WASHINGTON — As Thanksgiving approaches and the holiday shopping season kicks off, Americans are preparing for their annual indulgence in turkey, travel, and transactions.
While many of the larger U.S. retailers will keep their doors shut on Thanksgiving Day, several are set to open bright and early the following morning for Black Friday. This day marks the unofficial beginning of the holiday purchasing frenzy and is known as the peak shopping day of the year.
Here’s a rundown of what will be open and closed during Thanksgiving, along with a travel outlook from AAA, the well-known auto club.
**Government Offices**
On Thanksgiving Day, government buildings, including post offices, courts, schools, and local offices will remain closed to the public.
**Banks and Stock Market**
All U.S. banking institutions and stock markets will be closed for the holiday. However, the markets will resume operations on Friday for a shortened trading session that ends at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
**Package Delivery Services**
On Thanksgiving, typical pickup and delivery services from FedEx and UPS will not be in operation, though some essential services may be available at select locations.
**Retailers’ Operations**
Walmart will stay closed on Thanksgiving, opening its doors at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Similarly, Target will also remain closed on Thanksgiving but will welcome shoppers at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Macy’s is opting to close on Thanksgiving while extending Black Friday hours, operating from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Many Kohl’s stores will open their doors as early as 5 a.m. on Black Friday, though it’s advised to verify local hours beforehand.
Costco will also be closed on Thanksgiving but will resume normal operations on Black Friday, and it’s recommended to confirm local store hours online. CVS will have reduced hours on Thanksgiving, and customers should call their local outlets or check online for pharmacy schedules. Most Walgreens locations will close for Thanksgiving, so checking with local stores is encouraged.
**Grocery Stores**
Most major grocery store chains will remain open on Thanksgiving for any last-minute items needed for the holiday feast, although many will close early. It’s best to consult local store hours for specific details.
**Travel Expectations**
This year, the extended Thanksgiving weekend is predicted to be one of the busiest travel periods, as many schools will be out on both Thursday and Friday. AAA estimates that around 79.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home for the Thanksgiving holiday, marking a new record. For the first time, the forecast includes estimates for the Tuesday prior and the Monday following Thanksgiving to capture the full extent of holiday travel.
The current prediction of nearly 80 million travelers signifies an increase of 1.7 million compared to last year and is 2 million more than the numbers reported in 2019.