If you plan to shop at Walmart on Thanksgiving, do not count on the store being open. Walmart has closed its U.S. stores on Thanksgiving each year since 2020. As of September 9, 2026, the company has not yet posted a clear national notice for Thanksgiving Day 2026.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. The safest plan is to shop early. Then check your local store hours before you leave home.
What We Know
Walmart first closed all U.S. stores on Thanksgiving in 2020. The same plan stayed in place in later years. Stores were closed again in 2024 and 2025.
That long pattern makes a 2026 closure likely. Still, hours can change. Check Walmart’s official store finder guidance or app as the holiday gets near.
Our guide to stores open on Thanksgiving 2026 can also help. It covers other types of stores that may open for part of the day.
Shop Early
Try to finish your main Walmart trip by Tuesday or Wednesday. Make a list first. Check the pantry, fridge, freezer, and guest room.
Think through each meal. This can help you catch small items before the rush.
Need help with recipe math? Our guide to how many ounces are in a gallon can help with drinks and broth. Our guide to how many ounces are in a pound can help when a recipe lists food by weight.
Buy key items first. Think turkey, butter, milk, eggs, broth, oil, foil, paper towels, and trash bags.
A good roasting pan can help with the main meal. You can compare roasting pans on Amazon before the holiday. A digital meat thermometer can also help you check turkey and other meat.
What About Online Orders?
Walmart.com and the app may still take orders when stores are closed. But pickup and delivery times can change on a holiday.
Do not count on same-day help unless your local store says it is offered. If an item can wait, place the order and pick it up later.
Have a Backup Plan
Some food stores, drug stores, and gas stations may open on Thanksgiving. Many use short holiday hours.
Check the store’s own site or app before you drive. Call the local store if the posted hours look old.
A holiday meal can also cost more than we think. This Tuars guide to weekly grocery budgets can help you set a food budget before a big meal.
What to Buy Before the Holiday
Buy the things that can spoil the meal if you forget them.
Start with the main dish, butter, milk, eggs, broth, oil, and spices. Add foil, pans, food boxes, trash bags, and drinks.
If you need more room for leftovers, you can compare food storage containers on Amazon before the holiday.
Also check pet food, baby items, medicine, and other daily needs. Those are easy to miss when most of the list is about dinner.
When to Check Hours
Check your local Walmart a few days before Thanksgiving. Walmart’s store finder shows store hours, phone numbers, and other details.
Check again on Wednesday, November 25, if the trip is important. Holiday hours can be different from normal hours.
What About Black Friday?
Walmart often opens again after Thanksgiving for Black Friday. The exact 2026 hours may vary by store.
If a purchase can wait, Friday may be much easier than looking for an open store on Thursday.
A Simple Plan
Shop for the main meal early in the week. Do one last kitchen check on Wednesday. Keep a short backup list for small items.
Most of all, check local hours before you leave. Walmart’s recent pattern points to a Thanksgiving closure, but the local listing will give you the best final answer once 2026 holiday hours are posted.
A little planning can keep a closed store from turning into a holiday mess.
