
All Holidays and Special Days during which Starbucks Remain Closed
Starbucks, the global coffee giant, keeps its doors open nearly year-round, but there are a handful of major holidays when most U.S. stores shut down completely. This allows baristas time with family and ensures a well-deserved break during peak seasons. While policies can vary by location—especially for licensed spots in airports, grocery stores, or malls—the corporate-owned stores follow a consistent pattern of full closures on select days. As of 2025, no major changes have been announced to this list, though ongoing restructuring includes permanent store closures unrelated to holidays.
Table of Contents
This blog covers all holidays and special days when Starbucks remains closed, based on official guidelines and recent updates. We’ll also tackle the most common questions customers ask, like “Is Starbucks open on [holiday]?”—those frantic searches that spike every December. If you’re planning a holiday caffeine fix, always double-check via the Starbucks app or store locator, as hours can shift locally.
Starbucks’ Official Closure Days
Starbucks prioritizes employee well-being, closing on seven key U.S. federal and cultural holidays. These are full closures for the vast majority of stores—no drive-thrus, no mobile orders, no exceptions in most cases. Here’s the complete list:
1. New Year’s Day (January 1)
All stores close to ring in the new year. No morning rush-hour lattes here—plan ahead for your resolutions.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
A day of reflection means no Starbucks service. Corporate stores honor the holiday with a full shutdown.
3. Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Honoring fallen service members includes closing doors—no summer kickoff brews.
4. Juneteenth (June 19)
Starbucks added this federal holiday in recent years, closing to commemorate emancipation.
5. Independence Day (July 4)
Fireworks and BBQs, but no iced coffee. Stores stay dark for the Fourth.
6. Labor Day (First Monday in September)
A nod to workers everywhere—ironic, but Starbucks gives its team the day off.
7. Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
The big one for family feasts. No turkey-fueled caffeine runs.
8. Christmas Day (December 25)
Santa’s off-duty, and so is Starbucks. The merriest closure of the year.
Notes on These Closures:
- These apply primarily to company-operated stores in the U.S. Licensed locations (e.g., inside Target or airports) may operate on reduced hours or stay open, but it’s rare.
- Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve aren’t full closures—many stores open with limited hours (e.g., 5 a.m.–noon on Easter, varying on Christmas Eve). Thanksgiving is the only major winter holiday with a blanket shutdown.
- No other “special days” like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or Black Friday trigger closures—Starbucks thrives on those shopping sprees.
Recent news focuses on permanent store closures (about 1% of North American locations in fiscal 2025, or 100–430 stores total), but these are for underperformance, not holidays. Expect the holiday policy to hold steady.
Common Customer Questions: “Is Starbucks Open on…?”
Holiday searches for Starbucks hours skyrocket—think millions of “Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving?” queries flooding Google each year. Customers panic over disrupted routines, especially during family travel or work commutes. Based on search trends, social media buzz, and customer forums, here are the top questions, with straightforward answers:
1. Is Starbucks Open on Easter Sunday?
Most stores open with reduced hours (typically 5 a.m.–noon or 6 a.m.–2 p.m.), but some close entirely. Use the app to confirm—perfect for a post-church pick-me-up, but don’t count on late service.
2. Is Starbucks Open on Christmas Day?
No—full closure nationwide. Stock up on Christmas Eve, when many spots run limited hours (e.g., closing by 4–6 p.m.). The “Is Starbucks open on Christmas?” search peaks here, with folks craving holiday cheer in a cup.
3. Is Starbucks Open on Thanksgiving?
Nope, closed all day. This one’s a shocker for road-trippers; “Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving Day?” gets massive hits as families hit the highway.
4. Is Starbucks Open on New Year’s Day?
Closed—ring in 2026 (or beyond) without the caffeine crutch. Queries like “Is Starbucks open New Year’s Day?” surge with party recovery needs.
5. Is Starbucks Open on Independence Day (July 4th)?
Full closure. Fireworks fans ask “Is Starbucks open on the 4th of July?” early, hoping for parade fuel.
6. Is Starbucks Open on Memorial Day?
Closed. Weekend warriors search “Is Starbucks open Memorial Day?” for beach trip essentials.
7. Is Starbucks Open on Labor Day?
Shutdown for the long weekend. “Is Starbucks open Labor Day?” is common as summer ends.
8. Is Starbucks Open on Black Friday?
Yes—many stores open early (5–6 a.m.) for shopping frenzy fuel. No major closure worries here.
9. Is Starbucks Open on Halloween?
Fully operational, often with themed drinks. “Is Starbucks open on Halloween?” is more about costume contests than closures.
10. Is Starbucks Open on Valentine’s Day?
Open as usual, with heart-eyed specials. Searches focus on date-night drinks, not hours.
Pro Tip for All Queries: The Starbucks app’s store locator is your best friend—enter your ZIP code for real-time hours. Social media like @Starbucks on X (Twitter) or Instagram often posts holiday alerts too. If a store’s closed unexpectedly, blame local variations, not corporate policy.
Why These Closures Happen (and What to Do Instead)
Starbucks closes on these days to prioritize work-life balance for its 200,000+ U.S. partners (employees), aligning with its “third place” ethos—community over commerce. It’s a rare breather in a 24/7 world, but it frustrates caffeine addicts. In 2025, with ongoing restructurings (including 900 layoffs and 100+ permanent closures), holiday policies remain unchanged, focusing on employee support.
Alternatives? Brew at home with Starbucks pods via Nespresso, or hit up 24/7 spots like Dunkin’ or gas stations (though purists cringe). For holidays without closures, mobile order ahead to skip lines.
Practical Tips for Holiday Planning
- Check Early: Use the app weekly in November–December; hours update dynamically.
- Stock Up: Buy beans or K-cups pre-holiday—your at-home barista awaits.
- Licensed Locations: Airports and Walmarts often stay open; search “24/7 Starbucks near me.”
- Global Note: Outside the U.S., closures vary—e.g., many U.K. stores close on Easter Sunday.
- Ask Away: If “Is Starbucks open on [day]?” bugs you, voice search it—Siri pulls app data.
Things to Avoid
Don’t assume all stores follow corporate rules—mall locations might close with the anchor tenant. Avoid last-minute drives on closure days; traffic’s bad enough. Skip relying on outdated Google results—2025 hours match 2024 patterns, but verify.
Tailoring to Your Routine
If you’re a daily commuter, bookmark airport Starbucks for travel holidays. Families? Plan around kids’ breaks like MLK Day. Remote workers? Use closures for home-brew experiments. Adjust based on your caffeine habits for stress-free sips.
Key Takeaways
Starbucks remains closed on eight major holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas—giving teams a much-needed pause. Easter isn’t a full closure but often limited. Customers’ top cries—”Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving?” or “Is Starbucks open on Christmas?”—stem from routine disruptions, but the app solves them fast. With no 2025 changes amid restructurings, plan ahead, embrace home brews, and remember: A closed Starbucks means more time for what matters. What’s your go-to holiday coffee hack?