You’re in the kitchen, realize you’re out of the giant tub of Kerrygold butter or those rotisserie chickens, and it’s a federal holiday. You grab your keys, but then that nagging thought hits: Does Costco have holiday hours, or are they just shut down completely? Most of us are used to Target or Walmart being open basically every second of the year except for Christmas. Costco plays by a different set of rules. Honestly, it’s one of the few places where "closed" actually means the lights are off and the parking lot is empty.
If you’re planning a big cookout or a holiday dinner, you’ve got to be careful. Costco is notoriously protective of its employees' time off. They don’t just shave off a few hours; they shut the whole thing down for seven major days a year. If you show up on Labor Day expecting to grab a 30-pack of soda, you’re going to be staring at a very quiet warehouse.
The Big Seven: When Costco Is Closed for Good
It’s pretty simple once you memorize the list. There are seven specific holidays where Costco warehouses in the United States are closed. No exceptions. No "limited hours." Just closed.
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
For 2026, this means if you need supplies for your Memorial Day BBQ on Monday, May 25, you better have those burgers in your fridge by Sunday evening. The same goes for Labor Day on September 7. If you wait until the actual holiday, you'll be heading to a traditional grocery store and probably paying a lot more for smaller packages. It's a bit of a bummer when you're in a rush, but the staff definitely appreciates the break.
What About the "Almost" Holidays?
This is where people get confused. What about Juneteenth? Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Presidents' Day?
Basically, if it’s a federal holiday but not on that "Big Seven" list, Costco is usually open. For example, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, Costco operates on its regular Monday schedule. They don't close for Veterans Day or Columbus Day either. You’ve just got to watch out for the big ones that revolve around family gatherings.
Does Costco Have Holiday Hours for Christmas and New Year's Eve?
While they shut down entirely for the actual holidays, the eves are a different story. On December 24 and December 31, Costco usually stays open, but they pull the "early bird" move.
Most locations will open their doors at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM and shut them tight by 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve. For New Year’s Eve, they might stay open until 6:00 PM, but don't count on it being a late-night run. If you’re trying to grab champagne at 7:00 PM on December 31, you’re out of luck.
Kinda frustrating? Maybe. But compared to a lot of retail jobs where people work until midnight on Christmas Eve, it’s a pretty human way to run a business.
The Executive Member "Secret"
If you're an Executive Member, you probably already know about the early access perks. Usually, this means you can get in at 9:00 AM while the rest of the world waits until 10:00 AM. During the holiday rush—think the three days before Thanksgiving—this hour is a literal lifesaver. You can get in, grab your pumpkin pies, and get out before the "Gold Star" rush turns the parking lot into a scene from a disaster movie.
Gas Stations and Business Centers: The Exceptions
Don't assume the gas station follows the same rules as the warehouse. Often, Costco Gas Stations open earlier and close later than the main store. However, on those "Big Seven" holidays, the pumps are usually turned off too. If the warehouse is closed, the gas is usually closed.
Then there are the Costco Business Centers. These are the warehouses that don't have a bakery or a pharmacy and focus on selling to restaurants and offices. Their holiday schedules can be even stricter. Sometimes they close on days the regular warehouses stay open, or they have much shorter Saturday hours. If you’re a small business owner relying on a Monday delivery, you’ve really got to check their specific calendar because they don’t always sync up with the retail side.
Why They Do It (And Why It Matters)
Most retail experts like those at Fortune or The Wall Street Journal point to Costco's labor model as the reason for these closures. By staying closed on major holidays, they keep employee turnover low. It’s a trade-off. You lose a day of sales, but you keep a happy workforce that doesn't quit.
For you, the shopper, it means you have to be a planner. You can't be a "last-minute Lucy" at Costco.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Holiday Run
- Download the App: The Costco app usually updates its local "Warehouse Locator" with specific holiday hours about two weeks before the event.
- Shop Two Days Early: The day before a holiday closure (like the Sunday before Labor Day) is absolute chaos. Go on Friday if you can.
- Check the Pharmacy: Costco Pharmacies often have shorter hours than the warehouse. If the store closes at 6:00 PM, the pharmacy might close at 5:00 PM.
- Stock Up on Non-Perishables: Since you know exactly which seven days they'll be closed in 2026, buy your paper plates, sodas, and charcoal a month in advance.
Mark your calendar for those seven dates. If you're looking for a rotisserie chicken on July 4th, make sure you buy it on July 3rd and just reheat it. Your sanity (and your gas tank) will thank you.