Christmas Day is weird. You’ve got this bizarre tension between the "silent night" vibe everyone talks about and the frantic reality of realizing you forgot the heavy cream for the soup or, worse, the batteries for a screaming toddler’s new toy. Most of the country essentially evaporates for twenty-four hours. Streets are empty. The local grocery store is locked tight.
If you're wondering what is open on Xmas, you're basically looking for the outliers. The rebels. The places that realize that even on December 25th, people still get flat tires, run out of milk, or simply can't stand the thought of cooking another massive meal.
Honestly, the list is shorter than it used to be. A few years ago, you could count on a lot of "big box" retailers to have at least limited hours. Not anymore. The trend has swung hard toward giving employees the day off, which is great for them, but kinda stressful for you if you’re staring at an empty fridge.
The Gas Station Gamble and the Pharmacy Lifeline
Don't expect the mall to be open. It isn't. But you can almost always count on the gas stations.
Wawa, Sheetz, and 7-Eleven are the unsung heroes of Christmas Day. They don't just sell gas; they sell those weirdly specific things you forgot. Need a half-gallon of 2% milk? They’ve got it. Need a pre-packaged sandwich because the turkey burned? Done. Most 7-Eleven locations are franchised, so while the corporate mandate is usually to stay open 24/7, a stray location might close if the owner decides to. But 99% of the time, those neon lights are your North Star.
Then there are the pharmacies. This is where it gets a little more nuanced. CVS and Walgreens are usually open, but—and this is a big "but"—the pharmacy counter itself often has different hours than the front of the store. You can go in and buy a festive card and a bag of Reese’s Cups at 3:00 PM, but the pharmacist who can fill your antibiotic might have gone home at noon.
Walgreens is typically the most reliable bet for 24-hour locations remaining 24-hour locations. Rite Aid, depending on your region and their ongoing restructuring, is much more hit-or-miss. Always check their specific store locator before driving out in the snow.
Why Starbucks stays open (mostly)
Coffee is a necessity, not a luxury, at least for the parents who were woken up at 5:00 AM by children high on sugar and adrenaline. Starbucks is famously open on Christmas, but it’s not a universal rule. Locations in business districts or inside Target stores will be closed because the building they’re in is closed. Standalone drive-thrus are your best bet.
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Dunkin’ follows a similar logic. Since many are franchises, the guy running the shop down the street might decide to close so he can open presents. Usually, though, they stay open with reduced hours, maybe closing by 2:00 PM.
Sitting Down to Eat: What is Open on Xmas for Dinner?
If you aren't doing the traditional home-cooked feast, you have options, but they aren't fancy. Unless you go the hotel route.
High-end hotels—think Marriott, Hilton, or the Ritz—never close. Their onsite restaurants are legally and practically obligated to feed their guests. If you're willing to pay a premium, you can usually snag a reservation for a very posh Christmas dinner at a hotel restaurant. It’s a great hack if you want a "real" meal without the dishes.
For the rest of us? It's the "Triple D" approach: Denny’s, IHOP, and Waffle House.
Waffle House is the gold standard here. They famously stay open through hurricanes and disasters; a little holiday isn't going to stop the scattered, smothered, and covered hashbrowns. It’s a vibe. You’ll see people in pajamas, people in suits, and exhausted healthcare workers all eating together.
- Denny’s: Always open. 24/7, 365 days a year.
- IHOP: Most locations stay open, though some might shave off a few hours in the evening.
- Huddle House: Similar to Waffle House, especially in the South.
- Fogo de Chão: Surprisingly, many Brazilian steakhouses stay open, though you absolutely need a reservation weeks in advance.
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Usually open with a special holiday menu.
The Chinese Food Tradition
We have to talk about Chinese food. It is the unofficial official meal of Christmas for millions of people, especially in Jewish communities or for anyone who doesn't celebrate the religious aspect of the day.
In major cities like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago, you will find dozens of options. In smaller towns, the local family-owned Chinese buffet is often the only non-fast-food option in a twenty-mile radius. Because these businesses aren't tied to the Christian calendar in the same way, they provide a vital service. Just be prepared for a long wait. Everyone else has the same idea you do.
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What is Definitely Closed (Don't Even Try)
It’s worth listing these just so you don't waste the gas.
- Target and Walmart: They are closed. Every single one of them. This was a shift that happened a few years ago and seems to be permanent. They used to compete for those last-minute shoppers, but now they value the "closed for the holiday" PR more.
- Costco: They are famously closed on major holidays.
- The Post Office: No mail. No shipping.
- The Stock Market: Wall Street takes the day off.
- Public Libraries: Closed, though their digital lending apps like Libby still work.
- Government Buildings: DMV, courthouses, city hall—all locked.
Entertainment: Movies and Beyond
If you’re wondering what is open on Xmas because you’re bored out of your mind after the presents are unwrapped, the movie theater is your sanctuary.
Christmas Day is actually one of the biggest days of the year for the film industry. Studios often time their biggest "prestige" releases or massive blockbusters for December 25th. AMC, Regal, and Cinemark will all be running full schedules. It’s a great way to escape the house for three hours.
Theme parks are another one. If you’re near Orlando or Anaheim, Disney World and Disneyland are not only open, they are usually at peak capacity. It is arguably the busiest day of the year for them. Universal Studios follows suit.
Grocery Stores: The "Almost" List
Most major chains like Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods are closed. However, there are regional exceptions.
- Albertsons/Safeway: Sometimes open with limited hours (e.g., 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
- Vons: Often open for a half-day.
- Cumberland Farms: Generally open.
The Logic of the Holiday Shift
It’s getting harder to find open doors. Why? Because the labor market changed. It’s not just about "corporate kindness"; it’s about the fact that it’s incredibly expensive to staff a store on Christmas Day. Most places have to pay time-and-a-half or double-time. If the foot traffic doesn't justify the payroll, they shut down.
Also, there’s a cultural shift. People are increasingly vocal about workers' rights. A brand that stays open on Christmas risks a "let them stay home" social media backlash, unless they are an essential service like a hospital or a gas station.
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Practical Steps for Christmas Day Survival
If you find yourself in a pinch, don't just drive around aimlessly.
First, use the app, not the website. Store websites often have "default" hours that don't reflect holiday closures. The specific store apps (like the Starbucks or CVS app) are usually updated by the local manager and are much more accurate.
Second, call ahead. It sounds old-school, but a thirty-second phone call can save you a twenty-minute drive. If no one picks up after ten rings, they're closed.
Third, check delivery apps. Open UberEats or DoorDash. If a restaurant is taking orders, they’re obviously open. Even if you don't want delivery, it’s the fastest way to see a list of who is cooking in your immediate area.
Fourth, look for "Mom and Pop" shops. Independent convenience stores or ethnic grocery stores (Indian, Middle Eastern, or Asian markets) often stay open because they don't observe the holiday. They are often better stocked for actual cooking ingredients than a 7-Eleven.
Finally, embrace the limitation. If everything is closed and you're out of luck, that's just part of the day's story. Some of the best Christmas memories come from a "picnic" of gas station nachos and gas station wine because the turkey was a disaster and the grocery store was shut.
Check your local listings for movie times about 48 hours in advance, as that's when the final Christmas Day schedules are usually locked in. If you need a pharmacy, prioritize the 24-hour Walgreens locations as they are the statistically most likely to be operational. For food, if it isn't a diner or Chinese takeout, expect to wait or need a reservation. Plan for the "Great Shutdown," and you won't be caught off guard.