Are Car Dealerships Open On Thanksgiving

If you’re hoping to visit a showroom on Thanksgiving, you’ll find the vast majority observing the holiday. The direct answer to “are car dealerships open on thanksgiving” is almost always no. This major national holiday is a time for employees to be with their families, meaning dealerships from large national chains to local family-owned lots will typically be closed.

This guide provides a complete overview of what you can expect, how to plan around the closure, and the few exceptions that might exist. We’ll also cover the days surrounding Thanksgiving, which are often some of the best times of the year to car shop.

Car dealerships are almost universally closed on Thanksgiving Day. This includes every department: sales, service, parts, and finance. The closure is consistent across all 50 states and applies to both new and used vehicle dealerships.

Thanksgiving is considered one of the few “guaranteed” holidays off in the automotive retail industry. Unlike holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day, which are major sales events, Thanksgiving is purely a family and rest day for dealership staff. It’s important to respect this closure and plan your car shopping activities for other times.

Why Dealerships Close On Thanksgiving

Several key factors explain the industry-wide shutdown on this perticular holiday.

Family Time: Dealerships are often family-run businesses or employ many local residents. Giving staff this day off is a standard practice.
Low Customer Demand: Very few people plan to test drive or buy a car on Thanksgiving. It’s not cost-effective for a dealership to operate.
National Holiday Status: As a federal holiday, banks and financial institutions are also closed. This makes finalizing auto loans or transactions impossible.
Logistical Halt: Vehicle transport companies and auction houses are also closed, so the entire supply chain takes a pause.

Possible Exceptions To The Rule

While exceedingly rare, there are two potential exceptions, though you should not count on them.

Private Sellers: An individual selling their own car might be available for a meeting, but this is not a dealership transaction.
Emergency Service: Some dealerships with attached collision centers might have an on-call mechanic for extreme emergencies, but this would not involve sales.

For all practical purposes, you should operate under the assumption that no car dealerships are open for sales on Thanksgiving Day.

How To Verify Holiday Hours

Always confirm a dealership’s hours before visiting on or around a holiday. Here are the best methods.

Check the Dealership Website: Look for a “Hours” or “Contact” page. Holiday hour announcements are usually posted prominently.
Use Google My Business: Search for the dealership on Google. The listing often shows special hours for holidays, marked in red.
Call Directly: Phone the dealership in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. A recorded message or receptionist can provide the schedule.
Review Social Media: Dealerships often post holiday closure notices on their Facebook or Instagram pages.

Strategic Shopping Around Thanksgiving

While the day itself is closed, the Thanksgiving weekend is a legendary time for car deals. Planning your approach can lead to significant savings.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Wednesday is often a half-day or a full but short-staffed day. Salespeople are motivated to close deals before the holiday break, which can work in your favor. However, be mindful that staff may be distracted with holiday plans. It’s best to arrive early if you plan to shop on Wednesday.

Black Friday At Car Dealerships

Black Friday is one of the biggest car sales days of the year. Dealerships reopen with major promotions, clearance events on last year’s models, and special financing offers. Expect lots to be busy, so schedule a test drive appointment if possible. Be prepared for high-pressure tactics, as sales teams have monthly quotas to meet.

Small Business Saturday And Beyond

The deals continue through the weekend. Small Business Saturday might feature promotions from local, family-owned dealerships. Sunday hours vary by state, but if open, it can be a slightly less hectic day to negotiate. Cyber Monday now also includes special online offers, like reserved bonuses or exclusive internet pricing for vehicles.

Tips for Navigating Thanksgiving Weekend Sales

Get pre-approved for financing from your bank or credit union before you go. This gives you a bargaining baseline.
Research specific models and fair prices online, so you know a good deal when you see it.
Focus on outgoin model year clearance. Dealers need to move these to make room for new inventory.
Be ready to walk away if the deal isn’t right. The end of the month and year brings more pressure on the dealer, not just you.

Alternative Ways to Car Shop on Thanksgiving Day

Just because the showrooms are closed doesn’t mean your car search has to stop completely. Use the downtime to advance your purchase process.

Online Research And Inventory Browsing

Every major dealership and manufacturer website is accessible 24/7. Use Thanksgiving day to deeply research.

Build and price your desired vehicle on the manufacturer’s website.
Browse local dealer inventories to see exact stock, features, and photos.
Read professional and customer reviews for models you’re considering.
Use third-party sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to confirm fair market value and ratings.

Starting The Financing Process

While you can’t finalize a loan, you can get everything ready.

Check your credit score through a free service.
Fill out online pre-approval forms with your bank or online lenders. You’ll often get a response the next business day.
Calculate your budget, including a down payment and estimated monthly payments.
Gather necessary documents like proof of insurance, income, and residency.

Contacting Dealerships For The Next Day

You can initiate contact that will be addressed on Black Friday.

Use the online contact form on a dealership’s website to inquire about a specific vehicle. They will likely respond first thing Friday morning.
Send an email to the internet sales manager with your target model and questions.
Save listings of interesting cars to your favorites list for quick reference when you visit.

Holiday Schedules for Other Dealership Departments

Understanding the schedule for service and parts is also crucial if you need maintenance or repairs.

Service Center Hours

Dealership service centers follow the same closure as sales. They are closed on Thanksgiving Day. They may also close early on Wednesday and have modified hours on Black Friday, often reopening for normal business. Always call ahead for service appointments during holiday weeks, as they can book up quickly.

Parts Department Availability

The parts department will be closed on Thanksgiving. If you need a part urgently, your options are limited to retail auto parts stores, which may have reduced hours, or waiting until Friday. Some dealerships allow you to order parts online for pickup later, which can be a convenient option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Any Car Dealerships Open On Thanksgiving Day?

It is extremely unlikely. For all practical purposes, you should plan on every franchised new and used car dealership being closed for the entire Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Are Used Car Lots Open On Thanksgiving?

Yes, used car dealerships, including major chains and independent lots, are also closed on Thanksgiving. They adhere to the same national holiday schedule.

Can I Buy A Car Online On Thanksgiving?

You can configure a vehicle, browse inventory, and even initiate a purchase process on a dealership’s website. However, because staff is offline and banks are closed, no transaction can be finalized until the next business day, typically Black Friday.

What Time Do Dealerships Close On The Day Before Thanksgiving?

Closing times on Wednesday vary widely. Many close early, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time. You must check with the specific dealership for their exact hours that day.

Are Car Dealerships Open The Friday After Thanksgiving?

Yes, Black Friday is a major sales day. Almost all dealerships reopen with normal or extended hours, offering significant promotions and sales events.

Planning Your Visit Effectively

With all this information, you can create a smart plan for your Thanksgiving weekend car purchase.

Create A Timeline For Your Purchase

Week Before: Complete your online research, get pre-approved for financing, and identify 2-3 target vehicles.
Thanksgiving Day: Use the time for final comparisons and preparing your documents.
Black Friday: Visit dealerships early, test drive your top choices, and be ready to negotiate using your prepared research.
Weekend Follow-Up: If you don’t buy Friday, use Saturday and Sunday to compare final offers and make your decision.

Final Checklist Before Heading To The Dealership

Driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Financing pre-approval letter (if applicable).
List of target vehicles with Stock Numbers.
Notes on fair market price and competitor offers.
A clear budget and willingness to stick to it.

While the answer to “are car dealerships open on thanksgiving” is a definitive no, the surrounding period offers a prime opportunity. By using the holiday for preparation, you can walk onto the lot on Black Friday informed, ready, and positioned to secure a excellent deal on your next vehicle. Remember to confirm all hours in advance, as holiday schedules can sometimes vary slightly by location and dealership group. With a little planning, you can combine holiday relaxation with a successful car-buying mission.