does amazon work on thanksgiving

As the holiday season kicks into gear, you might find yourself wondering about your favorite online stores. With family gatherings and festive meals planned, it’s natural to question when things are open. If you’re counting on Amazon for last-minute ingredients, a forgotten gift, or just some post-feast shopping, you’re likely asking: does Amazon work on Thanksgiving?

The simple answer is yes, but your experience might look a little different than on a typical day. Amazon’s digital doors are always open, making it a reliable resource even when traditional brick-and-mortar stores are closed. Let’s look at how their services operate during this holiday.

What to Expect from Amazon’s Services on Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, the Amazon website and mobile app are fully operational. You can browse millions of items, place orders, and stream movies and shows without any interruption. Your virtual shopping cart doesn’t take a day off. However, the physical side of the business does slow down. Most of Amazon’s warehouse and delivery staff have the day off to celebrate with their families. This means that while you can order anything you like, it likely won’t ship out until the following day, Friday.

Will Your Packages Arrive on the Holiday?

For the vast majority of customers, package delivery is paused on Thanksgiving. National carriers like USPS and UPS do not make deliveries, and Amazon’s own delivery network also stands down for the holiday. It’s a well-deserved break for the countless workers who make our convenient shopping possible. If you were hoping for a Thanksgiving delivery, it’s best to plan your purchases well in advance of the holiday week.

Planning Your Holiday Shopping with Amazon

Even though shipping pauses, Thanksgiving can be a great time to shop. This is often when early Black Friday deals go live on the site. You can secure fantastic discounts from the comfort of your couch, perhaps while digesting a big meal. Your items will be processed and shipped as soon as operations resume, often getting them on their way to you faster than orders placed during the Friday rush.

So, while the trucks may not be rolling on Thanksgiving Day itself, Amazon is very much open for business. It’s a perfect opportunity to get a head start on gift-giving season at your own pace, all while knowing the company is giving its employees a much-needed holiday.