CVS Holiday Hours 2026: Which Stores Close, Which Stay Open, and How to Confirm

Which Holidays CVS Closes Completely or Reduces Hours

CVS does not publish a single nationwide holiday schedule. It confirms major-holiday openings through statements to news outlets each season, and lists the current hours for each individual store in its online store locator. The patterns below come from that reporting. Call your local store or use the CVS app to confirm before visiting during any holiday.

Christmas Day (December 25) is not a nationwide closure. CVS has said its pharmacies are open on Christmas Day, with some stores and pharmacy counters on reduced hours. Individual locations, including those inside other retailers, can still close, so check yours. On Christmas Eve, most stores open with shortened hours, typically 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., though some locations may close as early as 5:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving is an open day at CVS, not a closed one. CVS has confirmed that its pharmacy locations are open on Thanksgiving Day, though some stores and pharmacy counters run reduced hours rather than a normal schedule. Treat the retail floor and the pharmacy counter as two separate schedules and confirm the one you actually need. Thanksgiving Eve typically sees regular or slightly reduced hours.

On New Year’s Eve, most CVS stores are open but close early, typically between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. New Year’s Day stores reopen on a regular or slightly delayed schedule, often opening at 10:00 a.m. instead of the standard 8:00 a.m.

On Independence Day (July 4), CVS pharmacies typically remain open with standard or near-standard hours, though some suburban locations may close around 6:00 p.m. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day generally see standard or near-regular hours with minimal disruption.

Why Pharmacy Hours Differ From Store Hours

The retail store and the pharmacy counter inside the same CVS often operate on completely different holiday schedules. Even when the front entrance is unlocked and the retail section is open, the pharmacy may be closed or staffed at reduced capacity. This matters most on holidays when you need to fill or refill a prescription.

On holidays, the retail section may open at 9:00 a.m., but the pharmacy counter does not open until 10:00 a.m. Similarly, the store may stay open until 8:00 p.m. on a holiday evening, but the pharmacy closes at 6:00 p.m. or earlier. Drive-thru pharmacy windows often close 30 to 60 minutes earlier than the interior counter, so if you plan to use the drive-thru, call ahead.

CVS return policy and other customer services may be unavailable during pharmacy closures since they often require staff from the health department area. For prescription refills, pickup, or MinuteClinic services, always confirm pharmacy hours separately from store hours.

24-Hour CVS Locations and Pharmacy Exceptions

CVS operates a significant number of 24-hour locations primarily in major cities, airports, and high-density suburban areas. However, even 24-hour CVS stores may limit pharmacy counter hours during major holidays. A 24-hour location does not guarantee 24-hour pharmacy service on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving, when many pharmacy counters cut back to reduced hours.

To find a 24-hour CVS near you, use the CVS store locator at cvs.com and filter by “24-hour pharmacy.” This narrows results to locations with around-the-clock pharmacist coverage. Keep in mind that 24-hour availability may be suspended on Christmas or other major holidays, so confirm this before relying on late-night or early-morning pharmacy service during the holiday season.

MinuteClinic locations inside CVS stores operate on a separate schedule from the pharmacy. MinuteClinic typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Not every CVS has a MinuteClinic, and most close entirely on major holidays. You can check MinuteClinic availability through cvs.com or the CVS Health app.

How Variation by Location Affects Your Store

Your local CVS may differ from another store across town or in a neighboring state because holiday schedules vary by store type, location, local laws, and staffing.

• Store type matters: A CVS inside a Target or shopping mall follows that facility’s holiday hours. Standalone street-corner pharmacies have more independence, especially those near hospitals or in high-traffic zones.
• Local laws: Some cities or counties restrict retail operations on certain holidays. States like Pennsylvania enforce “blue laws” that limit sales on religious holidays, which can affect even national chains.
• Staffing availability: CVS offers premium pay for holiday work, but not all positions fill. Pharmacist and technician shortages mean some locations cannot stay open with full service.
• Urban vs. rural: Urban stores in densely populated areas typically keep longer holiday hours due to higher foot traffic. Rural branches may operate skeleton crews or close earlier.

Because of these variables, assuming your local CVS follows the typical holiday schedule is risky. Always double-check your specific location before making a trip.

How to Confirm Your Local Store’s 2026 Holiday Schedule

Since CVS does not publish a complete official holiday policy online, you must contact your local store directly or use the CVS app to confirm hours.

• Call your local CVS: Ask for pharmacy hours specifically, not just store hours. The automated system or staff member can confirm holiday hours for the holiday you plan to visit. Have the store address or phone number ready.
• Use the CVS store locator: Visit cvs.com and search for your location. The listing shows store hours, pharmacy hours, drive-thru availability, and MinuteClinic status. Some locations display holiday hours on their individual store pages.
• Check the CVS Health app: Download the free app to see real-time pharmacy hours, prescription status, and refill reminders. The app also shows which services are available at your location.
• Google Maps or Google Search: Type “CVS pharmacy near me” to see hours in the knowledge panel. Google often displays holiday hour changes when the store updates them, though always call to confirm.
• Arrive early on holidays: Because inventory and staffing are unpredictable on holidays, arriving early in the day gives you the best chance of finding what you need and avoiding long waits.

For prescriptions refilled on holidays, use the CVS app to request a refill remotely before you visit. Some locations allow you to text when your prescription is ready, reducing in-store wait time. Compare hours at nearby locations in case your usual store has limited hours; an alternative CVS three blocks away might have better holiday availability.

Like other retailers, Kroger holiday hours and Safeway holiday hours also vary by location and require confirmation at individual stores. Whole Foods holiday hours and Publix holiday hours follow similar patterns, with some locations closing on Thanksgiving or Christmas while others stay open with reduced service. Checking directly remains the only reliable way to plan pharmacy and healthcare visits on major holidays.

What Changes Are Not Common But Worth Knowing

Easter does not trigger widespread CVS closures. Most locations operate on regular Sunday hours (typically 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), though stores in conservative religious communities may open later or close earlier. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Veterans Day usually see standard business hours with minimal disruption.

The sources reviewed confirm that CVS generally tries to maintain high accessibility on most holidays to support customers who need prescriptions, medications, and emergency health supplies. Because no single nationwide schedule is published, the safest assumption is that pharmacy and clinic hours will be reduced, even if the retail store is open. This is especially true on the day before and day of major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, when staffing is tightest.