Last minute shoppers, this is your green light. Dollar General will be open on Christmas Eve with shortened hours, and most locations will be closed on Christmas Day. If you need batteries, tape, stocking stuffers, or pantry staples, plan your run today, not tomorrow. Here is what to know before you grab the keys.
What we know now
Dollar General is operating on Christmas Eve with reduced schedules. Opening and closing times vary by store, based on local staffing and traffic. Many locations open in the morning and close earlier than usual in the evening. The safest move is to shop by mid afternoon.
Christmas Day is a different story. Stores are expected to be closed so crews can take the holiday. If a small number of stores choose to open, they will be the exception. Treat Christmas Day as a hard close and stock up now.
Expect lines to build after lunch, especially for gift cards, candy, and household basics. Seasonal aisles are already picked over at many locations, but key items are still moving fast. Think AA batteries, tape, tissue paper, baking needs, and quick snacks for guests.
Head in with a short list. Move straight to batteries, wrapping supplies, and any must have groceries. Then browse gifts if time allows.
How to confirm your store’s hours today
Holiday hours are set at the store level. Here is the fastest way to get a firm answer in under five minutes.
- Use Dollar General’s store locator, enter your ZIP code, and tap your preferred store.
- Check the holiday hours note on that store’s page.
- Call the store directly to confirm today’s closing time.
- Ask if they are limiting final entry near closing, since some locations lock doors several minutes early.
If your town has two Dollar General stores, check both. One may close earlier for staffing, while the other stays open later.
Do not cut it close. Many stores stop new checkouts a few minutes before closing to clear the line.
Smart buys to grab before doors close
Think essentials first. Dollar General is one of the most efficient stops for low cost holiday basics. You will find value in small, useful items that save a second trip and keep the day moving.
- Batteries, tape, gift wrap, and gift bags
- Stocking stuffers like candy, small toys, and travel beauty
- Breakfast supplies for Christmas morning
- Paper goods, trash bags, and dish soap
Digital coupons in the Dollar General app can stack easy wins. The weekly ad often includes seasonal candy discounts, soda multipack deals, and buy more save more promos on snacks. Scan items in the app to check price drops in aisle. Holiday decor markdowns usually deepen after Christmas, but you may see early tags on select wrapping paper and ornaments by evening.
Grab a multi pack of batteries instead of singles. You avoid emergency markups at convenience stores on Christmas Day.
Backups if your Dollar General is closed
Have a Plan B ready. Family Dollar and Dollar Tree often mirror similar holiday patterns, with Christmas Eve open and Christmas Day closed at many locations. Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens typically run broader holiday hours and carry many of the same quick fix items, including gift cards and small toys. Grocery stores may close earlier than usual tonight, but most keep core departments open for several hours.
Same day delivery is another safety valve. Dollar General offers delivery in many areas through partners, and courier apps can fill in with substitutes from nearby stores. Expect earlier cutoffs tonight, and reduced availability after dusk.
Delivery fees and peak pricing can jump late today. Compare the service fee to the in store price before you tap order.
What this means for last minute shoppers
Discounters continue to anchor the final push before the holiday. Shoppers want fast, close, and cheap, and Dollar General fits that bill. This year, more stores are leaning into shorter Christmas Eve hours to protect staff, which increases mid day rush. At the same time, gift cards are pulling heavier weight as quick gifts that travel well and never need wrapping.
The takeaway is clear. Treat your Dollar General run like a timed mission. Confirm your store’s hours, hit essentials first, and snag a few candy or toy fillers on the way to checkout. If the doors are already shut, pivot to a nearby drugstore or a delivery app with substitutes.
Here is the bottom line. Dollar General is open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours and closed on Christmas Day. Shop early today, save the holiday tomorrow. 🎁
