The Holiday season is upon us. It seems like every year we prepare for the holidays sooner and sooner, even before Halloween. This time of year can mean so many different things to everyone depending on their cultural beliefs, backgrounds, or personalities. Whatever it is that you do or do not celebrate, there is plenty to do during the holidays, especially on Thanksgiving day. For those who are not able to make it to any family or friend events, just want to keep it casual and easy, or just simply don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, there are options out there for you. Check it out:
Closed on Thanksgiving:
- All major banks (US, TCF, Wells Fargo)
- All public schools will be closed along with all Universities
- Parking meters will not be enforced anywhere within the Twin Cities
- Public agencies: Local, state, and federal offices
- City, county, state and federal offices
- Public Libraries
- Liquor stores (closed under state law in Minnesota, but, surprise, they are open in Wisconsin)
- Post offices
Open, but hours may vary, on Thanksgiving:
- Most major grocery stores, Cub Foods, HyVee, Whole Foods, will be open (call for hours)
- Most restaurants and bars are open (call for hours). Note: Check out some of these restaurants on Open Table which is offering specialty reservations for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Metro Transit buses and Metro Blue, Green and Red lines will follow Sunday/holiday schedules. For routes, visit metrotransit.org. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Maple Grove Transit, Plymouth Metrolink and SouthWest Transit will not be in service. Call Metro Mobility for service. There will be no service on the Northstar Line.
- Most movie theaters will be open (call for showtimes and hours)
Side notes for Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday
- Mall of America is pushing back to keep doors closed Thanksgiving day, however, stores/restaurants with external doors have the option to open Thanksgiving day.
- Target says it will open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and then close at midnight local time. Its stores will then reopen at 6 a.m. local time on Friday until 10pm, 11pm or midnight local time. Read more about Target Black Friday.
- Walmart will be open all day, however, their Black Friday deals won’t start until 6pm. Walmart will also be offering special online Black Friday Deals starting at midnight on Thanksgiving morning. Read more about Walmart Black Friday.
