By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that many most major retail stores and malls across Florida will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025?
If you are a procrastinator, or like to shop for Christmas gifts looking for last minute deals, only a few essential services and convenience stores operating on modified schedules will remain open until Christmas Evening, December 24. In fact, many stores will have reduced hours, closing early, while some, like Walmart and Publix, will remain open until late afternoon or early evening.
Publix, Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods and Aldi are closed on Christmas Day. Publix closes at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and Aldi operates with modified hours on Christmas Evening. Costco is closed on Christmas Day, although it is open on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you plan on doing any last-minute shopping at a nearby convenience store, Walgreens and CVS are open with shortened hours on Christmas Day. Safeway and Sedano’s Supermarkets are open on Christmas Day with reduced hours.
The big department stores like Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods are all closed on Christmas Day, although HomeGoods has extended hours during the holiday season.
Are you considering a Christmas Day meal this year? Restaurant chains like Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Denny’s, IHOP, McDonald’s, Red Lobster, and Starbucks are open on Christmas Day, though hours may vary by location. If you plan on eating out, make sure you make reservations now before the holiday. The popularity of eating out on Christmas Day is growing and you may encounter a long wait time before being seated if you don’t make reservations.