8 months ago
US Closures and Grocery Store Hours for Christmas 2023-2025
The US stock markets, including NYSE and Nasdaq, will close early on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023.
The US bond market will also close early at 2 pm ET.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India will be closed from December 24 to December 26, 2025.
President Trump has declared December 24 and 26 as federal holidays, giving federal employees extra time off.
Private businesses are not required to observe these holidays.
The US Postal Service, banks, and major retailers have different schedules for the holiday week.
Many grocery stores like Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Sam's Club will be open on Christmas Eve with adjusted hours.
Investors, federal employees, and shoppers should plan their activities accordingly during this holiday week.
US stock markets (NYSE, Nasdaq) will close early at 1 pm ET on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023.
The US bond market will close early at 2 pm ET on the same day.
Federal government offices will be closed all day on December 24 and December 26, 2023, due to an executive order by President Trump.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India will be closed from December 24 to December 26, 2025.
Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco will close only on December 25 and reopen on December 26.
- Who
- US federal employees, stock markets, embassies, consulates, and grocery stores
- What
- Early closures, extended holidays, and adjusted grocery store hours
- Where
- United States and India
- When
- December 24-26, 2023 and 2025
- Why
- To observe the Christmas holiday and due to an executive order by President Trump
Key facts
- Date
- December 24-26, 2023 and 2025
- US Embassy and Consulates in India
- Closed from December 24 to December 26, 2025
- US Stock Markets
- Close early at 1 pm ET on December 24, 2023
- US Bond Market
- Close early at 2 pm ET on December 24, 2023
- Federal Government Offices
- Closed all day on December 24 and December 26, 2023
- US Postal Service
- Closed on December 25; open on December 24 and 26 with normal mail delivery
- Banks
- Open on December 24 and 26; closed on December 25
- Major Retailers
- Closed only on December 25 and reopen on December 26
- Walmart
- Open 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM on December 24, 2025; closed on December 25
- Kroger
- Open on December 24; most close between 6 and 8 PM local time
- Costco
- Open 10 AM - 5 PM on December 24
- Sam's Club
- Open 8 AM - 6 PM for Plus Members, 9 AM - 6 PM for club members on December 24
- BJ's Wholesale Club
- Open 8 AM - 6 PM on December 24; optical departments 10 AM - 5 PM
- Food Lion
- Open on December 24; most close at 7 PM local time; pharmacies 9 AM - 3 PM
- Harris Teeter
- Open on December 24; closes at 7 PM local time
Timeline
President Trump's positive experience at the White House Christmas event on December 6, 2025, where he praised Melania's decorations, may have influenced his decision to declare Christmas Eve a federal holiday on December 17, 2025.
President Trump declared Christmas Eve a federal holiday during his speech on December 17, 2025.
President Trump declared Christmas Eve a federal holiday, leading to the early closure of US stock markets on Christmas Eve, 2023.
President Trump declared December 24 a federal holiday, leading to the early closure of US stock markets on Christmas Eve, 2023.
US stock markets, including NYSE and Nasdaq, will close early on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023.
Quotes
Motilal Oswal
A brokerage firm providing market analysis and outlook.
“We have a positive outlook on Indian equities and believe that Indian markets are well poised to retrace the underperformance of CY2025, supported by better earnings prospects, supportive domestic macros, and improved geopolitical situation.”
livemint.com
Sources
S&P 500 closes at record highs ahead of Christmas holiday as Santa rally continues
US embassy, consulates in India closed December 24–26: What you need to know
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