What’s open and when around Bradenton on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Here’s a list

Ryan Ballogg
·3 min read
3

The height of the holiday season has arrived, and that means Christmas Eve is on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day is on Monday, Dec. 25.

Wondering where you can grab last-minute gifts or groceries around Bradenton and Manatee County?

Here’s a list of what’s open and closed and when, along with other important info for the holiday.

Federal, state and county closures, garbage collection changes

Monday, Dec. 25 is a federal, state and county government holiday.

That means:

  • The post office is closed and mail will not be delivered.

  • Government offices (federal, state, county and city) will be closed. Manatee County Government offices will also be closed Tuesday. Some services, such as Manatee County Tax Collector, will remain available online.

  • Public schools are closed and public school students remain on winter break; they return Jan. 9.

  • The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed.

  • Most banks are closed.

  • State and federal courts are closed.

  • Manatee County Public Libraries will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

  • Garbage collection for Manatee County, City of Bradenton and City of Palmetto customers will be rolled back one day. (Monday collections will move to Tuesday, etc.) The Lena Road Landfill will be closed on Monday.

  • G.T. Bray Recreation Center will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and reopen at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

  • MCAT fixed route and Handy Bus service will end at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will not operate on Christmas Day.

What grocery and drug stores are open Christmas Day? Hours?

  • Publix grocery stores and pharmacies will close at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day, reopening for normal hours on Tuesday. Find individual store hours at publix.com/locations.

  • Aldi stores may close early on Christmas Eve, and all locations are closed on Christmas Day. Find individual store hours at stores.aldi.us.

  • Trader Joe’s stores are open until 5 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.

  • Winn-Dixie locations may close early on Christmas Eve and all are closed on Christmas Day.

  • Detwiler’s Farm Market locations are closed Christmas Day.

  • Acapulco Tropical y Mas, 3410 U.S. 301, Ellenton, is open Christmas Day.

  • The Fresh Market, 6701 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton and 5251 University Parkway, University Park is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.

  • Whole Foods, 5298 University Parkway, Sarasota is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.

  • Many Walgreens and CVS locations are open on Christmas Day. Hours may be reduced. Call your local store or check hours at cvs.com or walgreens.com.

When do big box stores close Christmas Eve and open the day after Christmas?

  • Walmart will close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and remain closed Christmas Day. Stores open at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

  • Target will close at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and remain closed Christmas Day. Stores open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

  • Lowe’s and Home Depot locations close early on Christmas Eve and remain closed Christmas Day. Both stores open at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

  • Sam’s Club closes at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and Costco closes at 5 p.m. Both stores are closed on Christmas Day and will reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

What are mall hours for the Christmas holiday?

Ellenton Premium Outlets: Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday. More info: premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ellenton

The Mall at University Town Center: Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday. More info: mallatutc.com.

Are parks and beaches open?

  • Manatee County parks, beaches and preserves will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

  • De Soto National Memorial will be closed on Christmas Day.