How Late Can I Shop on Christmas Eve?

By Rob Klindt

While this year’s holiday shopping season has been busy for most retailers, it’s been one of the shortest in nearly a dozen years. The traditional “Black Friday” start to the season was on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving which occurred later in the month than usual this year. That left shoppers with just 25 days to complete their Christmas shopping. 

For retailers, the holiday shopping season is “make it or break it” time with some stores earning as much as 40 percent of their annual sales during this time. So, to accommodate harried shoppers and last-minute procrastinators, some stores like Kohl’s and Macy’s are keeping their doors open around the clock. 

Here’s a sampling of holiday hours for various major retailers, including their Christmas Eve closing times. 

• Best Buy. The popular electronics retailer will be open until midnight Monday, Dec. 23 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day, and reopening at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• JC Penney. Stores will be open until midnight Monday, Dec. 23 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day, and reopening at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Kohl’s. Stores will be open around the clock through 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day.
• Macy’s. The venerable department store will be open around the clock until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day, and reopening at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Sears. Stores will be open until midnight Monday, Dec. 23 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day, and reopening at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Target. Open 7 a.m. to midnight Monday, Dec. 23, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas Day, and reopening at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Toys R Us. The national toy retailer is open around the clock until 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Closed Christmas day, and reopening at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Wal-Mart. South Bay “Supercenter” stores that are normally open 24 hours will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 and remain closed Christmas day, and reopen at 5 a.m Thursday, Dec. 26. Hours vary at other locations.