As Thanksgiving 2024 rapidly approaches, shoppers are greeted with Christmas music on the radio, aisles stocked with festive decorations, and shelves brimming with holiday treats. While Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and enjoying hearty meals, it also marks the beginning of the holiday shopping frenzy, with Black Friday kicking off the season.
What Is Black Friday?
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is traditionally seen as the start of the holiday shopping season. It gained popularity during the peak of brick-and-mortar retail stores, where shoppers could find massive discounts and deals advertised in Thanksgiving newspapers.
Retailers began using Thanksgiving 2024 to promote special doorbuster sales and giveaways to entice customers to line up outside their stores for early openings. Initially, store openings were scheduled for early Friday morning to respect Thanksgiving celebrations. However, as competition grew, many retailers began opening their doors late on Thanksgiving evening.
With the rise of online shopping and the decline of large department store chains, Black Friday has lost some of its appeal, but it remains a significant day for both shoppers and retailers.
Which Stores Are Closed on Thanksgiving?
In recent years, many major retailers have returned to the tradition of closing doors on Thanksgiving 2024 to allow employees and customers to enjoy the holiday. Here’s a look at which stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and their Black Friday hours:
- Target: Closed on Thanksgiving. Stores will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. From November 30 to December 23, stores will operate from 7 a.m. to midnight.
- Walmart: Closed on Thanksgiving. Stores will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Home Depot: Closed on Thanksgiving. Doors open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Lowe’s: Closed on Thanksgiving. Black Friday hours begin at 6 a.m.
- Ace Hardware: Most stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, but hours may vary as each location is independently owned.
- Costco: Closed on Thanksgiving. Doors reopen on Friday at 9 a.m.
- Kohl’s: Closed on Thanksgiving. Black Friday events begin early Friday morning, featuring giveaways and sweepstakes.
- TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and HomeGoods: Closed on Thanksgiving. Stores reopen at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
- JCPenney: Closed on Thanksgiving. Stores will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Nordstrom: Closed on Thanksgiving. Doors open early on Black Friday.
- Barnes & Noble: Closed on Thanksgiving. Customers should check local store hours for Black Friday openings.
- Tractor Supply Co.: Closed on Thanksgiving. Black Friday hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Petco and PetSmart: Both closed on Thanksgiving. Petco reopens at 8 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Staples: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens at 9 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Office Depot and Office Max: Closed on Thanksgiving. Reopen with regular hours on Black Friday.
Stores Open on Thanksgiving
While most major retailers have opted to stay closed on Thanksgiving 2024, a few exceptions remain. For instance, Cabela’s will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and then resume regular Black Friday hours from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Black Friday: Then and Now
Black Friday has evolved significantly over the years. Where shoppers once lined up for midnight openings, many now prefer the convenience of online shopping to access similar deals without the crowds. However, the day remains a cultural marker for the holiday season, signaling the start of weeks filled with shopping, gifting, and festive celebrations.
For those planning to shop in stores, understanding which retailers are closed on Thanksgiving 2024 can help avoid unnecessary trips and ensure a smooth shopping experience on Black Friday. Whether you prefer hitting the stores or browsing online, Black Friday continues to offer plenty of opportunities to snag great deals and kick off the holiday season.
