Published: November 27, 2025
If you woke up this morning, checked the turkey, and suddenly realized you forgot cranberries, broth, or foil, you’re definitely not alone. But pulling off a last‑minute save on Thanksgiving Day 2025 is trickier than it used to be: more big retailers are closing completely, while only a patchwork of grocery chains and neighborhood markets are open for limited hours. Axios
At the same time, the cost of a classic Thanksgiving feast is under unusual pressure. Overall “food at home” prices are about 2.7% higher than last year, but Wells Fargo’s Agrifood Institute and the American Farm Bureau Federation both say the cost of a traditional turkey dinner has actually dipped a bit for 2025, thanks to supermarket deals and lower turkey prices. WTAE
Here’s a rundown of who’s open today (Thursday, November 27, 2025), how late you can shop, and the easy‑to‑forget groceries that send people racing back to the store every year.
Big picture: Fewer stores open, shorter hours
Nationally, the trend is clear: Thanksgiving is now mostly a “closed” day for big chains, with Black Friday as the main retail event.
- Axios reports that most of the country’s largest retailers — including Walmart, Target, Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Lidl, and many others — are closed all day today. Axios
- CBS News and WRAL list only a handful of major grocery chains keeping limited hours, while confirming that big-box names like Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Publix and many malls are shut. CBS News
- Hindustan Times and AP echo the same pattern: widespread closures today, with retailers focusing instead on early Black Friday and Cyber Week promotions. Hindustan Times
Translation for shoppers: If you need something today, you’ll mostly be relying on:
- Regional grocery chains running reduced holiday hours
- Select national supermarket chains that close by early or mid‑afternoon
- Drugstores and dollar stores, some with shortened hours
- Independent and neighborhood markets that set their own schedules
Major grocery chains open on Thanksgiving 2025 (and their typical hours)
Hours vary by location, but multiple national round‑ups from CBS, Axios, Hindustan Times and WRAL paint a consistent picture for today: arrive early, and assume most big groceries will be closing between noon and 5 p.m. local time. WRAL News
Here are some of the key chains open today, with general hours based on those reports (always double‑check your local store’s website or app before you go):
National & regional grocery chains
- Kroger family of stores (Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer and others)
Coverage from CBS, Axios and Hindustan Times shows Kroger‑owned chains open this morning but closing early — in some regions around midday, in others mid‑ to late afternoon (often between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.). CBS News - Food Lion
Generally open 7 a.m. until mid‑afternoon, with many stores closing around 3 p.m., and some locations (for example, parts of Virginia) staying open slightly later. CBS News - H‑E‑B
Texas‑based H‑E‑B stores are open early but wrap up by lunchtime, with most locations running 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. CBS News - Wegmans
Most Wegmans locations are open into the afternoon, typically closing around 4 p.m., then reopening early Friday morning. CBS News - Whole Foods Market
Multiple outlets report Whole Foods operating 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in most states, while stores in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island are closed altogether due to local laws. Axios - Meijer
Meijer is one of the later‑closing chains today, typically running 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. News 5 Cleveland WEWS - The Fresh Market
Often open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving shoppers a decent late‑morning window. WRAL News - Sprouts Farmers Market
Holiday hours are generally 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. WRAL News - Acme, Albertsons, Safeway, Giant Food, Ingles, Jewel‑Osco, Smart & Final and other chains
Axios’ national list shows these operating on reduced schedules — most opening early and closing somewhere between early afternoon and 5 p.m. local time. Axios
Meanwhile, many big grocery names are fully closed today, including Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Hy‑Vee, Sam’s Club, Costco and numerous warehouse clubs and specialty grocers. CBS News
Local spotlights: Pittsburgh, Northeast Ohio, Boston & the Triangle
National lists are helpful, but Thanksgiving really comes down to what’s happening near you. Several local outlets have published detailed rundowns for today.
Pittsburgh: Giant Eagle & Market District
In the Pittsburgh region, Giant Eagle and Market District are a key lifeline for last‑minute shoppers:
- All Giant Eagle and Market District stores are open until 3 p.m. today.
- The Market District Express in McMurray also operates until 3 p.m.
- Giant Eagle Express in Harmar follows its normal hours.
- All Giant Eagle pharmacies are closed for Thanksgiving. WTAE
WTAE also notes that, despite “food at home” prices rising this year, the overall cost of a Thanksgiving menu is estimated to be 2–3% lower than last year, thanks to promotional pricing on staples like stuffing and gravy. WTAE
Northeast Ohio: Whole Foods, Meijer, Giant Eagle and more
News 5 Cleveland highlights a cluster of stores around Cleveland and Akron that are open with limited hours: News 5 Cleveland WEWS
- Whole Foods: roughly 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dave’s Market & Lucky’s Supermarket: operating on holiday schedules, staying open until about 3 p.m.
- Giant Eagle and Market District: closing at 3 p.m.
- Meijer: open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with curbside pickup usually ending earlier in the afternoon
- Discount Drug Mart: open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Walgreens: most locations are closed, but 24‑hour stores stay open for emergencies
Their consumer team also reminds shoppers to treat hours as location‑specific and verify via store apps or by phone before driving over. News 5 Cleveland WEWS
Boston area: Neighborhood markets fill the gap
In Greater Boston, major chains like Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop and Whole Foods may be closed, but a wide range of smaller groceries and international markets are open. Boston.com compiled a map that includes: Boston
- Convenience and neighborhood stores open from early morning until late evening
- H Mart locations in Cambridge, Brookline, Burlington, Quincy and Somerville, many running into the evening
- Local markets such as Golden Goose Market, City Feed & Supply, and other independents with hours stretching anywhere from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
One important regional twist: Massachusetts Blue Laws prohibit alcohol sales on Thanksgiving, so you’ll need to have beer, wine, and spirits purchased ahead of today. Boston
Raleigh–Durham & the Triangle: Early closings across the board
WRAL’s SmartShopper team pulled together a detailed list of Triangle‑area Thanksgiving hours that also reflects wider national patterns: WRAL News
- Open with restricted hours: Food Lion (often until ~3 p.m.), Harris Teeter (until ~2 p.m.), Lowes Foods (often until ~4 p.m.), Sprouts, The Fresh Market, and others
- Fully closed: major discounters like Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, Publix and more
- Drugstores: CVS generally open with reduced hours, while most Walgreens stores are closed except for 24‑hour locations
WRAL notes that many groceries in the region shut their doors today between 2 and 4 p.m., so late‑afternoon runs are risky. WRAL News
The last‑minute dilemma: Restaurant reservations are spiking
For some families, the combination of higher grocery prices, limited store hours, and cooking stress is pushing them out of the kitchen entirely.
Data shared with CNN and reported by WMUR show that Thanksgiving restaurant reservations are up about 13% year‑over‑year, based on OpenTable bookings. WMUR
Even though eating out is still generally more expensive than cooking at home, the article notes:
- Restaurant prices are rising faster than overall inflation and faster than grocery prices.
- Yet, the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal at home for 10 people has fallen about 5% this year, to roughly $5.52 per person, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. WMUR
- Major chains like Aldi, Amazon, Target and Walmart have promoted discounted Thanksgiving “meal deals” to entice cost‑conscious shoppers earlier in the season. WMUR
So if you’re still planning to cook today, the math can still favor a home‑cooked meal — if you can grab those last missing items before stores close.
The one grocery everyone forgets (and other easy‑to‑miss items)
A widely shared piece from cooking site The Kitchn this week zeroed in on “the one grocery everyone forgets to buy until it’s too late” — a simple canned pantry staple that has sent many cooks racing back to the store on Thanksgiving Day. The article’s core message: picking up that canned essential early can save you an extra trip today. The Kitchn
Even if you’re not sure which ingredient you’re most likely to forget, here are some commonly overlooked items that frequently derail Thanksgiving cooking:
Canned & pantry staples
- Broth or stock (chicken, turkey, or vegetable) for stuffing, gravy and reheating leftovers
- Canned cranberry sauce or whole berries
- Canned pumpkin or sweet potato purée for pies
- Evaporated or condensed milk for desserts and casseroles
- Extra flour, sugar and baking powder for last‑minute baking
Fridge items
- Extra butter (for everything)
- Eggs and heavy cream
- Fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme)
- Breakfast items for tomorrow morning (bagels, eggs, bacon, coffee creamer)
“Logistics” supplies
- Aluminum foil, parchment paper and plastic wrap
- Trash bags and paper towels
- Ice for drinks
- Disposable storage containers or zip‑top bags for leftovers
- Batteries for thermometers, candles and remote controls
Before you head out, doing a 10‑minute pantry and fridge sweep for these categories can dramatically reduce the odds of needing another emergency store run later in the day.
Pro tips for last‑minute Thanksgiving shopping (without overspending)
Consumer reporters in Cleveland and Raleigh have shared a handful of smart, very practical tactics for today’s shoppers. News 5 Cleveland WEWS
1. Check hours before you drive
Holiday schedules can differ store‑to‑store, even within the same chain. Use:
- Store websites and apps
- Google Maps listings (look for “Holiday hours”)
- A quick phone call to your specific branch
This is especially critical in states like Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where blue laws and local ordinances lead to additional closures or shorter hours. Axios
2. Make a “backup list” instead of grabbing just one thing
When you rush out for cranberries or broth, it’s easy to forget that you’re also almost out of:
- Milk or cream
- Coffee or tea
- Dish soap or sponges
- Breakfast food for tomorrow
Several consumer writers recommend making a short, second checklist of everything you’re low on, so one quick run covers everything instead of turning into three separate trips. News 5 Cleveland WEWS
3. Watch for holiday markups
Some stores raise prices slightly on convenience items and prepared foods today. Reporters advise:
- Comparing unit prices on canned, boxed and frozen staples
- Being cautious with pre‑cut vegetables and pre‑made sides, which can cost significantly more per serving
- Looking for store‑brand alternatives, which are often featured in seasonal meal deals WMUR
4. Shop your freezer and pantry first
Multiple local pieces stress that many households already have:
- Frozen vegetables, rolls and stock
- Extra butter or pie crusts
- Backup dessert ingredients
Checking your freezer and pantry before you drive out can save both money and precious shopping time when stores are crowded and closing early. News 5 Cleveland WEWS
The bottom line: You still have options — but not all day
Compared with a decade ago, Thanksgiving Day shopping has shrunk into a tight morning‑to‑early‑afternoon window:
- Most big‑box retailers (Walmart, Target, Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Publix and more) are closed entirely today. Axios
- Many major grocery chains are open but closing between noon and 5 p.m., depending on the banner and region. WRAL News
- Regional grocers like Giant Eagle, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Meijer and others are providing crucial last‑minute coverage but still shutting in the mid‑afternoon in most markets. Axios
If you’re missing something, treat late morning as your realistic deadline:
- Do a fast inventory (especially canned staples, dairy, baking supplies and “logistics” items like foil and trash bags).
- Check online for your store’s exact holiday hours.
- Make a short, all‑in‑one list and go once.
Then, hopefully, you can spend the rest of Thanksgiving 2025 where you actually want to be — away from fluorescent lights, at a table full of people you love, with every dish finally on the table.
