Walmart Christmas Eve Hours 2025: Complete Guide to Holiday Shopping Times

Quick Answer: Walmart hours Christmas Eve 2025 are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. All stores are closed Christmas Day and reopen December 26 at 6:00 AM.

Christmas is literally tomorrow, and if you’re like most Americans, you probably still have a few things left on your list. Maybe you forgot to grab cranberry sauce, or maybe your nephew just texted saying he’s coming home after all and you need to find him something. Whatever the reason, knowing when Walmart is open on Christmas Eve could save your holiday dinner.

This year, Christmas Eve falls on Tuesday, December 24, which means you’ve got one final shot at getting everything you need before the big day. Here’s everything you need to know about Walmart’s Christmas Eve hours, the best times to shop, and what you should do if you miss the cutoff.

Walmart Christmas Eve Hours 2025: What Time Does Walmart Close?

Walmart hours Christmas Eve 2025: All Walmart stores across the United States will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24. That’s a solid 12-hour window, but it’s significantly shorter than the typical store hours you’re used to. Most Walmart locations usually operate much longer, but the company cuts hours on December 24 to give employees time with their families.

According to Today.com, this schedule applies to pretty much every Walmart format you can think of. Whether you’re heading to a massive Supercenter that sells everything from groceries to tires, or a smaller Neighborhood Market focused mainly on groceries, the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule is what you’re working with.

One thing to note though – while 6 p.m. is the standard closing time, you might want to call your specific store just to double-check. Some locations in certain regions might have slightly different hours based on local regulations or store policies. The Walmart store locator can give you the exact information for your nearest location.

Is Walmart Open on Christmas Day 2025?

No, Walmart is not open on Christmas Day. Walmart will be completely closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. This isn’t a new thing either – Walmart has been closing on Christmas since way back in 1989 when founder Sam Walton decided that employees deserved to spend the holiday with their families.

So if you’re thinking you’ll just swing by on Christmas morning to grab something you forgot, that’s not going to work. The doors will be locked, the lights will be off, and everyone will be home celebrating. This closure includes everything – Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Vision Centers, all of it.

The good news? Walmart reopens bright and early on December 26 at 6:00 a.m., so if you really need something, you’ve only got to wait until the day after Christmas.

Best Times to Shop: Walmart Christmas Eve Hours Strategy

Let’s be real – Christmas Eve at Walmart is going to be busy no matter when you go. But some times are definitely worse than others. Understanding when to visit during Walmart hours Christmas Eve can save you hours of frustration. According to retail experts and Walmart’s own data, more than 80% of their customers shop in-store during the three days before Christmas. That’s a lot of people fighting over the last ham in the meat section.

Walmart Christmas Eve Closing Time: Last-Minute Shopping Tips

What time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve? Stores close at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Here’s your hour-by-hour breakdown:

Early Morning (6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) – Best Time

This is hands down your best bet. Getting to Walmart right when they open gives you first crack at everything. The overnight crew will have finished restocking, so shelves should be full. You’ll find parking easily, the aisles will be relatively empty, and you can breeze through checkout without waiting in a massive line.

Yeah, waking up early on Christmas Eve might not sound fun, but it beats dealing with the chaos that comes later. Plus, you’ll have the rest of the day to actually enjoy the holiday instead of fighting crowds.

Mid-Morning to Early Afternoon (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) – Avoid This Window

This is when things get absolutely nuts. Late morning and early afternoon are peak shopping times, which means you’re dealing with the worst crowds of the day. Parking lots are packed, checkout lines are long, and popular items start disappearing from shelves.

If you absolutely have to shop during this time, go in with a very specific list and know exactly where everything is located. Don’t wander around browsing – get in, get your stuff, and get out.

Mid to Late Afternoon (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) – Second Best Option

Here’s a little secret: there’s actually a lull in the afternoon. Around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., the crowds thin out as people head home to start their own holiday preparations. You’re cutting it closer to the 6 p.m. closing time, but you might find the shopping experience much more manageable than the morning rush.

The downside? By this point, some items might be picked over. If you’re looking for something specific like a particular type of roast or a popular toy, it might already be gone. But for general groceries and basic items, you should be fine.

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Late Afternoon (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Last Resort Only

This is your absolute last chance, but it’s not ideal. Store employees will start making closing announcements around 5:30 p.m., which adds pressure to an already stressful situation. By this time, shelves can look pretty bare in certain sections, and you might not find exactly what you need.

If you do show up this late, be prepared to make compromises and have backup options in mind. Also, be extra courteous to the staff – they’ve been dealing with holiday crowds all day and just want to get home to their own families.

What About Walmart Pickup and Delivery on Christmas Eve?

Good news if you want to avoid the store entirely – Walmart’s pickup and delivery services are running on Christmas Eve, though with some important limitations.

Express Delivery

Walmart is offering express delivery that can get items to your door in as little as one hour on Christmas Eve. But there’s a catch – you need to place your order by 5:00 p.m. local time. After that cutoff, you’re out of luck for same-day delivery.

Curbside Pickup

Walmart’s curbside pickup is available on Christmas Eve, but time slots fill up fast. If you’re planning to use this service, place your order as early in the morning as possible. Some stores stop accepting pickup orders by mid-afternoon once slots are full.

One thing to remember – these services depend on product availability and staffing, both of which are stretched thin on Christmas Eve. What might normally arrive in an hour could take longer, and some items might be substituted if they’re out of stock.

What Items Should You Prioritize?

Not everything sells out at the same rate on Christmas Eve. If you know what tends to disappear first, you can plan your shopping strategy accordingly.

High-Demand Grocery Items

The grocery section gets absolutely hammered on December 24. People realize at the last minute that they’re missing key ingredients for their holiday meals. Based on shopping patterns, here’s what disappears fastest:

Fresh turkeys and hams fly off the shelves by early afternoon. If you still need your main course, get there early. Baking supplies like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs also go quickly because everyone’s trying to finish their holiday baking. Fresh produce for side dishes, especially green beans, potatoes, and carrots, can be hard to find by evening. And don’t even get me started on dinner rolls and pre-made desserts – those are gone before lunch in many locations.

Last-Minute Gifts

Gift cards are the ultimate last-minute present, and Walmart sells a ton of them on Christmas Eve. The good thing about gift cards is that they don’t really “sell out,” but popular retailers might run low on certain denominations.

Toys can be hit or miss depending on what’s popular this year. By Christmas Eve, the hottest items are usually long gone, but you can often find decent alternatives. Electronics like headphones, chargers, and gaming accessories tend to stick around because there’s usually good stock of these items.

Forgotten Essentials

Batteries are crucial for all those new toys, and they sell out fast. Stock up if you need them. Wrapping paper, gift bags, and bows can be surprisingly hard to find by late afternoon. If you still need to wrap presents, grab these early. And don’t forget about stocking stuffers – candy, small toys, and personal care items that make good filler gifts go quickly.

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What About Walmart Pharmacy and Other Services?

Here’s something important that catches people off guard – not all departments within Walmart keep the same hours on Christmas Eve.

Pharmacy Hours

Walmart Pharmacy locations typically close earlier than the main store on Christmas Eve. Many pharmacies shut down around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., but some locations close even earlier, sometimes as early as 3:00 p.m.

If you need to pick up prescriptions on December 24, call your pharmacy directly in the morning to confirm their hours. Don’t assume they’re open until the store closes, or you might end up making a wasted trip. And remember, pharmacies are closed on Christmas Day too, so if you need medications, get them on the 24th.

Vision Centers

Walmart Vision Centers usually have reduced hours or close completely on Christmas Eve. If you need to pick up glasses or contacts, plan to do it well before the holiday. These departments are definitely not operating until 6 p.m.

Photo Centers and Auto Care

In-store photo printing and auto care centers also maintain reduced hours. If you need last-minute prints or car work done, call ahead. These service departments often close mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve.

Walmart Closing Time Christmas Eve 2025: Alternative Options

Walmart closing time Christmas Eve is 6:00 p.m., but if you need items after hours or on Christmas Day itself, here are your alternatives:

Pharmacies Open on Christmas

If you need over-the-counter medications, toiletries, or emergency supplies, CVS and Walgreens are your best bet. Many locations stay open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though hours vary significantly. Some CVS stores operate regular hours on Christmas Day, while others have reduced hours or are closed. Walgreens locations are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 25, though 24-hour locations remain open around the clock.

Convenience Stores and Gas Stations

7-Eleven locations are typically open 24/7, including Christmas Day. They won’t have fresh turkeys, but you can find snacks, drinks, batteries, and basic household items. Sheetz, Wawa, and other major convenience store chains also stay open through the holidays. They’re great for grabbing forgotten items like ice, soft drinks, or last-minute snacks.

Restaurants and Fast Food

If your backup plan involves just ordering food instead of cooking, quite a few restaurants stay open on Christmas. Chinese restaurants are famously open on December 25, and many fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ operate on Christmas Day with reduced hours.

Why Does Walmart Close Early on Christmas Eve?

It’s worth understanding why retailers like Walmart reduce hours during the holidays. It’s not just about giving employees a break (though that’s definitely part of it).

Employee Wellbeing

Walmart employs over 1.6 million people in the United States, and many of them work extremely demanding schedules during the holiday season. Retail workers deal with long shifts, difficult customers, and the general stress that comes with peak shopping periods. Closing at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve gives associates time to get home, spend the evening with family, and actually enjoy some of the holiday themselves.

Reduced Customer Traffic

Retail analytics consistently show that foot traffic drops significantly after mid-afternoon on December 24. Most people have already finished their shopping by then. The customers who do show up late in the day tend to be picking up just one or two forgotten items, not doing major shopping trips. From a business perspective, staying open late doesn’t make much sense when so few customers are coming in.

Preparation for Christmas Closure

Closing at 6:00 p.m. also gives stores time to complete end-of-day procedures, secure the building, and make sure everything’s set for the Christmas Day closure. Walmart takes security seriously, and having time to properly close down the store is important.

The Economics of Christmas Eve Shopping

You might be wondering why retailers even bother staying open on Christmas Eve if it’s such a hassle. The answer is simple: money. Lots of it.

December 24 generates approximately $14.8 billion in retail transactions across the United States. That’s billion with a “B.” For context, that’s more revenue than many retailers make in an entire month during slower times of the year.

Research shows that roughly 31% of consumers wait until the last minute to finish their holiday shopping. Some of this is procrastination, sure, but there are legitimate reasons too. People waiting for final paychecks, unexpected guests, or simply forgetting items – all of this drives significant traffic to stores like Walmart on December 24.

Interestingly, about 42% of Christmas Eve shoppers actually plan ahead and arrive before noon specifically to beat the crowds. These aren’t true procrastinators – they’re strategic last-minute shoppers who know exactly what they’re doing.

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Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Eve Shopping Trip

If you’re reading this the morning of December 24 and need to make a Walmart run, here are some practical tips to make your life easier:

Make a Specific List

Don’t walk into Walmart without knowing exactly what you need. Write down every item, check your recipes to make sure you have all ingredients, and think through any gifts you still need to buy. Wandering around hoping you’ll remember everything is a recipe for stress and forgotten items.

Use the Walmart App

Download the Walmart app if you haven’t already. It shows real-time inventory for your specific store, helps you locate items within the store layout, and can even show you how busy the store is at any given moment. This information is incredibly valuable for planning your trip.

Bring Backup Options

If you’re looking for a specific brand of something, have alternatives in mind. By Christmas Eve afternoon, many specific items are gone, but similar products are usually available. Being flexible saves time and stress.

Go Alone If Possible

This might sound harsh, but don’t bring your whole family on a Christmas Eve Walmart trip unless absolutely necessary. Going solo or with just one other person lets you move faster and make decisions more quickly. The crowds are stressful enough without trying to keep track of kids or coordinate with multiple people.

Check Your Car for Space

This seems obvious, but make sure you actually have room in your car for everything you’re buying. If you’re picking up a turkey, several bags of groceries, and last-minute gifts, you need trunk space. Don’t be the person trying to jam a frozen turkey into an already-full car.

Be Kind to Staff

Walmart employees deal with an enormous amount of stress during the holidays. They’re working long shifts, handling difficult customers, and constantly restocking shelves. A simple “thank you” or a patient attitude when something’s out of stock goes a long way. These folks are working on Christmas Eve so you can buy your forgotten items – show some appreciation.

What Happens on December 26?

Walmart reopens on December 26 at 6:00 a.m., and that day brings its own unique shopping phenomenon. The day after Christmas is huge for returns, exchanges, and gift card spending. If you received a gift that doesn’t fit or isn’t quite right, December 26 is when you can take care of it.

Walmart typically extends their return policy during the holiday season. Items purchased between October 1 and December 31 can usually be returned through January 31 of the following year, giving you plenty of time to deal with returns without rushing.

December 26 is also when holiday clearance really kicks in. Christmas decorations, seasonal items, and holiday-themed merchandise all go on deep discount. If you’re thinking ahead to next year’s decorations, hitting up Walmart on the 26th can save you serious money.

The Bigger Picture: Christmas Shopping in 2025

Christmas shopping patterns have evolved significantly over the years. E-commerce has changed everything, yet physical stores remain incredibly important during the holidays. Despite all the online options available, people still show up in person on Christmas Eve because sometimes you just need something right now.

The convenience of stores like Walmart being open on December 24 can’t be understated. When you realize at 3:00 p.m. that you’re missing a key ingredient, being able to run to a nearby store saves the day. That immediacy and reliability is why Walmart and other retailers continue opening on Christmas Eve despite the operational challenges.

Final Thoughts on Walmart Christmas Eve Hours 2025

Walmart Christmas Eve hours 2025 are straightforward: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, followed by complete closure on Christmas Day. When asking “what time does Walmart close on Christmas Eve 2025?” – the answer is 6:00 p.m. sharp across all locations. Stores reopen at 6:00 a.m. on December 26.

Your best strategy is shopping early in the morning when crowds are minimal and shelves are fully stocked. If you can’t make the early window, aim for that mid-afternoon lull around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Just don’t wait until 5:30 p.m. and expect to have a pleasant experience.

Use the Walmart app, make a specific list, have backup options ready, and be prepared to be flexible if certain items aren’t available. Most importantly, remember that Walmart employees are working on Christmas Eve to serve customers, so treat them with patience and kindness.

Christmas Eve shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right planning and realistic expectations, you can get in, get what you need, and get home with plenty of time to enjoy the holiday with your family.

And hey, if all else fails and you forget something? There’s always Chinese takeout on Christmas Day.