New Year's Eve 2025: A Guide to Holiday Hours and Celestial Spectacles

Whether it’s the first or the last day of the year, there are usually some errands to be run. This year, New Year’s Eve is on a Tuesday and New Year’s Day falls on Wednesday. Many retailers, grocery stores, and pharmacies will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, though some have modified hours. Let's navigate the holiday hustle and bustle, starting with store hours and ending with a celestial treat.

Retail Therapy on New Year's Eve and Day

Several major retailers have adjusted their operating hours for the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holidays. Some will be open with reduced hours, while others will be completely closed. Here is a rundown of the hours for some popular stores:

Albertsons Companies: Stores including ACME, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, and Vons will be open on New Year’s Eve and Day, but with reduced hours. Check your local store for specifics.
Kroger: Most Kroger family stores (including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Owen’s, Pay Less, Pick ‘n Save, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith’s) will maintain their regular hours.
Costco: Closed on New Year’s Day. Sam's Club will also close early on New Year's Eve and remain closed on New Year's Day.
Aldi: Closing early on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day. Whole Foods will have limited hours on both days. Trader Joe’s will close early on New Year's Eve and close on New Year's Day.
Walmart and Target: Both Walmart and Target will be open for regular hours on both days, although some Target locations might close early on New Year’s Eve.
Home Improvement Stores: Home Depot will close early (6 p.m.) on New Year’s Eve and have adjusted hours on New Year’s Day. Lowe’s will also have shortened hours on both days.
Department Stores: Macy’s, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, and Nordstrom Rack will all be open with varying modified hours on both days. Check specific store locations for details.
Pharmacies: CVS Pharmacy locations will be open, although some may operate with reduced hours. Walgreens will have limited hours on New Year’s Eve and close on New Year’s Day. Rite Aid will follow a similar pattern: open on New Year's Eve but closed on New Year's Day.

Remember, these are general guidelines. It's always best to check with your local store for exact hours before heading out. Many stores are open on New Year's Eve, but many close early. Many grocery stores are open on New Year's Eve, but many close early. For instance, Jewel-Osco, which is typically open until midnight, is open until 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Many are open on New Year's Eve, but have adjusted hours. For instance, some Mariano's pharmacies will be closing at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Costco stores are open, but many have modified hours, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m.

Financial Markets and Mail Delivery

Most banks will follow Federal Reserve banking holidays, meaning teller services will be closed on New Year’s Day. However, online and mobile banking services will typically remain available, as well as ATMs. Bank of America and Wells Fargo locations, for example, will be closed on New Year's Day.

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will not be trading on New Year’s Day. The US Postal Service will not be sending or delivering mail on New Year’s Day. The stock market will be open on December 31st with regular hours, but bond markets will close early.

UPS and FedEx will have modified services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Check with their websites for specific details on which services will be operating.

A Celestial New Year's Treat: The Northern Lights

As if the holiday celebrations weren’t enough, this year there’s a chance of a spectacular celestial show! There's a chance solar storms may bring northern lights to several northern U.S. states just in time for the new year. The sun expelled two bursts of plasma expected to arrive early this week, according to NOAA. Once they arrive, they may spark colorful auroras Monday and Tuesday nights, potentially visible in states including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa and New York. The early morning hours on Tuesday, while it's still dark, should offer the best viewing opportunities.

The northern lights are most visible just after sunset or just before sunrise, ideally away from bright city lights. Even a smartphone camera might capture subtle auroras invisible to the naked eye. The active period is expected to last for at least another year, making this a potentially unforgettable New Year's experience.

Planning Your New Year's Eve and Day

With the information above, you can plan ahead for a smooth New Year's Eve and Day. Remember to check local store hours and be prepared for potential travel adjustments. Let's hope that the Northern Lights make for a stunningly memorable New Year's celebration, with a celestial display painting the night sky. As we step into the new year, let's hope it brings peace, progress, and prosperity to all. May the new year bring joy and happiness to every single individual. The future awaits.