Charlotte NC, December 25, 2025
Charlotte residents faced significant changes to their shopping plans during the holiday season as liquor stores closed on Christmas Day and many retailers adjusted their hours. State law mandated all ABC liquor stores in Mecklenburg County to remain closed on December 25, prompting early shopping on Christmas Eve. Grocery stores also implemented early closures, leading to limited options for last-minute Christmas purchases. The warm weather added another unexpected twist to holiday festivities, with temperatures reaching record highs.
Charlotte Navigates Holiday Closures: Liquor Stores Shut for Christmas Day, Retailers Adjust Hours
Charlotte, NC – Residents across Charlotte and North Carolina faced significant adjustments to their shopping plans over the past 48 hours, as state-controlled liquor stores observed a full closure on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. This closure, a long-standing practice mandated by State-level law, meant that those seeking spirituous liquor needed to complete their purchases well in advance, particularly during the reduced hours on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, most grocery and major retail establishments also closed their doors for Christmas Day, following a trend of early closures on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, to allow employees time off with loved ones.
State-Mandated Liquor Store Closures
All ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) stores in Mecklenburg County, which encompasses Charlotte, were closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. This mirrors the Statewide policy in North Carolina, where ABC stores are prohibited from operating on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, Mecklenburg County’s ABC stores operated with reduced hours, generally from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Similar reduced hours were observed in other North Carolina counties such as Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake, where stores also closed by 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Shoppers were advised to plan ahead, as all ABC stores will resume normal operations on December 26, with Mecklenburg County stores opening at 10 a.m. It is important to note that while liquor purchases are restricted to ABC stores Statewide, beer and wine remain available for purchase at grocery stores, even on Christmas Day.
Widespread Retail and Grocery Closures
Beyond liquor sales, the Christmas holiday also brought extensive closures and adjusted hours for a vast majority of other businesses in Charlotte. Most major grocery stores and retail outlets across the region were closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, many of these establishments closed significantly earlier than usual, with most shutting their doors between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Christmas Eve Retail Operations in Charlotte
For last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve, many major retailers and grocery stores in Charlotte adjusted their schedules. For instance, Aldi closed at 4 p.m., Costco by 5 p.m., and Trader Joe’s by 5 p.m. Other popular grocery chains such as Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, and Whole Foods Market generally closed at 7 p.m., while Lidl and Lowes Foods closed at 6 p.m. Walmart also concluded its Christmas Eve operations by 6 p.m., and Target closed at 8 p.m. Department stores and malls like Belk, Dillard’s, HomeGoods, Lowe’s, Marshalls, Nordstrom, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Carolina Place, Charlotte Premium Outlets, Concord Mills, Northlake Mall, and SouthPark also saw early closures, typically by 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Limited Options on Christmas Day
Finding an open store on Christmas Day was considerably more challenging. While most major grocery chains like Aldi, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lidl, Meijer, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods were Nationwide closed, some smaller or convenience-focused establishments did remain open, often with limited hours. Options included most CVS and Walgreens stores, typically with adjusted hours, along with 7-Eleven, QuikTrip, and Sheetz locations. Locally in Charlotte, Common Market Plaza Midwood maintained its regular hours of 8 a.m. to midnight, though its deli was closed. Super G Mart was also open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Compare Foods Charlotte operated from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Unseasonably Warm Christmas Weather
Adding a distinctive element to the holiday period, Christmas Eve in Charlotte was notably warm, anticipated to be one of the warmest on record for the city. Temperatures were expected to approach or even surpass the historical high of 73 degrees. This trend of warmer holiday temperatures has been observed over recent decades. On Christmas Day itself, temperatures in Charlotte were around 51°F. This mild weather provided a comfortable atmosphere for those enjoying outdoor activities, diverging from traditional expectations of a colder, possibly snowy, Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions regarding store hours and holiday operations in Charlotte during the Christmas season:
H4>Are Charlotte liquor stores open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025?
No, all liquor stores in Mecklenburg County and across North Carolina were closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, due to State-level law.
H4>What were the Christmas Eve hours for ABC stores in Charlotte on December 24, 2025?
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, Mecklenburg County ABC stores in Charlotte operated with reduced hours, generally from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
H4>Can beer and wine be purchased in Charlotte on Christmas Day?
Yes, while liquor must be purchased at ABC stores, beer and wine are available for purchase at grocery stores in North Carolina, including on Christmas Day.
H4>Were most grocery stores in Charlotte open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025?
No, most major grocery stores in Charlotte and Nationwide were closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.
H4>Which types of stores were open on Christmas Day in Charlotte?
Some convenience stores and pharmacies, such as most CVS and Walgreens locations, along with 7-Eleven, QuikTrip, Sheetz, Common Market Plaza Midwood, Super G Mart, and Compare Foods Charlotte, had adjusted hours or remained open on Christmas Day.
H4>What was the weather like in Charlotte on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025?
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, was unseasonably warm in Charlotte, anticipated to be one of the warmest on record for the city, with temperatures potentially reaching the 70s.
H4>When did most retail stores in Charlotte close on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025?
Most retail stores in Charlotte closed early on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, with many shutting their doors between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Key Features of Charlotte Holiday Store Operations (December 24-25, 2025)
| Category | Christmas Eve (December 24, 2025) | Christmas Day (December 25, 2025) | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Liquor Stores | Reduced hours (Mecklenburg County: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) | Closed | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Beer and Wine Sales | Available at grocery stores | Available at grocery stores | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Major Grocery Stores | Early closures (e.g., Aldi 4 p.m., Walmart 6 p.m., Target 8 p.m.) | Mostly Closed | Local (Charlotte) & Nationwide |
| Major Retail Stores & Malls | Early closures (e.g., most by 6-7 p.m.) | Mostly Closed | Local (Charlotte) |
| Convenience Stores/Pharmacies | Many open, some with adjusted hours | Many open, some with adjusted hours (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, 7-Eleven) | Local (Charlotte) & Nationwide |
| Local Independent Grocers (select) | Super G Mart (until 9 p.m.), Compare Foods (until 8 p.m.) | Super G Mart (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Compare Foods (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Common Market (regular hours) | Local (Charlotte) |
| Christmas Eve Weather | Unseasonably warm, potentially one of the warmest on record (expected in 70s) | N/A (Christmas Eve) | Local (Charlotte) |
| Christmas Day Weather | N/A (Christmas Day) | Partly cloudy, 51°F | Local (Charlotte) |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
