Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday: Holiday Hours, Travel Trends, and Shopping Deals
As Thanksgiving approaches, Americans are gearing up for the holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving meals and Black Friday shopping. While most major retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, they will open early on Black Friday, the unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping frenzy.
On Thanksgiving Day, government offices, post offices, courts, and schools will be closed. U.S. stock markets and banks will also be closed, with markets reopening on Friday for a shortened trading day. FedEx and UPS will not offer standard pickup and delivery services on Thanksgiving, except for critical services at select locations.
Retail giants like Walmart, Target, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Costco will be closed on Thanksgiving but will open early on Black Friday. CVS and Walgreens will have modified hours on Thanksgiving, while most grocery stores will be open for last-minute Thanksgiving needs.
The Thanksgiving weekend is expected to be the busiest travel period of the year, with AAA projecting 81.8 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home. The majority of travelers, around 73 million, will be driving, with gas prices averaging around $3 per gallon. Domestic flights are expected to increase by 2%, while other modes of travel like buses, trains, and cruise ships will see an 8.5% increase in travelers.
In conclusion, as Thanksgiving approaches, Americans are preparing for a mix of holiday gatherings, shopping, and travel. With retailers gearing up for Black Friday deals and millions of travelers hitting the road, the holiday season is officially in full swing.