Are Malls Open on Thanksgiving?

Most major malls close on Thanksgiving Day. Large operators such as Simon and destination properties such as Mall of America publish Thanksgiving closures, while exterior-access restaurants, cinemas, and anchors may set separate hours. Malls commonly reopen early the next morning for Black Friday.

It wasn't always this way. Through much of the 2010s, some malls and big-box anchors opened on Thanksgiving evening, pulling Black Friday into the holiday itself. Large operators shifted back toward Thanksgiving closures starting in 2020, and published schedules from major properties continue to show that pattern.

What's Still Open on Thanksgiving

The closure applies to the mall itself — its common areas and interior stores. Businesses with their own exterior entrances set their own schedules, so you may still find open on Thanksgiving:

• Movie theaters attached to malls — Thanksgiving is one of the biggest moviegoing days of the year.
• Sit-down restaurants on mall perimeters, some serving Thanksgiving menus.
• Grocery stores anchoring open-air centers (usually morning hours only).
• Pharmacies and convenience retail in strip centers near malls.

When Do Malls Open on Black Friday?

Most malls open their doors between 6 and 8 a.m. on Black Friday — earlier than a normal day, but far from the midnight openings of a decade ago. Department-store anchors often open before the mall corridors do, and many malls extend evening hours through the weekend. Outlet centers tend to open on the earlier end of the range.

Exact times vary by property, and malls usually post their Black Friday schedule in early November. Find your mall in our directory and use the official website link on its page to confirm — browse malls by state.