Christmas Eve falls on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, this year.
It’s a day of remembrance around the birth of Jesus.
Many people choose to attend religious services at midnight, or close to it, to observe the day.
Unofficial Christmas Eve traditions began during World War I fighting, coined as “the Christmas truce” in 1914 and 1915. German soldiers lit candles and sung Christmas carols, while British troops responded by singing English carols. Sometimes, these troops exchanged small gifts.
Here is everything you need to know about what’s open and what’s closed on Christmas Eve 2024.
The federal government recognizes 11 holidays, including Christmas Day, but not Christmas Eve.
On federal holidays, nonessential government offices close and federal workers are entitled to paid time off for the day. When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, full-time employees are granted a different day off for the holiday to be observed.
Christmas Eve is still not considered one of the 12 observed state holidays in New Jersey, although many workers opt to take the day off and some services could be limited. Christmas Day is the final state holiday of the year.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) says on its website that mail will be delivered on Christmas Eve. Priority Mail Express will also be delivered.
FedEx will make deliveries, and most services are open or have modified hours. The only FedEx service that is closed is FedEx Freight. FedEx Express and FedEx Office have modified hours.
UPS will have normal delivery operations, although some UPS stores may have modified business hours. UPS Express Critical will also be available.
Amazon delivery services will run as scheduled, and there are no expected delays related to the Christmas Eve holiday.
United States Postal Service offices will be open.
Most major bank branches will be open but operating with reduced hours.
If your bank is open and operating with reduced hours, it is best to check with your local branch for their specific hours.
The following bank branches will be open but with reduced hours:
Yes, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq and bond markets will all be open but will close early because of the upcoming Christmas holiday.
When Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, which in this case is a Tuesday this year, stock markets will close early at 1 p.m. EST while the bond markets will close at 2 p.m. EST.
Many supermarkets will be open with reduced hours. Shoppers should ultimately check with their local supermarket for specific information.
The following grocery stores will be open with reduced hours:
- Acme (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Aldi (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Costco (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; varies by store)
- Foodtown (varies by store)
- Lidl (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Sam’s Club (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- ShopRite (varies by store)
- Stop & Shop (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Target (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; varies by store)
- Trader Joe’s (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Walmart (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Wegmans (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Whole Foods (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; varies by store)
Many stores will be open on Christmas Eve but with reduced hours.
Shoppers should ultimately check with their local store in the event hours vary by location, but below is a roundup of some of the big retailers’ hours.
- Apple (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Barnes and Noble (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Bass Pro Shops (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Bath & Body Works (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; varies by store)
- Best Buy (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Big Lots (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Boscov’s (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Burlington (7 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
- CVS (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Dick’s Sporting Goods (7 a.m – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Dollar General (8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; varies by store)
- Dollar Tree (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; varies by store)
- Family Dollar (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; varies by store)
- GameStop (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; varies by store)
- Hobby Lobby (9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
- Home Depot (6 a.m. – 5 p.m.; varies by store)
- Ikea (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- JCPenney (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Kohl’s (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Lowe’s (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Macy’s (8 a.m. – 7 p.m)
- Marshalls (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Nordstrom (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Nordstrom Rack (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Old Navy (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Petco (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; varies by store)
- PetSmart (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; varies by store)
- Rite Aid (varies by store)
- REI (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Starbucks (varies by store)
- T.J. Maxx (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Ulta Beauty (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Walgreens (varies by store)
Many local and chain restaurants should be open on Christmas Eve, if you want to grab some takeout for holiday dinner.
ThePioneerWoman.com has also compiled a list of 32 restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve with some varying by location.
Are malls open on Christmas Eve 2024?
All malls in New Jersey will be open along with most major shopping centers throughout the state, if you need to get in some last-minute holiday shopping.
However, keep in mind that some malls may close earlier due to the upcoming holiday.
All MVC locations will be open because Christmas Eve falls on a weekday. Additionally, all New Jersey state offices and courthouses will be open.
NJ Transit’s bus will run on a normal weekday schedule or a special holiday schedule. Its rail service will offer Early Getaway service from Penn Station New York, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal. Meanwhile, the Newark Light Rail and River Line will run on a Sunday schedule, and the HBLR will operate on a Saturday/Sunday/Holiday schedule. For NJ Transit, riders should use NJ Transit’s online trip planner to double-check arrival and departure times.
PATH and SEPTA will also operate on regular weekday schedules.
The next federal holiday is Christmas Day on Monday, Dec. 25.
For more information about the history of Christmas Eve, check out the video below:
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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
