Walmart December 25 Closure 2025: Why Stores Shut & Reopen

Planning a last-minute Christmas run? Here’s what you need to know: Walmart is shutting down all 4,606 US stores on December 25, 2025, giving employees the full day off. This article covers the closure reason, exact hours around the holiday, and how it compares to other major retailers so you can plan your shopping without surprises.

Number of Walmart US stores closed on December 25: 4,606 ·
Closure duration: 24 hours ·
Reopening time on December 26: 6:00 a.m. ·
Christmas Eve store hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ·
Other major retailers closed on Dec 25: Costco, Target, Aldi, Home Depot

All six key facts about Walmart’s December 25 closure in an easy-to-scan table:

The pattern: Walmart treats Christmas as a total shutdown, not a half-day — a deliberate choice to give workers a true break.

Why is Walmart closing all its US stores on December 25th?

Walmart closes every one of its US stores on Christmas Day to give employees the day off to spend with their families. A company spokesperson confirmed that all locations nationwide will remain closed on December 25, 2025 (same source as above). The closure is an annual tradition, but this year the retailer explicitly framed it as a “24-hour blackout” — no store operations, no curbside pickup, no last-minute grocery runs.

The reason goes beyond holiday spirit. For a chain that employs roughly 1.6 million people in the US, coordinating a full-day shutdown sends a strong signal about employee priorities. The Washington Retail Association confirmed the scale: “Walmart will close all 4,606 of its United States stores for a full day on December 25” (same source — Washington Retail Association statement cited in the video). The implication: Walmart is willing to lose a day of sales — estimated in the hundreds of millions — to reinforce a company-wide policy.

The implication: Walmart is willing to lose a day of sales — estimated in the hundreds of millions — to reinforce a company-wide policy.

Is Walmart closed on Christmas near me?

Yes — regardless of location, all 4,606 Walmart US stores are closed on December 25, 2025. No exceptions have been announced (same source as above). That means no in-store shopping, no curbside pickup, and no returns.

Which Walmart locations are closed on December 25?

• Every standard Walmart store across all 50 states
• Walmart Neighborhood Markets
• Walmart Supercenters

Are gas stations and pharmacies at Walmart also closed?

The main stores are shut, which typically means no access to in-store pharmacies or optical centers. However, some Walmart gas stations are independently operated and may set their own hours — that remains unconfirmed for 2025 (ABC7 News (local ABC affiliate)).

The catch: If you rely on Walmart for a Christmas Day prescription, fill it before December 24 at 6 p.m. or find an alternative pharmacy.

The pattern: Walmart’s full closure eliminates even pharmacy access, a significant inconvenience for customers without backup options.

Is Walmart open on the 26th of December?

Yes — all Walmart stores reopen on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. local time (same source as above). Regular operating hours resume, and many locations start post-holiday sales immediately.

What time does Walmart open on December 26?

Doors open at 6:00 a.m. — the same as a normal day. Some stores may open earlier or later depending on local ordinances, so it’s wise to check the store locator ahead of time.

Are hours back to normal on December 26?

Yes, standard hours return. No special holiday schedule applies after Christmas. That means you can expect typical opening times (usually 6 a.m. or 7 a.m.) and closing times (11 p.m. or midnight).

What this means: The 24-hour blackout is cleanly contained to Christmas Day only. Operations snap back to normal the next morning.

What stores are open on Christmas Day?

Walmart isn’t alone in closing. Several major retailers shut their doors on December 25, including Aldi, Costco, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dollar General, and Home Depot (same source as ABC7 article).

Which major retailers are closed on Christmas Day?

• Costco – closed all day
• Target – closed all day
• Aldi – closed all day
• Home Depot – closed all day
• Best Buy – closed all day
• Dick’s Sporting Goods – closed all day
• Dollar General – closed all day

Are any grocery stores open on Christmas Day?

Most large grocery chains close, but some convenience stores and drugstores like CVS and Walgreens may stay open with reduced hours. Gas stations and some restaurants also remain open — always check locally (same source as ABC7 article).

The pattern: The retail landscape on Christmas is divided: big-box stores shut down entirely; smaller operations and essential services run on skeleton crews.

What are Walmart’s holiday hours for 2025?

Walmart publishes its holiday schedule each year. For the 2025 Christmas period, here are the confirmed hours:

Walmart Christmas Eve hours

December 24: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (reduced hours to allow staff to prepare for Christmas).

Walmart New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day hours

New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) typically sees normal or slightly reduced hours. New Year’s Day 2026 hours have not yet been confirmed by Walmart. Historically, the chain has opened with regular hours on January 1, but that may change (same source as above).

Why this matters: Shoppers should treat Christmas Eve as their last full shopping window before a 24-hour gap. New Year’s Day remains uncertain — plan ahead and check in late December.

For shoppers in the US, the choice is clear: plan your Christmas Eve run carefully before 6 p.m. on December 24, or wait until the doors swing open again at 6 a.m. on December 26. Walmart’s 24-hour blackout is a rare full-stop in a normally nonstop retail machine — and it’s worth respecting if you want to avoid a cold Christmas without that forgotten ingredient.