pull into the red-and-white themed parking lot, heart set on a quick run, only to see those automatic sliding doors staying firmly shut. It’s dark inside. The "Open" sign is a lie. Knowing exactly what are Target store hours sounds like a simple task, but honestly, it gets weirdly complicated depending on where you live and what day of the week it is.
Target isn't a 24-hour operation anymore. Most people remember the days when big-box retailers stayed open until the crack of dawn, but those days are basically dead. Now, we’re operating in a world of "standardized" hours that still have plenty of exceptions.
The Standard Rhythm of the Bullseye
For the vast majority of the roughly 1,900 locations across the United States, you can count on a pretty consistent window. Most Target stores open their doors at 8:00 AM and lock them up at 10:00 PM. This applies Monday through Sunday.
But wait.
If you’re in a dense urban area like New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles, things shift. Some of those "City Target" or smaller-format stores might open earlier—think 7:00 AM—to catch the commuters grabbing a caffeine fix or a tech charger before hitting the office. Conversely, some high-traffic suburban locations might push their closing time to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights because, let’s be real, that’s when the "Target Run" turns into a social event.
It’s about the zip code. A store in a quiet retirement community in Florida is going to have a very different vibe and schedule than one sitting right next to a major university campus in Columbus, Ohio. During finals week? That college-town Target is staying open as late as corporate allows.
Holiday Chaos and the "Closed" Sign
Target is famously one of the few giants that has doubled down on giving its employees a break during the major holidays. This wasn't always the case. Remember the Black Friday madness that used to start at 6:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day? That’s gone.
Since 2020, Target has committed to staying closed on Thanksgiving Day. Permanent. No exceptions.
If you’re looking for Target store hours during the winter season, the schedule fluctuates wildly. In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, many stores extend their hours from 7:00 AM to midnight. It’s a marathon for the staff. Then, on Christmas Eve, they usually shut down early—around 8:00 PM—to let people get home. They remain closed all day on Christmas.
Other Days to Watch
- Easter Sunday: Most stores are closed. This catches people off guard every single year because they need last-minute plastic eggs.
- New Year’s Eve: Generally normal hours, maybe a slightly early close at 9:00 PM.
- New Year’s Day: Usually normal hours (8:00 AM – 10:00 PM).
- Fourth of July: Typically open, but individual stores in smaller towns might cut hours if there’s a massive local parade or fireworks event.
Why the Pharmacy and Starbucks Have Their Own Rules
This is the biggest trap. You see the store is open until 10:00 PM, you stroll in at 8:30 PM to pick up a prescription, and—surprise—the CVS Pharmacy inside Target is gated shut.
Target doesn't run those pharmacies; CVS does. Because of that, their hours are a whole separate beast. Most CVS-in-Target locations close around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM on weekdays and even earlier on weekends—often 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. If you show up at 9:00 PM expecting a pharmacist, you’re going to be disappointed.
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The same goes for the Starbucks inside. While they usually try to stay open as long as the store does, staffing shortages often force them to close the espresso machines by 8:00 PM. If the "Starbucks Lead" goes home, the whole counter goes dark.
The Drive-Up and Order Pickup Loophole
Target’s biggest flex in recent years has been their Drive-Up service. It’s slick. But does it follow the store hours? Mostly, yes.
You can usually place an order for Drive-Up as long as the store is open. However, if you place an order at 9:45 PM for a store that closes at 10:00 PM, don't expect it to be ready that night. The "Ready in 2 Hours" promise is the standard, so if you’re shopping late, your pickup window will likely shift to the following morning.
Pro tip: If you arrive for a Drive-Up right at closing time, the app might even prevent you from "checking in" once the clock hits 10:01 PM. The team members are busy clearing the lot and prepping for the overnight restock. Respect the clock.
How to Check Your Local Store Without the Guesswork
Stop Googling "what are target store hours" and looking at the little box on the search results page. Honestly, it’s sometimes wrong because it relies on scraped data that might not reflect a sudden plumbing issue or a localized power outage.
The Target App is the only source of truth. It uses your GPS to find the closest store and shows you "Store Open Until..." right on the home screen. It also breaks down the specific hours for:
- Optical centers
- Pharmacy
- Starbucks
- Ulta Beauty sections (yes, some of these have specific "expert" hours)
- Wine and Spirits (states like Texas or Minnesota have very strict laws about when the liquor section has to be locked up)
Why Are the Hours Shrinking?
You might have noticed that your local store used to be open until 11:00 PM or midnight every night and now it’s consistently 10:00 PM. There are three big reasons for this shift in the retail landscape.
Labor Costs: It’s expensive to keep a 135,000-square-foot building lit, heated, and staffed for three customers who are browsing the clearance endcaps at 11:30 PM.
Safety: Retailers have become increasingly concerned about late-night security incidents. Closing an hour earlier significantly reduces the risk for employees leaving the building.
Inventory Flow: Target has shifted a lot of its focus to "ship-from-store" logistics. When the doors are locked to the public, the store essentially turns into a mini-warehouse where "backroom" teams are flying through the aisles to pack boxes for online orders.
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Misconceptions About "Senior Hours"
During the height of the pandemic, everyone got used to "vulnerable guest" hours. People still ask about these. Currently, Target has largely phased out the dedicated early-morning hours for seniors and those with underlying health conditions at most locations. However, if you prefer a quiet shopping experience, the first hour of operation (8:00 AM to 9:00 AM) on Tuesday and Wednesday is statistically the deadest time in the store. If you want to avoid the crowd, that’s your window.
The Reality of Local Variation
I’ve seen Targets in tourist heavy areas like Orlando stay open until midnight during the summer because they are flooded with Disney-goers needing sunscreen and snacks. I’ve also seen "small format" Targets in downtown areas close at 8:00 PM because the foot traffic disappears once the office buildings empty out.
Never assume. If you’re driving more than ten minutes, check the app.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
To ensure you never waste a trip, follow this checklist before you grab your keys:
- Download the Target App: It’s more accurate than a generic web search and will show you if the Pharmacy or Starbucks has gone home for the day.
- Aim for the "Sweet Spot": If you need help at the Guest Service desk or the Tech department, go between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. This is when stores have the most "specialist" staff on the floor.
- Sunday Morning Strategy: Target is often busiest right after local churches let out (around 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM). If you’re going on a Sunday, go right at 8:00 AM or wait until after 7:00 PM.
- Check the Alcohol Laws: If you are buying booze, remember that in many states, the "Store Hours" don't matter—if the law says no alcohol sales after 9:00 PM, the registers will literally lock those items out.
- The 15-Minute Rule: Most stores start their "The store will be closing in..." announcements 15 minutes prior. If you arrive at 9:50 PM for a 10:00 PM close, you won't have time to browse. They will funnel you toward the self-checkout immediately.