Is Dollar General Open on Christmas? A Complete Holiday Guide for 2025

The holiday season is always a whirlwind of celebrations, shopping, and preparations. No matter how carefully you plan, it’s easy to run out of wrapping paper, forget batteries for new toys, or realize you still need snacks for guests. For millions of families across America, Dollar General Open on Christmas stands out as the go-to destination for last-minute holiday essentials.

But what about the most important holiday on the calendar? Is Dollar General Open on Christmas 2025? In this complete holiday guide, we’ll walk you through Dollar General Open on Christmas status, Christmas Eve hours, shopping tips, alternative store options, and what to do to prepare so you aren’t caught off guard.

🎄 Dollar General: Why It’s a Holiday Favorite

Dollar General has more than 19,000 stores across the U.S., making it one of the largest discount retailers in the country. Shoppers love it during the holiday rush because of:

• Affordability – Budget-friendly buys for gifts, stocking stuffers, and seasonal items.

• Convenience – Locations in both urban areas and small towns mean you rarely need to travel far.

• Holiday Inventory – Christmas wrapping paper, bows, décor, candy, and toys are stocked heavily in December.

• Quick Shopping Experience – Smaller stores are easier to navigate compared to megastores like Walmart.

These features make Dollar General an essential player in holiday shopping, especially when time is short.

🕒 Is Dollar General Open on Christmas Day 2025?

The most important answer is: No, Dollar General will not be open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.

Like most large retail chains, Dollar General observes a nationwide closure on Christmas. Employees are given the day off to spend with their families, aligning with the industry standard followed by Walmart, Target, Costco, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar as well.

This means that if you find yourself needing tape, batteries, or groceries on December 25, your local Dollar General store will not be an option.

📅 Dollar General Open on Christmas 2025 Hours

While the chain is closed on Christmas Day, the good news is that Dollar General will be open on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025.

Here’s what shoppers can expect:

• Opening Time: Stores will open at their usual time (typically 7:00 or 8:00 a.m.).

• Closing Time: Most locations close earlier than normal, usually around 8 p.m. local time.

Because hours can differ by location, use the Dollar General store locator or call your nearest store before heading out.

💡 Tip: Plan to shop in the morning or early afternoon on December 24. By evening, shelves are often bare and checkout lines grow long.

🌟 Why Dollar General Closes on Christmas

Shoppers may wonder why Dollar General shuts down nationwide on Christmas when some stores like gas stations and convenience markets remain open. There are three key reasons:

1. Employee Wellbeing – Christmas is one of the few guaranteed days off that retail employees get nationwide.

2. Low Demand – While Christmas Eve is one of the busiest shopping days, demand drops to nearly zero on December 25 as families gather at home.

3. Industry Norms – Other big retailers including Walmart, Target, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree follow the same tradition.

🛒 Last-Minute Items to Grab Before Christmas

Since Christmas Eve is your last chance to shop at Dollar General before December 26, here are the items most shoppers need to remember to buy:

• 🎁 Wrapping paper, bags, tape, and bows for last-minute gifts.

• 🔋 Batteries for children’s toys and electronics.

• 🍬 Candy and stocking stuffers like chocolates, puzzles, and small toys.

• 🍪 Snacks and drinks for holiday entertaining.

• ✨ Decorations such as lights, stockings, or candles.

• 🧻 Everyday essentials like paper towels, aluminum foil, and napkins.

🏪 Shopping Alternatives if Dollar General Is Closed on Christmas

If you’ve forgotten something once Christmas morning arrives, don’t panic. While Dollar General won’t be open, there are some stores that remain available:

• Convenience Stores (7-Eleven, Circle K, Speedway, Wawa) – Most locations are open 24/7 and can provide drinks, snacks, and small essentials.

• Pharmacies (CVS and Walgreens) – Select stores stay open with reduced hours, especially for urgent needs.

• Gas Stations – Mini-marts are often open on Christmas for basic household items.

• Restaurants & Cafés – Some Starbucks, Dunkin’, Denny’s, and McDonald’s locations remain open.

For a verified national list of open stores and restaurants each Christmas, USA Today’s Holiday Store Hours Guide is an excellent resource.

✅ Tips for Stress-Free Shopping at Dollar General Before Christmas

To make your holiday errands simpler and avoid day-of frustration, follow these tips:

1. Shop by December 23 – You’ll avoid the biggest Christmas Eve crowds and have better product availability.

2. Go Early on December 24 – Shelves will be fuller and checkout lines shorter in the morning.

3. Make a Checklist – Don’t forget common essentials like wrapping tape, bows, or batteries.

4. Look for Deals – Dollar General often features digital coupons in the app for seasonal items.

5. Plan for December 25 Closures – Identify your nearby 24-hour convenience store in case of emergencies.

🎅 Dollar General Hours Compared with Competitors

To give you a better idea of holiday hours, here’s how Dollar General compares in 2025:

• Dollar General – Open Christmas Eve until around 8 p.m., closed on Christmas Day.

• Family Dollar – Open Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.

• Dollar Tree – Closes early on Christmas Eve, closed December 25.

• Walmart & Target – Typically open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.

• Costco & Sam’s Club – Generally close earlier than most on Dec 24 (by 6 p.m.), closed Dec 25.

Across the board, major dollar stores and retail chains are all closed nationwide on Christmas Day.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Dollar General will not be open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.

• Dollar General will be open on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, but with shortened hours (closing around 8 p.m.).

• Shoppers should plan to finish errands by December 23 or early on December 24 to avoid crowds and empty shelves.

• If you find yourself in need on Christmas Day, convenience stores, CVS, Walgreens, or gas stations are your best options.

• Dollar General stores reopen on December 26, 2025, often with clearance sales on holiday merchandise.

Read More: Family Dollar vs Dollar Tree: Which Stores Stay Open on Christmas Eve 2025?

Final Thoughts

So, is Dollar General open on Christmas 2025? The answer is clear: No, the store will be closed nationwide on December 25.

The last chance to shop for holiday gifts, essentials, or stocking stuffers will be Christmas Eve, December 24, when most stores remain open until evening. If you know you’ll need batteries, wrapping tape, or snacks, it’s best to secure those items on December 23 or the morning of December 24.

If emergencies arise on Christmas Day, your best solutions are pharmacies, convenience stores, or 24-hour gas station mini-marts. Beyond that, you’ll need to wait until December 26, when Dollar General reopens with after-holiday sales and discounts.

Planning ahead will help you celebrate fully without unnecessary stress, focusing instead on what truly matters: family, joy, and the festive holiday spirit.