Holiday shoppers, clock this now. Costco is closing nationwide on Christmas Day, and most warehouses will cut back hours on Christmas Eve. If you have a list to finish, your window is closing fast. Here is what is changing, how to verify your local times, and the smartest way to shop the rush.
Holiday hours you need right now
Costco is closing all warehouses on Christmas Day. This is part of its annual holiday schedule, and it is one of the few days each year the doors are locked.
On Christmas Eve, most Costco locations will operate on reduced hours. Many clubs will close around 5 p.m., and some may open a bit earlier in the morning. Individual warehouses can set slight variations, based on local rules and traffic.
Costco Gas and the Pharmacy usually follow shorter holiday hours than the warehouse. Expect pumps to stop earlier than the store closes. The Tire Center, Optical, and Hearing Aid departments also wind down early.
Here is the key pattern that guides the season. Costco closes on seven major holidays each year, including Christmas Day:
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Plan your run with cushion. Lines build quickly after lunch, and managers can cut off entry before the posted closing time when the building fills. ⏰
The rare move that only happens seven times a year
Costco’s full-day closure is rare in big-box retail. The company chooses complete shutdown on seven holidays, which means no warehouse shopping, no gas, no pharmacy, and no specialty desks. This protects crew schedules and reduces last-minute chaos, but it compresses demand into the hours right before and right after the holiday.
That compression matters for deals. The day before a closure, fresh meat, seafood, and bakery items move fast. When doors reopen after Christmas, expect early markdowns on seasonal decor, gift wrap, lights, and artificial trees to start appearing on the floor.
How to confirm your local hours in 60 seconds
Hours vary by market. Do not gamble. Do this before you leave the driveway.
- Open the Costco website, tap Find a Warehouse, and enter your city. Check Today’s Hours and Holiday Hours on the location page.
- Or open the Costco app, tap the digital membership card, then tap the store name at the top for hours and gas times.
- Call the warehouse directly. The phone number on the store page reaches the front desk, which can confirm today’s schedule and department hours.
- If you need fuel, confirm gas hours separately on the store listing. They are often shorter than the warehouse.
Grab discounted gift card multipacks near the front end. Many are 15 to 25 percent off face value. Executive members earn 2 percent back, so add your big-ticket buy before year end for extra reward. 🎁
Smart timing and deal plays for the final stretch
Shop early morning for the cleanest aisles and fastest checkout. Doors often open a few minutes before the posted time when a line forms. If you must go late, aim for the hour before midday instead of the final hour. That last window stacks with bakery and meat rushes.
Go targeted. Head to meat and seafood first if prime rib, tenderloin, crab, or shrimp are on your menu. These cases thin out by mid-morning on Christmas Eve. Bakery pies, rolls, and cakes are restocked throughout the morning, but sell-through accelerates after lunch.
Gift strategy is simple today. Look for toy endcaps and seasonal side stacks. Managers often take quick, quiet markdowns right before the holiday to clear space. Do not skip the center aisles for small electronics, earbuds, power banks, and smart home bundles. These are popular stocking fillers with instant savings.
After Christmas, seasonal clearance heats up. Wrapping paper, ornaments, ribbons, and outdoor lights usually drop fast. Apparel basics, slippers, and winter accessories see fresh coupons and clipless discounts as stores reset for January.
Delivery can help but has limits. Same-day through partners stops earlier on holiday eves, and item prices may be higher online than in-warehouse. In-store pickup is not offered, so physical timing still wins.
Doors can close to new entrants before the posted time, and gas lanes may shut earlier than the store. Give yourself at least 30 minutes of buffer. Keep your membership card ready in the app to speed entry.
The bottom line
Costco will close all warehouses on Christmas Day, and most will close early on Christmas Eve. Verify your local schedule, shop early, and prioritize the categories that sell out first. Use discounted gift cards and endcap markdowns to stretch your budget. Then circle back after Christmas for seasonal clearance. Quick checks now will save a trip and secure the deals that matter.
