Any Stores Open On Christmas Day

So, it’s Christmas morning. You’re in your PJs, a half-eaten gingerbread man is staring at you from the coffee table, and then it hits you. You’ve forgotten the butter. Or the eggs. Or—heaven forbid—the wine. Don’t panic.

I’m here to be your holiday hero. I’m talking about the brave, fluorescent-lit souls who keep their doors open on December 25th. We need to talk about them, because they’re the realest MVPs of the season.

The Pharmacy Squad: Lifesavers for the Sniffling

First up: CVS and Walgreens. These places are basically the marines of retail. Most locations stay open regular hours, even on Christmas Day.

Need a last-minute gift card? A tube of wrapping paper that’s not holiday-themed? A gallon of milk and a peach Snapple for that one relative who refuses to drink anything else? They’ve got you. They also have medicine, which is crucial if your family holiday cough turns into a full-blown opera by noon.

Just don’t expect a friendly greeting from the cashier. They’re working Christmas—cut them some slack. Smile, thank them, and get out of their way.

The Grocery Gamblers: 7-Eleven and Your Local Bodega

Let’s be real: if you need fresh rosemary for the roast, you’re out of luck. But if you need a bag of chips, a liter of soda, and a questionable hot dog that’s been spinning since Tuesday? 7-Eleven is your sanctuary.

These places are a Christmas miracle. They run on a skeleton crew, but they’re open. It’s almost poetic. You’ll find other desperate souls in there—the guy buying beer for his in-laws, the mom frantically searching for a single onion. It’s a shared, slightly sad, but oddly beautiful experience.

Pro tip: bring cash. Sometimes their card machines are as festive as a broken snow globe.

Stores Open on Christmas Day 2026 List - National Day Review

The Fast-Food Fortresses: KFC, McDonald’s, and the Chinese Food Conspiracy

Here’s a classic. If you’re Jewish, or just tired of turkey, you already know the sacred truth: Chinese restaurants are open. It’s a Christmas tradition that’s older than your uncle’s sweater. The food is hot, the service is sometimes brisk, and it’s glorious.

But let’s talk fast food. McDonald’s? It’s a crapshoot. Some locations close, some stay open. Your best bet is to check the app, or just drive by and squint at the sign. KFC is a solid choice, especially if you want to confuse your family with a bucket of fried chicken on the holiest of days.

“What’s this, Mom?” You can say “It’s a parable of modern convenience, sweetie. Eat your drumstick.”

The Gas Station Gods: Love’s, Sheetz, and Wawa

If you live near a Wawa or a Sheetz, you already know. These places are like little bunkers of normalcy. They have coffee. They have sandwiches. They have a weirdly good selection of snacks.

They’re open 365 days a year. The employees there have seen it all. They’ve seen you cry over a broken Christmas ornament. They’ve seen you buy three Red Bulls at 7 AM. They are unphased by your holiday panic.

Christmas Eve supermarket opening times | The Standard

Go there. Grab a hoagie. Rejoice in the fact that you don’t have to eat canned cranberry sauce as a primary meal.

The Unexpected Angels: Movie Theaters (Maybe?)

This is a wild card. Some movie theaters open their doors on Christmas Day. Why? Because families go. They go to escape. They go to watch a superhero punch something after hearing “Jingle Bells” for six hours straight.

Call ahead. Seriously. Don’t just show up expecting a showing of a 1998 rom-com. But if they’re open, it’s a vibe. Popcorn for dinner? Yes, please. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a reason.

The Final, Grumpy Truth

Here’s the thing: most big stores—Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy—are closed. Like, locked-up, nobody-home closed. Don’t waste your gas. Don’t be the person who pulls on a metal gate at 2 PM.

So, what do you do? You embrace the chaos. You pivot. You go to a gas station for a frozen pizza. You learn to love a microwave burrito next to the tree. You remember that the holidays aren’t about the butter. They’re about the people—and the open convenience store that saves your bacon.

Merry Christmas. Now go get that Snapple.