Christmas Eve 2015 is here, and those looking to find out if banks are open or which stores might be closed have come to the right place.
Traditionally, Christmas Eve is one of the busiest last-minute shopping days of the year. Millions of people will take to stores to pick up the forgotten trimmings for family dinner or maybe pick up that gift they forgot about, but knowing just which stores are open can be a bit tricky. There are few that are outright closed, but even fewer with normal hours.
Christmas Eve is something of a half day for most businesses. With the exception of a handful of necessities, like some gas stations and hospitals, most will close shop by the time the evening rolls around and people start going to church and family parties.
Most of the essentials are open. For example, those looking to mail a letter on Christmas Eve will be able to, but they will need to fit it in early. The U.S. Postal Service is operating and post offices are open but will have limited hours.
Last minute drop off? We’re open on Christmas Eve with limited hours and closed Christmas Day. Happy Holidays! pic.twitter.com/ob4qVx1KsD
— U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 23, 2015
Hours for #ChristmasEve are 10am-midnight. Open #Christmas Day from 2pm-midnight. Come spend the holidays with us! pic.twitter.com/5RzYbg3ZWB
— FunSpotAmerica (@FunSpotAmerica) December 23, 2015
There are even some fun spots open on Christmas Eve 2015. Most major movie theaters will be open, but most operate on limited hours (meaning the set of movies that normally start in the 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. time frame will be cut from the schedule, with the final movies starting by the 7 p.m. hour).
And those looking for a more adventurous Christmas Eve (and live in the Orlando area) can visit Fun Spot America, which is actually open on Christmas Eve night and on Christmas Day.
There is plenty of Christmas Eve shopping as well. Here is a list of major retailers and their Christmas Eve 2015 hours.
Walmart: Open until 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, though Neighborhood Markets stores will remain open until 6 p.m. In-store pickup orders can come in as late as December 23.
Best Buy : Closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Kohl’s : Closing at at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Toys ‘R’ Us: Closing at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Target : Late-night shoppers will have to turn to Target, which is open latest of all major retailers. Its stores will be open until either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. based on location.
Banks are also open on Christmas Eve 2015, but many will have limited hours and will be closing early.
Here is a partial list (via Go Banking Rates ) of the closing times for Christmas Eve.
Citizens Bank: Most branches close at 2 p.m.
Key Bank: Branches close at 2 p.m.
PNC Bank: Traditional branches close at 2 p.m., while most branches at supermarket locations open until 4 p.m.
M&T Bank: Branches close one hour early
TD Bank: Regular hours
Wells Fargo: Branches close at 2 p.m.
Supermarkets are also popular on Christmas Eve, and those looking to pick up the last-minute egg nog or stocking stuffers will have to hurry. As MLive.com noted, most will be closing early. Here is a partial list.
Aldi: Closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve
Costco: Closing at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve
CVS Pharmacy: Most locations open 24 hours, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Dollar General: Closing at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve
Whole Foods: Closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve
Wegmans: Closing early (times may vary, with many closing at 6 p.m.)
Those trying to find out whether local stores are open or closed on Christmas Eve 2015 will likely want to call, but they will want to do it early in the day.
[Picture by Kena Betancur/Getty Images]
