Memorial Day is the opposite of a closure day. Where Thanksgiving and Christmas Day shut retail down almost entirely, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and one of the biggest sales weekends of the year. Nearly every store category stays open with regular hours, and many retailers use the long weekend to run their best spring promotions on appliances, mattresses, and outdoor gear.
When Is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday in May, so the exact date shifts from year to year. In 2027, that puts it on May 31, which also makes it the very last day of the month. Because the holiday is always a Monday, it creates a reliable three-day weekend, and retailers plan their sales calendars around it well in advance.
Is Walmart Open on Memorial Day?
Yes. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all run their normal hours on Memorial Day. This isn't a day these retailers want to be closed - it's one of the busiest shopping weekends of the spring, driven by cookout supplies, home projects, and seasonal sales.
Home Improvement and Appliance Sales
Home Depot and Lowe's stay open with regular hours and lean hard into Memorial Day weekend promotions. It's traditionally one of the best times of the year to buy a major appliance, grill, or outdoor furniture - discounts in the 20-30% range on refrigerators, washers, and dryers are common, similar to what shows up around Black Friday or Presidents' Day.
Department Stores and Electronics
Macy's and Kohl's stay open and run Memorial Day clothing and home goods sales. Best Buy also participates with discounts on TVs and laptops, though the deals tend to be a notch behind what shows up on Black Friday. If you've been holding off on a purchase, Memorial Day weekend is a reasonable time to check prices before committing.
Grocery Stores and Cookout Supplies
Kroger and Publix both run their normal hours on Memorial Day, though expect more traffic than a typical Monday as people stock up for cookouts and gatherings. Mornings tend to be the calmer window - if you can shop before noon, you'll avoid the bulk of the crowd looking for burgers, buns, and charcoal.
Pharmacies, Discount Stores and Auto Parts
CVS and Walgreens keep their regular hours, as do Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Auto parts retailers like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts also stay open on their usual schedule - useful if a road trip breaks down over the long weekend.
| Store | Normal Monday Hours | Memorial Day 2027 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM | No change - open as usual |
| Target | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM | No change - open as usual |
| Home Depot | 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM | No change - sale hours as usual |
| Lowe's | 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM | No change - sale hours as usual |
| Best Buy | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM | No change - open as usual |
| Kroger | 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM | No change - busier than usual |
| CVS | 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM | No change - open as usual |
| Dollar General | 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM | No change - open as usual |
| Banks & Post Offices | Varies | Closed all day |
| Government Offices | Varies | Closed all day |
Hours shown are typical patterns, not guarantees - individual locations set their own holiday schedule, so always confirm with your specific store before making a trip.
Memorial Day vs. Other Holidays
Memorial Day sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and Easter Sunday. Those three trigger real closures across department stores, malls, and grocery chains. Memorial Day, like Labor Day, is a shopping holiday instead - retailers want the foot traffic, and the only closures come from institutions that don't depend on sales, like banks and government offices.
Tips for Memorial Day Weekend
If you're grocery shopping for a cookout, go before noon to beat the crowds. If you're eyeing a big-ticket purchase like an appliance or mattress, Memorial Day weekend sales are genuinely worth comparing against other pricing, not just marketing hype. And if you have any banking or post office errands, handle them Friday or the following Tuesday - those are the two closures you can actually count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walmart open on Memorial Day?
Yes. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all stay open on Memorial Day with their regular hours. Memorial Day is a sales holiday, not a closure day, so retailers want their doors open.
What is closed on Memorial Day?
Banks, post offices, government offices, and schools close for Memorial Day. Some office supply stores may close too. Nearly every retail category - grocery, department stores, home improvement, electronics - stays open.
Are grocery stores open on Memorial Day?
Yes, grocery stores run their normal hours on Memorial Day. Expect heavier traffic than usual as people shop for cookouts, so mornings tend to be less crowded than afternoons.
What day is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day 2027 falls on Monday, May 31. It's always the last Monday in May, which is why the exact date shifts each year.
Is Home Depot open on Memorial Day?
Yes. Home Depot and Lowe's both stay open with regular hours on Memorial Day and typically run some of their biggest sales of the spring on appliances, tools, and outdoor gear.