Walmart to shutter more than 4,600 U.S. stores for the holidays: when it happens and why
Updated on: December 13, 2025, 7:46 PM IST
Walmart has announced that every one of its U.S. locations—totaling over 4,600—will close on December 25, 2025, creating a full public-service blackout for the day. This marks the retailer’s second annual one-day shutdown, with Thanksgiving Day being the other pause in operations each year.
To avoid disrupting holiday plans, Walmart will also adjust its hours on December 24. Shoppers are encouraged to finish their purchases in advance or visit during the adjusted hours to minimize last‑minute runs.
The early closure initiates a nationwide gap of more than 24 hours in store operations, a deliberate step Walmart takes each year in conjunction with the Christmas holiday celebration.
What time does Walmart close on December 24, and when does it reopen on Christmas Day 2025?
Walmart states that stores will operate on December 24 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., giving customers a 12-hour window to stock up for Christmas meals or gifts. Regular hours resume on December 26, when stores reopen as usual.
This one-day shutdown is part of Walmart’s broader approach to allow employees to enjoy the holiday with family while giving the chain time to finalize inventory and prepare for the post-Christmas rush.
Delivery and service adjustments on Christmas Eve
Despite the shortened in-store hours on December 24, Walmart has extended its online order deadlines for those needing last‑minute items. Express delivery will be available until 5:00 p.m. on December 24, one hour later than in the previous year, enabling delivery in as little as 60 minutes depending on local availability.
Same-day pickup services will also be expanded for orders placed before noon on December 24. The platform’s "get it now" feature—which estimates the arrival time of an item at the customer’s address before checkout—remains in place.
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Note: The post presents Walmart’s holiday operating changes and related delivery updates, and it reflects Walmart’s stated intentions for the 2025 holiday period. Readers are invited to share their perspectives on the impact of these closures and the balance between employee time off and customer convenience.
