Milwaukee grocery store hours for New Year's 2025-2026

Planning your grocery shopping around the New Year's holiday in Milwaukee?

The good news is that most major grocery stores will remain open on both December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026—though several notable chains close entirely on New Year's Day. This comprehensive guide covers every major grocery option in the greater Milwaukee area, from Shorewood to Mequon to West Allis, so you can plan your shopping accordingly.

The most important thing to know: Trader Joe's, ALDI, Costco, and Sam's Club will all be closed on New Year's Day, while Meijer, Walmart, Pick 'n Save, and most markets offer the best availability throughout the holiday weekend. Pharmacies at most locations will be closed or operating reduced hours on January 1st, so fill prescriptions in advance.

Stores open both days with minimal restrictions

Several chains maintain robust holiday hours, making them your most reliable options for last-minute shopping needs.

Meijer stands out as the most accessible option, with seven Milwaukee-area locations (Greenfield, Wauwatosa, Oak Creek, Waukesha, Grafton, Pewaukee, and West Bend) operating from 6am to 8pm on New Year's Eve and returning to full 6am to midnight hours on New Year's Day. No membership required, and the stores offer full grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise departments.

Walmart Supercenters maintain regular business hours on both days, typically 6am to 11pm (though several Milwaukee locations close at 9:30pm, including the 27th Street, Greenfield Ave, and Capitol Drive stores). Walmart confirmed to major outlets that stores will operate during normal business hours on both holidays. Note that Walmart no longer operates any 24-hour locations—this changed in 2020 and has not returned. Pharmacy availability on New Year's Day is uncertain; calling ahead is recommended.

Pick 'n Save (Kroger-owned) remains open 6am to 10pm on both days at most locations. Pharmacies close at 5pm on New Year's Eve and are closed entirely on New Year's Day.

Metro Market follows similar hours as its Kroger sibling, operating 6am to 9pm on New Year's Eve and 7am to 11pm on New Year's Day, with pharmacy closed on January 1st. Locations in Milwaukee, Brookfield, Madison, and Mequon all follow this pattern.

Festival Foods offers some of the longest hours among regional chains at 6am to 11pm (some locations 6am to 10pm) on both holidays. This Wisconsin-based chain only closes on Christmas Day.

Stores with significant New Year's Day closures

Trader Joe's closes early on New Year's Eve (8am to 5pm) and is completely closed on New Year's Day—this is a firm company-wide policy. Both Milwaukee-area locations (Glendale on Port Washington Road and Brookfield on Bluemound Road) follow this schedule.

ALDI operates limited hours on New Year's Eve (approximately 9am to 6pm) and is closed all day on New Year's Day. This is one of ALDI's four annual closures alongside Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Costco (Menomonee Falls and Grafton locations) opens 8:30am to 5pm or 9am to 6pm on New Year's Eve but is closed entirely on New Year's Day. New Year's Day is one of Costco's seven annual closures. Pharmacy follows the same schedule.

Sam's Club (Milwaukee, Waukesha, West Allis, and Franklin locations) operates 9am to 8pm on New Year's Eve (Plus Members get early access at 8am) but is closed on New Year's Day. This remains one of Sam's Club's only four annual closures.

Specialty and natural foods stores

Whole Foods Market operates modified hours at both Milwaukee locations (Prospect Avenue and Wauwatosa Burleigh Street): 8am to 9pm on New Year's Eve and 9am to 8pm on New Year's Day. Hours may vary slightly by location—check the store locator for confirmation.

Fresh Thyme (Pleasant Street location in Milwaukee's North End) will be open, closing at 8pm on New Year's Eve and 9pm on New Year's Day. Regular hours are 7am to 9pm.

Outpost Natural Foods operates four Milwaukee-area locations (Mequon, Capitol Drive, Wauwatosa State Street, and Bay View). This local co-op does not publish specific New Year's hours online—contact your preferred location directly. Regular hours are typically 7am to 8pm.

Wisconsin's warehouse grocery: Woodman's

Woodman's operates on a unique schedule since it's normally open 24 hours. On New Year's Eve, most locations close early between 6pm and 8:50pm (Racine closes at 6pm, Kenosha at 8:50pm, Madison West at 7:45pm). The Oak Creek location (8131 S. Howell Ave) serves the Milwaukee area. Stores reopen at 9am on New Year's Day with gas stations operating 9am to 6:45pm. Woodman's only accepts cash, check, PIN debit, Discover, and EBT/WIC—no Visa or Mastercard.

Target closes early on New Year's Eve

Target stores throughout the Milwaukee metro (West Milwaukee, Chase Ave, West Allis, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa, Grafton, Greenfield, Franklin, Glendale, and Oak Creek) operate 8am to 9pm on New Year's Eve—closing two hours earlier than usual. New Year's Day returns to regular 8am to 10pm hours. Target pharmacies (operated by CVS) may have shortened hours or be closed on January 1st—call ahead for prescriptions.

Local chains with varying schedules

Sendik's Food Market, Milwaukee's beloved family-owned premium grocer since 1926, does not publish specific New Year's hours online. Based on Thanksgiving patterns (open 7am to 2pm), expect reduced hours on both holidays. The chain operates approximately 11 locations. Nehring's Sendik's on Downer Avenue operates independently and may have different hours—verify directly.

Piggly Wiggly hours vary significantly because locations are independently operated. Expect approximately 7am to 9pm on New Year's Eve and 8am to 6pm on New Year's Day, but call your specific location (Bayview, Sussex, Lake Geneva, or Union Grove) to confirm.

Ethnic and specialty markets offer flexible options

Many of Milwaukee's ethnic grocery stores remain open during Western holidays, serving communities whose major celebrations fall on different dates.

Asian markets typically stay open on both days. Pacific Produce (5455 S. 27th St and W. Appleton Ave) operates 9am to 9pm daily and will likely maintain regular or slightly reduced hours. Pan-Asia Supermarket (6910 W. Greenfield Ave in West Allis)—a large 36,000-square-foot store—operates 9am to 8pm and typically remains open. 5Xen Super Asian Market (N. 76th St), which includes a food court with nine family-owned kitchens, Viet Hoa Supermarket (W. North Ave), and Asian International Market (W. National Ave) all typically operate through Western holidays. Note: There is no H Mart or 99 Ranch in the Milwaukee area—the nearest locations are in the Chicago suburbs.

Hispanic markets serve communities where New Year's Day is traditionally a shopping day. El Rey Foods (multiple locations including Cesar E. Chavez Dr, Oklahoma Ave, and Burnham St) operates 7am to 8pm regularly and will likely remain open with possible early closing on New Year's Eve. Pete's Fruit Market (Union St and Bronzeville MLK Dr locations) advertises being "open 365 days a year"—making it a reliable option. Cermak Fresh Market (Miller Park Way and Barclay St) follows similar patterns, likely open with reduced hours similar to their Thanksgiving schedule.

European specialty stores may have more limited holiday availability. Parthenon Foods (W. Greenfield Ave in West Allis) notes "excluding holidays" for their regular hours—call ahead. Wioletta's Polish Market (S. Howell Ave) may be open New Year's Eve for Sylwester celebrations but could be closed New Year's Day. Glorioso's Italian Market (Brady Street) publishes specific holiday hours at gloriosos.com/holiday-hours.

Pharmacy hours require advance planning

Pharmacies follow different schedules than grocery departments—and most are closed or severely limited on New Year's Day:

• Kroger pharmacies (Pick 'n Save, Metro Market): Close at 5pm New Year's Eve, closed New Year's Day

• Walmart pharmacies: Conflicting reports—some sources indicate closed both days, others suggest limited hours. Call your location directly

• Target/CVS pharmacies: May have shortened hours or be closed January 1st

• Costco and Sam's Club pharmacies: Closed New Year's Day (stores closed)

• Meijer pharmacies: Hours vary by location—typically shorter than store hours

Fill any prescriptions by December 30th to avoid holiday complications.

Quick reference guide by status

Closed New Year's Day (shop December 31st):

• Trader Joe's

• ALDI

• Costco

• Sam's Club

Open both days with early NYE closing:

• Target (closes 9pm NYE)

• Woodman's (closes 6-8:50pm NYE, reopens 9am Jan 1)

Open both days, full or near-full hours:

• Meijer (best overall availability)

• Walmart

• Pick 'n Save

• Metro Market

• Festival Foods

• Whole Foods

• Fresh Thyme

• Pete's Fruit Market

• Most Asian grocery stores

Verify before visiting:

• Sendik's

• Piggly Wiggly

• Outpost Natural Foods

• European specialty markets

Planning your holiday shopping strategy

For stress-free New Year's shopping, consider this timeline. December 29-30: Stock up at warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, ALDI) and Trader Joe's since these will be closed January 1st. Fill all prescriptions. December 31st morning: Best time for fresh produce and last-minute items at any store—crowds increase as evening approaches. Target and some stores close early, so don't wait until evening. January 1st: Meijer, Walmart, and Pick 'n Save offer the most reliable availability. Ethnic markets provide excellent alternatives if you're near Milwaukee's south side or international corridors.

Hours listed are based on official 2024-2025 holiday schedules and corporate confirmations to major news outlets. Individual store hours may vary—using store locator tools or calling ahead 1-2 days before your visit ensures accuracy. Most chains finalize and publish specific holiday hours in mid-December, so checking official websites closer to the holiday is always wise.

Happy New Year, Milwaukee!