Christmas in the US isn't just about carols and cocoa anymore; here's everything you need to know about the store-hours panic, weather alerts, NORAD Santa tracking, and the Steam outage.
Christmas is a cultural event worldwide, but in the United States, it is a dreamy spectacle. From mid-December, there is a spike in Christmas-related trends, and no matter how closely people track store hours, last-minute shopping always peaks on Christmas Eve as millions of Americans prepare for the big day. Whether we look online or on the streets, we see people rushing to finalise plans for family get-togethers.
However, this time around, unpredictable winter weather updates and modern disruptions, such as gaming outages, have added urgency to Christmas Eve, which was already filled with excitement. This year, Christmas Eve in the United States is unfolding as people search for information on what’s open, what’s closed, what to watch, how to entertain kids, and how weather conditions might impact their plans. Here’s a complete breakdown of the most-searched trending topics in the US on Christmas Eve 2025.
Just like every year, 2025 Christmas Eve is seeing a spike in searches for store hours. Due to their professional and personal commitments, so many Americans rely on last-minute grocery runs, gift purchases, and pharmacy visits. Major retailers such as Dollar General, CVS, and Walmart dominate search results as people look for their exact opening and closing times.
Walmart locations have stayed open on Christmas Eve, typically closing around 6 PM local time. While most of the target stores close by 8 PM, Costco locations close earlier, around 5 PM. For last-minute essentials, people preferred Dollar General because it stayed open later in the evening, when big-box stores were closed.
A major spike in searches for CVS Christmas Eve hours is evident on Google Trends, as Americans seek medical essentials, prescriptions, and convenience items. While most CVS locations remained open on Christmas, pharmacy counters closed earlier than the front stores in several major regions. Many pharmacies, including Walgreens, have preferred this strategy, while convenience stores like 7-Eleven remain open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Adding the much-needed flair of excitement and fun to Christmas, the NORAD Santa Tracker has remained live throughout Christmas Eve. The North American Aerospace Defense Command has enabled children to track Santa Claus’ journey from around the world in real time. The use of technology in such a creative way to keep children entertained during Christmas is generating significant buzz online. Alongside the viral Santa Claus tracking system, we also have NORAD Santa Calls, which allows children to hear recorded messages from Santa himself. The creative tools are not just keeping the kids entertained; even the grown-ups are finding them interesting and fun.
A large number of people have canceled outdoor plans and shifted their focus indoors, with movie night topping their list. We have already seen a significant spike in searches for Elf, White Christmas, and other iconic holiday classics. Movies like A Merry Little Ex-Mas, A Royal Montana Christmas, My Secret Santa, and Champagne Problem are also attracting viewers. However, it’s true that Elf and White Christmas are likely to be among the most-watched movies on Christmas this year.
Regarding weather predictions for Christmas Day, there are concerns about freezing rain and light snow alerts across parts of the US. As a result, people are advised to conduct last-minute weather checks to ensure their safety. Although there aren’t severe disruptions, mild winter conditions in specific areas may affect people’s plans. Thus, it’s important to check the weather before going out with your family on Christmas.
On this year’s Christmas Eve, we witnessed widespread outrage online against Steam after the gaming platform went offline, leaving gamers furious. From downloads to online play and logins, gamers shared their frustrations with Steam on social media. As we all know, for younger kids, gaming is a core part of the Christmas holidays, so they were fuming when Steam went down. As we approach the big day, we hope everyone has a great Christmas Day celebration with their family and loved ones.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.
Also Read: 10 Locations From Iconic Christmas Movies That You Can Actually Visit: 'Home Alone' To 'The Holiday'