Last-minute holiday shoppers, listen up. I have today’s Walmart Christmas Eve playbook, and the clock is already ticking. Store hours are set locally, pickup and delivery cutoffs are shifting by market, and several deals are still live if you move now. Here is what to know to finish your list without a scramble.
What time your Walmart closes today
Walmart is closing early for Christmas Eve, but closing times are not the same everywhere. This morning, I reviewed posted hours across multiple regions. Many supercenters list a 6 pm close. Some suburban and metro locations show 7 pm or 8 pm. Neighborhood Market hours also vary, often similar to their local supercenter. Bottom line, you need to confirm your exact store before you head out.
If you prefer a quick check, use the Walmart app or website and set your preferred store. The store page shows today’s closing time and pickup window availability in one spot.
- Open the Walmart app, tap the store icon.
- Choose your local store.
- Check Today’s hours and Services.
- Tap Pickup and Delivery to see the last slots.
Walmart stores will remain closed on Christmas Day. Doors reopen on December 26 with normal or near-normal hours.
Order deadlines, pickup windows, and delivery cutoffs
Shipping is over for Christmas arrival at this point. Your realistic options today are curbside pickup, same day delivery, or two hour Express Delivery where available. Here is how the day is shaping up based on current postings and operations I am tracking.
Pickup: Same day pickup slots are still appearing through the early afternoon in many areas. The final pickup windows usually end one to two hours before your store’s closing time. If you see only “tomorrow,” the store has reached capacity. Keep refreshing. Slots can reopen as orders get canceled.
Same day delivery: Standard same day delivery often runs into late afternoon. Cutoffs move as driver capacity changes. If you need gifts or groceries tonight, book the first available window rather than waiting for a later one. Inventory is tight on top toys and electronics, but essentials and stocking stuffers are holding up.
Express Delivery: Many markets still offer two hour Express for an extra fee. The last viable window typically ends several hours before store closing. If Express is available in checkout, place the order immediately. It can disappear fast.
Walmart+ members get free same day delivery on orders over the threshold in eligible areas. Express Delivery still has a separate fee, but it can save your holiday if timing is tight.
Deals to grab before doors close
Rollbacks are still live on core gift categories. I am seeing steady price drops on midrange earbuds, smart home plugs, coffee makers, LEGO sets, Hot Wheels, and board games. Seasonal food and candy bundles are priced to move. Kitchen gear, small appliances, and robes often dip again on Christmas Eve to clear shelf space, but doorbuster level prices usually hit on December 26.
If you are shopping for the party, focus on the fast sellers first. Baking staples, sparkling drinks, paper goods, and batteries will thin out by late afternoon. For gifts, scan for store-only bundles near the action alley. Those in-aisle deals are not always shown online and can be quietly marked down late in the day.
Your five minute plan
You do not have time to browse. Make a fast plan and stick to it.
- Lock in your store’s closing time now
- Add items to cart to preview pickup or delivery windows
- If you are going in, check in-store inventory on the app
- Shop gifts first, party supplies second, then extras
- Set a backup item for any hot gift, like an eGift card
Cutoff times can move forward as capacity fills. Expect substitutions on popular items. Bring a photo ID for pickup, and have your payment card ready for any order verification.
What this means for holiday shoppers
Retailers are leaning on local control today. Walmart is tailoring store hours and last mile capacity market by market. That helps stock flow and it keeps service reliable when crowds peak. It also means you cannot rely on a single national closing time.
Expect more of this flexible model next year. Curbside and same day have become the safety valve for late holiday demand. The winners are the shoppers who plan by the hour, not by the day. If you want a sure thing tonight, use the app, commit to a pickup window, and keep your list tight.
The bottom line
You still have a runway, but it is short. Most Walmarts will close in the early evening, with some open a bit later. Standard shipping is out. Pickup, same day delivery, and Express are your tools now. Confirm your local hours, book your window, and grab the deals that matter. Your holiday finish is still in reach if you move with purpose.
