Your complete guide to Black Friday 2025 store hours. Most major retailers open between 5-7 AM on November 28, with Kohl's leading at 5 AM. We track 50+ stores with live updates and early access tips.
Here's the thing about Black Friday 2025 – it's not just about the deals anymore. Knowing exactly when stores open on November 28, 2025 can be the difference between snagging that 65-inch TV for $299 or watching it disappear into someone else's cart. After tracking retail openings for years, I've learned that the stores opening at 5 AM often have the best doorbuster quantities.
This year brings a major shift: most big-box retailers are staying closed on Thanksgiving Day for the fifth consecutive year. That means Black Friday morning will see concentrated crowds like we haven't experienced since 2019. The good news? Extended hours throughout the weekend give you multiple shots at scoring deals.
Let me share something that frustrated me initially – stores don't all follow the same playbook anymore. While Kohl's throws open their doors at 5 AM sharp, Costco takes a more civilized approach at 9 AM. And here's a pro tip: some stores offer special early access hours for loyalty members that aren't widely advertised.
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Quick Store Hours Navigation:
Major Retailers Black Friday Opening Times 2025
Let's start with the heavy hitters – the stores where most Americans will be lining up before dawn. Based on official announcements and my conversations with store managers, here's your master schedule for Black Friday morning:
| Retailer | Black Friday Open | Black Friday Close | Thanksgiving Status | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kohl's | 5:00 AM | Midnight | CLOSED | Earliest major opening |
| JCPenney | 5:00 AM | Varies | CLOSED | Closing times by location |
| Target | 6:00 AM | Varies | CLOSED | Taylor Swift exclusive at open |
| Walmart | 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM | CLOSED | Regular hours |
| Best Buy | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | CLOSED | Tech doorbusters |
| Macy's | 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM | CLOSED | Extended hours all weekend |
| Home Depot | 6:00 AM | Regular close | CLOSED | Tool specials |
| Lowe's | 6:00 AM | Regular close | CLOSED | Appliance deals |
| Dick's Sporting Goods | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | CLOSED | Fitness equipment focus |
Thanksgiving Day 2025: Who's Open vs. Closed
Remember when stores started opening on Thanksgiving evening for "Black Thursday" sales? Those days are officially over. After testing dozens of approaches since 2020, retailers have settled on a clear pattern: stay closed on Thanksgiving, go big on Friday.
Confirmed CLOSED on Thanksgiving 2025:
OPEN on Thanksgiving (Limited Hours):
Never Miss a Store Opening!
Our Black Friday Store Tracker Pack includes printable schedules, mall maps, and a crowd-beating route planner for the top 50 retailers.
Get Your Shopping Battle PlanDepartment Store Black Friday Hours
Department stores are pulling out all the stops this year with their earliest openings since 2019. Here's what caught my attention – many are adding "soft openings" 30 minutes early for credit card holders:
| Store | Opening Time | Closing Time | Early Access | Key Deals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macy's | 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM | Star Rewards at 5:30 AM | 60-75% off clothing |
| JCPenney | 5:00 AM | Varies (10-11 PM) | Rewards members 4:45 AM | Appliances, jewelry |
| Kohl's | 5:00 AM | Midnight | Kohl's Cash preview Wed | Toys BOGO 50% off |
| Belk | 7:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Email subscribers 6:30 AM | Door prizes first 250 |
| Dillard's | 9:00 AM | 8:00 PM | None announced | Designer handbags |
| Nordstrom | Varies (8-9 AM) | Varies (9-10 PM) | Nordy Club early shop | Beauty exclusives |
| Neiman Marcus | 9:00 AM | Regular hours | InCircle preview | Luxury markdowns |
Warehouse Clubs: Different Rules Apply
Look, I get it – warehouse clubs march to their own drummer on Black Friday. They don't need the 5 AM hysteria because their membership model already guarantees foot traffic. But here's what most people miss: their online deals often start at midnight.
Electronics & Tech Store Hours
Electronics retailers learned their lesson from previous years' chaos. They're now spreading inventory across the entire weekend instead of dumping everything Friday morning. Smart move, if you ask me:
| Store | Friday Open | Friday Close | Weekend Hours | Hot Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Sat-Sun: 10 AM - 9 PM | TVs, laptops, gaming |
| GameStop | 5:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Extended all weekend | Console bundles |
| Apple Store | 8:00 AM | Regular | Normal weekend | Gift cards with purchase |
| Microsoft Store | Regular hours | Regular hours | Normal schedule | Surface deals online |
Home Improvement Store Hours
The sleeper category for Black Friday? Home improvement. While everyone fights over TVs, smart shoppers hit Lowe's and Home Depot for tool deals that rival any electronics doorbuster:
Specialty Retail Hours That Surprise
After testing different approaches, specialty retailers have found their sweet spot. Most avoid the dawn rush but stay open late:
| Category | Store | Black Friday Hours | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting Goods | Dick's Sporting Goods | 6 AM - 10 PM | Flash deals every 2 hours |
| Bass Pro Shops | 5 AM - 9 PM | Open Thanksgiving too | |
| REI | CLOSED | #OptOutside campaign | |
| Crafts | Michaels | 7 AM - 10 PM | Entire store sales |
| JOANN | 6 AM - 9 PM | Fabric doorbusters | |
| Hobby Lobby | 8 AM - 9 PM | No online sales | |
| Off-Price | T.J. Maxx | 7 AM - 10 PM | New markdowns |
| Marshalls | 7 AM - 10 PM | Designer finds | |
| HomeGoods | 7 AM - 10 PM | Holiday decor focus | |
| Burlington | 7 AM - Midnight | Latest closer | |
| Fashion | Old Navy | 5 AM varies | 50% off everything |
| Gap | Varies (8 AM typical) | Check local mall | |
| H&M | Varies by mall | Member presale Wed | |
| Beauty | Ulta | 6 AM - 10 PM | Door prizes |
| Sephora | Varies (mall hours) | VIB early access |
Local Mall Hours: Most shopping centers open at 6 AM on Black Friday with extended hours until 10-11 PM. Individual store hours within malls may vary. Outdoor shopping centers typically follow individual store schedules.
Curbside Pickup & Online Shopping Times
We've all been there – standing in a freezing line at 4:45 AM, wondering if there's a better way. This year, there absolutely is. Curbside pickup has become the secret weapon for avoiding Black Friday crowds while still getting the deals:
Curbside Pickup Availability (Black Friday):
Target Drive Up
Starts: 6:00 AM (with store opening)
How fast: 2 hours from order
Pro tip: Order Wednesday night for Friday morning pickup
Walmart Pickup
Starts: 6:00 AM
Slots: Book 24 hours ahead
Pro tip: Express pickup (under 1 hour) for $10
Best Buy Curbside
Starts: When store opens (6 AM)
Ready: 1 hour for in-stock items
Pro tip: Store pickup often faster than curbside
Home Depot Curbside
Starts: 6:00 AM
Speed: 2 hours average
Pro tip: Pro desk has separate line
Online Sale Start Times (Eastern Time):
Insider Tips for Black Friday Store Shopping
After covering Black Friday for years, I've picked up strategies that actually work. Forget the generic advice about "making a list" – here's what really makes a difference:
The 4-3-2-1 Rule for Black Friday Success:
Store-Specific Strategies:
Kohl's (5 AM): Enter through the home goods entrance – it's usually less crowded than the main entrance. Kohl's Cash earned can be used starting Saturday.
Target (6 AM): Download the Target app and add your RedCard before you go. The checkout lines move 50% faster with app payment. Electronics are typically in the back – go there first.
Walmart (6 AM): Skip the main entrance. Garden center and automotive entrances often have shorter lines and you can access the whole store.
Best Buy (6 AM): Get in line by 5 AM for tickets on major doorbusters. They hand out vouchers for limited quantity items. Once you have a ticket, you're guaranteed the item.
What's Different About Black Friday 2025:
Track Store Hours in Real-Time
Get instant alerts when stores update their Black Friday hours, plus exclusive early access notifications and crowd reports from shoppers.
Sign Up for Hour AlertsMall Hours for Black Friday 2025
Shopping centers have their own schedules that override individual store preferences. Here's what major malls are planning:
| Mall Type | Typical Opening | Typical Closing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Property Malls | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Some open at 5 AM |
| Westfield Centers | 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM | Food courts open early |
| Tanger Outlets | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Thursday 6 PM - Midnight |
| Premium Outlets | 5:00 AM | 11:00 PM | VIP Shopper Club 4 AM |
| Local Strip Centers | Varies | Varies | Follow anchor store |
Small Business Saturday Preview (November 29)
Don't forget – Saturday is becoming equally important for deals, especially at local shops:
Store Hours Update Schedule
- Added Target's Taylor Swift exclusive release timing
- Confirmed Costco's 9 AM opening (not 8 AM as rumored)
- Updated Walmart curbside pickup availability
- Added REI's closure for #OptOutside campaign
- Confirmed all major retailers closed Thanksgiving
Quick Answer: Top 10 Earliest Black Friday Openings
- Kohl's - 5:00 AM
- JCPenney - 5:00 AM
- Old Navy - 5:00 AM (select locations)
- GameStop - 5:00 AM
- Bass Pro Shops - 5:00 AM
- Target - 6:00 AM
- Walmart - 6:00 AM
- Best Buy - 6:00 AM
- Home Depot - 6:00 AM
- Lowe's - 6:00 AM
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do most stores open on Black Friday 2025?
Most major retailers open between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM on Black Friday, November 28, 2025. Kohl's and JCPenney lead with 5:00 AM openings, while Target, Walmart, and Best Buy open at 6:00 AM. Warehouse clubs like Costco open later at 9:00 AM.
Which major stores are closed on Thanksgiving 2025?
Nearly all major retailers are closed on Thanksgiving 2025, including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Costco, Kohl's, Macy's, and Home Depot. Only Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and select grocery stores remain open with limited hours.
Do stores open earlier for members on Black Friday?
Yes, many stores offer early access to loyalty members. Examples include Macy's Star Rewards (30 minutes early), JCPenney Rewards (15 minutes early), and Sam's Club Plus members (2 hours early). Check your store's app for exclusive member hours.
What store has the earliest Black Friday opening time?
Kohl's and JCPenney tie for the earliest major retailer openings at 5:00 AM. Some regional stores and outlets may open earlier. Premium Outlets often open at 5:00 AM or even midnight in some locations.
Can I shop Black Friday deals online instead of in-store?
Yes, most Black Friday deals are available online, often starting earlier than in-store. Many begin at midnight on Thanksgiving, and some start even earlier for members. Curbside pickup combines online shopping with same-day gratification.
Which store stays open latest on Black Friday?
Kohl's stays open until midnight, making it one of the latest closers. Burlington is open until midnight as well. Most other major retailers close between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM on Black Friday.
Is REI open on Black Friday 2025?
No, REI is closed on Black Friday as part of their #OptOutside campaign, encouraging people to spend time outdoors instead of shopping. They've maintained this tradition since 2015.
Final Tips for Black Friday Success
Look, I get it – Black Friday can be overwhelming. But here's my advice after years of covering this shopping marathon: pick your battles wisely. You don't need to be at every store at opening. Choose 2-3 retailers with your must-have items and focus on those.
Remember that most "doorbusters" are now spread throughout the weekend, not just Friday morning. If you miss the 5 AM Kohl's opening, you're not missing everything – they refresh deals throughout the day.
Finally, keep this guide handy and check back for updates. Store hours can change last-minute based on weather, regional factors, or corporate decisions. We'll keep updating through Thanksgiving week.
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