Lifestyle

Anything Open on Christmas Day? A Simple Guide for Last-Minute Plans

Published

1 week ago

November 21, 2025

Admin

Anything open on christmas day, calm, and quiet but that quiet can quickly turn stressful when you realize you need food, groceries, or something essential and almost everything looks closed. Don’t worry, though. Even on December 25th, some places stay open, and if you know where to look, you can still find restaurants, stores, and services running with special holiday hours.

This guide explains what usually stays open, what definitely closes, and how to find places near you when you’re out on Christmas Day.

Big Stores: Mostly Closed, But a Few Exceptions

Almost every major retail chain treats Christmas as a full holiday. That means:

Walmart – Closed
Target – Closed
Costco – Closed
Best Buy – Closed
Macy’s & Kohl’s – Closed

So if you’re planning last-minute gift shopping, Christmas Day won’t help you.

But… not everything closes.

Convenience stores usually stay open, especially:

7-Eleven
Circle K
Quick Mart–type stores
Many gas-station shops

They’re reliable for snacks, water, ice cream, bread, or everyday essentials.

Some pharmacies also operate:

A few 24-hour Walgreens locations
Selected CVS branches
(But hours vary, so it’s smart to check before going.)

Restaurants: More Open Than You Might Think

If Christmas cooking isn’t your plan, you’re not alone. Several restaurants stay open usually with slightly shorter hours.

Common restaurants open on Christmas Day:

IHOP – Many branches open for breakfast and lunch
Waffle House – Famous for being open 365 days a year
Denny’s – Often open all day
Starbucks – Selected locations open with limited hours
Chinese and Asian Restaurants – Many stay open traditionally
Some hotel restaurants – Usually open for guests and visitors

Upscale options like Brazilian steakhouses or seafood places sometimes open too, depending on the city.

If you want a dine-out experience on Christmas, calling ahead makes everything easier.

Gas Stations & Travel Stops

If you’re traveling, good news:
Most gas stations, highway rest stops, and 24-hour travel centers stay open on Christmas Day. Fuel, washrooms, snacks, and hot drinks are usually available anytime.

Great for long drives, especially during winter weather.

Local Shops: Depends on the Community

Small shops, bakeries, cafes, and local restaurants may open if:

The area has heavy tourist activity
The owner celebrates Christmas Eve but not Christmas Day
The neighborhood has strong weekend or holiday foot traffic

So you might find a cozy café or a local diner open unexpectedly but only if the area is lively.

Delivery Apps on Christmas Day

Food delivery is hit or miss on December 25th, but:

DoorDash
Uber Eats
Grubhub

…often have some drivers available, depending on your city. If a restaurant is open, chances are delivery might work too.

But expect longer waiting times because fewer drivers are active.

How to Quickly Check What’s Open

Here’s a simple trick:

On Google Maps

Search:
Open Christmas Day near me
or
Restaurants open now

Google usually updates holiday hours a day before Christmas.

Call the place

The fastest and most accurate method especially for local shops.

Check their social media

Many small places announce holiday timings on Instagram or Facebook.

Best Things to Buy on Christmas Day (When Options Are Limited)

If you really need something and most stores are closed, here’s what you can reliably get from open places:

Basic groceries (milk, snacks, coffee, bread)
Over-the-counter medicine
Drinks, treats, and packaged foods
Ready-made meals from restaurants
Travel supplies (chargers, toiletries, batteries)

Christmas Day shopping isn’t luxurious but it’s definitely doable.

In Short

Anything open on christmas day feels like everything shuts down… but you still have options. With a little planning and some smart searching, you can find food, fuel, medication, and even restaurants without any trouble.