Walgreens Holiday Hours 2026: Which Holidays Close Stores and When

Which Holidays Close Walgreens Stores

Thanksgiving Day is the only major holiday when most Walgreens stores close. According to Walgreens’ official holiday information, most stores remain closed on Thanksgiving (November 27 in 2026). The exception is 24-hour locations, which stay open for essential pharmacy services only on Thanksgiving.

All other major holidays operate under normal or modified hours. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day are not closure dates; stores remain open but may have varied hours. This approach allows most locations to serve customers during peak shopping periods while giving staff time off during the nation’s largest holiday.

If you need to shop on or near Thanksgiving, call your local store directly to confirm whether it falls under the 24-hour exception. The pharmacy may have different availability than the retail store.

Holiday Hours for Pharmacy Services

Pharmacy hours differ from store hours on holidays and may vary significantly by location. On Thanksgiving Day, when most stores close, 24-hour Walgreens locations open their pharmacies for essential services only. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, the pharmacy remains open but hours may differ from the main store.

Walgreens does not publish a single pharmacy hour schedule for all holidays; instead, hours are location-specific. You must check your individual store’s hours using the Walgreens store locator. Enter your zip code, select your store, and view the pharmacy hours listed alongside store hours. Some pharmacies may close for part of the day or operate on a reduced schedule during these holidays.

If you take regular medications and need a refill during a holiday, contact your pharmacy a few days in advance to confirm hours and request a refill before the holiday arrives. This prevents gaps in your medication supply.

How to Find Your Store’s Holiday Hours

Walgreens publishes holiday hours through its official store locator tool at walgreens.com. To find your store’s specific holiday schedule, use the Walgreens store hours locator: enter your zip code or city, select your store from the results, and the page displays current hours and upcoming holiday schedules for both the store and pharmacy.

The store locator updates in real time and is the only reliable source for your specific location’s holiday hours. General holiday announcements from Walgreens corporate apply to most stores, but individual locations may have exceptions due to local holidays, staffing, or other factors. Calling your store directly at the phone number listed in the locator is also a reliable backup.

Walgreens announces its major holiday hour changes on its corporate holiday hub, which publishes key dates each year. However, this is a general guide; your local store’s actual hours may differ. Always verify before making a trip during or immediately after Thanksgiving.

What to Expect on Each Major Holiday

Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2026): Most stores closed; 24-hour locations open for pharmacy only.

Black Friday (November 28, 2026): Stores open regular posted hours.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24-25): Stores open; pharmacy hours may vary by location.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027): Stores open; pharmacy hours may vary by location.

For lesser holidays not listed here, Walgreens typically operates on regular hours. If you are unsure whether a specific holiday affects your store’s schedule, use the store locator or call ahead. This is especially important if you need pharmacy services, as hours frequently differ from retail store hours on holidays.

Planning Your Holiday Shopping and Refills

If you need prescription refills or plan to shop during the holiday season, complete your pharmacy requests a few days before the holiday. Do not wait until Thanksgiving Eve or Christmas Eve to refill critical medications, as holiday hours are often reduced and wait times increase. Most Walgreens pharmacies close for a meal break from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., which may overlap with reduced holiday staffing.

If you use services beyond basic retail and pharmacy, such as the lab services or healthcare clinics available at some locations, confirm their holiday hours separately. These departments may have different schedules than the pharmacy or store. The store locator displays which services are available at your location and their hours.

For comparison, CVS holiday hours follow a similar pattern with most stores closed on Thanksgiving and open on other major holidays. If you have questions specific to the 2026 holiday season, contact Walgreens media relations at [email protected], though this address is intended for press inquiries rather than customer hour questions. Your fastest answer is always the store locator or a call to your local store.