Are you a serial procrastinator? An adrenaline junkie who loves the thrill of uncomfortably shortening your holiday shopping trips? Or maybe you’ve been put off by your dodgy cousin who dropped the ball on a key Thanksgiving dinner dish?
Whatever the case, you need to know what will be open on November 24 so you can grab that last-minute item and save the meeting.
Back by popular demand, this is The Desert Sun’s roundup of Thanksgiving grocery store hours! We’ve worked around the clock on an active phone to bring you the most comprehensive list.
No problem.
Ralphs: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Most Ralphs stores across the valley will open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving, though some, like the Palm Springs Smoketree Village location, will open as early as 5 a.m. will close at 4 pm
Albertsons: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Flagship stores at Albertsons’ four Coachella Valley locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Associates at the 74-0590 Highway 111 location in Palm Desert said some departments may close as early as noon.
Aldi & Trader Joe’s—Closed
Despite their German ownership, both supermarket chains will, as always, be closed for the second most American holiday (if you can’t think of the first, the ghost of George Washington may be haunting you).
Grocery Store: (Mostly) Closed
Three of the discount supermarket’s four Coachella Valley franchises will be closed on Thanksgiving. Multiple associates at the La Quinta location said the store will “probably” be open on Thanksgiving, opening at 7 a.m. and likely closing around 5 p.m.
Vons—6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The main shopping areas at the 115-year-old grocery store’s three Coachella Valley locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Specialty departments like deli, bakery, and meats will likely close earlier, around 1 p.m., and have limited service throughout the day. Store employees recommended ordering items like specialty cuts of meat ahead of time to ensure availability.
Stater Bros. Markets — 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Coachella Valley’s most prolific grocery chain has cut its Thanksgiving hours to 5:00 p.m. this year. All departments in the store will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., though store clerks recommend calling ahead for items like meat orders.
Cárdenas Markets — 6 am to 8 pm
The Hispanic store’s three Coachella Valley locations have some of the best Thanksgiving hours for last-minute shopping. All departments will be open from 6 am to 8 pm for the holiday.
Vallarta Supermarkets — 7 am to 6 pm
This specialty Latino supermarket is open from 7 am to 6 pm on Thanksgiving. Some departments, like the kitchen, will close around 4 p.m., according to store associates, while others, like the meat department, will close around 5 p.m.
The Super — 7 am to 10 pm
This Hispanic grocer’s location in Indio has some of the best Thanksgiving hours in the Coachella Valley. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to store associates, with most departments like meats and bakery closing around 7 p.m.
Jensen’s Best Foods — 7 am to 4 pm
The small supermarket chain’s two Coachella Valley locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, including all specialty departments.
Whole Foods Market: 7 am to 3 pm
The Palm Desert location of the Amazon-owned supermarket will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The store’s restaurant, The Barn Door Tap Room, will be closed for the holidays.
Smart and Final — 6 am to 5 pm
The warehouse-style grocery store’s three Coachella Valley locations (RIP Smart and Final Palm Desert; you’ll be missed) will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
Sprout Farmers Market: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Natural and organic food enthusiasts should do their last-minute shopping in the early evening at Sprouts’ only Coachella Valley location in La Quinta. The store, including all departments, will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving, according to store staff.
Gelson’s: 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Rancho Mirage location of the high-end grocery store will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on turkey day, including all departments.
Bristol Farms — 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those in the market for “gourmet” groceries and to experience “Retail Theatre” (we’re not entirely sure what that means, either) are in luck. Bristol Farms’ Palm Desert location will be open from 6 am to 7 pm on Thanksgiving Day.
Walmart, Costco and Target — Closed
Despite their typical all-weather availability, Walmart and Target will be closed on Thanksgiving for the third year in a row after kicking off the practice amid the pandemic in 2020. Costco, consistent with longstanding practice, is also will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. day.
James B. Cutchin covers businesses in the Coachella Valley. Contact him at [email protected]