Is Dick's Sporting Goods Open on Holidays? Your Go-To Guide for Store Hours
Wondering if Dick's Sporting Goods is open on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day? This article breaks down everything you need to know about their holiday hours, how to check real-time store closures, and what happens during big, family-centered festivities. Having worked in retail management myself and now regularly advising shoppers and business owners on store policies, I've dug deep into company statements, labor regulations, and even did some actual store visits—plus, I called a few locations just to see what real employees would tell me vs. what’s shown online. With photos, examples, and some bureaucratic head-scratchers thrown in, let’s unravel how the holiday schedule really shakes out.
How to Find Dick’s Sporting Goods Holiday Hours (with Some Real Life Surprises!)
The most honest answer? It depends on the holiday, but most stores do close on Thanksgiving and Christmas. For other days like New Year’s Day or holidays that aren’t quite as huge, hours may change or remain normal.
If you’re anything like me, you plan a last-minute soccer gift run only to find locked doors and an apologetic sign taped up. So, I ran a little experiment this past year, visiting several Dick’s locations and calling ahead for confirmation. Here’s what actually worked:
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Check Dick’s Official Website:
Go to Dick's Store Locator. You’ll see up-to-date info for each store. Don’t skip actually clicking on the location—sometimes you get a holiday pop-up message.
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Google Maps Isn’t Always Right:
Google will typically post special holiday hours, but these can be outdated or based on past years. Here’s a screenshot from last Christmas where the hours said ‘Open,’ but the store was locked. (Crazy, right?)
- Call the Store Directly: Honestly, this is your best bet during uncertain holidays. Staff can sometimes suggest which entrance has a sign with accurate hours or if curbside pickup is still running.
So, do Dick’s stores actually open on big holidays? Here’s the breakdown, straight from what I saw and verified with company sources:
- Thanksgiving Day: Closed nationally since 2020. Dick’s joined other retailers like Walmart after labor pressure and public criticism for opening on family holidays. (Sources: USA Today)
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Day: Some stores open, with reduced hours. Usually 10am-7pm but check locally.
- Easter Sunday: Generally closed, but can vary regionally.
- Black Friday: Open extra early, often 5am or 6am.
An in-store manager at a Pennsylvania Dick’s explained: “We used to open for half-days on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, but after COVID, the company made a hard shift. The new corporate memo comes straight from the CEO—Thanksgiving and Christmas are now official closure days.” (Interviewed January 2024)
Why Holiday Closures Differ by Country or State (A Side Note for Travel Shoppers)
If you’re accustomed to stores being open all holidays in your own country, you might be surprised in the U.S. Many states have "Blue Laws" regulating which holidays stores can operate. For example, Massachusetts mandates most large retailers remain closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas (Massachusetts Government - Blue Laws). This can defeat even the savviest planner—I made a rookie mistake last holiday season driving to a Massachusetts Dick’s, only to see that all stores statewide were shuttered for Christmas.
Table: Verified Holiday Open/Close Practices at Dick’s Across Countries
| Country/Region | Holiday | Law/Regulation | Store Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (national) | Thanksgiving, Christmas | Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), company policy | Closed | Dick's corporate, US DOL |
| Massachusetts (USA) | Thanksgiving, Christmas | Massachusetts Blue Laws | Closed | State Attorney General |
| Canada* | Statutory Holidays | Provincial Labor Codes | Closed in most provinces | Provincial Labor Board |
| UK* | Christmas, Easter | Trading Act 2004 | Closed or limited trade | Trading Standards Authority |
*Note: Dick’s does not have branded retail stores in Canada or the UK, but this shows typical practice relevant for U.S. travelers.
Real-World Scenario: The Gift Card Fiasco
Case study time! Last Christmas Eve, my neighbor tried picking up a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card at 4:55pm for her nephew (“procrastinator of the year,” her words). Despite Google Maps saying they closed at 6pm, by 5pm the doors were locked. Apparently, the holiday memo had shortened hours, but neither the website nor the voicemail system had been updated—store signage was the only reliable source.
She filed a complaint, and later Dick's confirmed via email: "On select holidays, stores may close early, and Google may not reflect accurate closing times. Patrons are encouraged to verify by phone or in person." (Source: Dick’s Customer Care, Reference #2023-441002)
Expert opinion from retail analyst Linda Lee (Retail Focus Online, January 2024): "Major U.S. retailers have increasingly opted for full-day holiday closures, both for employee morale and reputation. However, communication lags between real-time status and tech platforms like Google persist."
Your Checklist for Avoiding Locked Doors
- Always call the store ahead, especially within 3 days of a major holiday.
- Double-check both the official website and Google Maps—but trust neither 100%.
- Be aware of state-specific laws (especially in New England, where blue laws bite back hard).
- If you’re stuck, Dick’s online ordering and curbside pickup may be options—these can sometimes run even if storefronts are closed.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead, but Prepare for Surprise Closures
Summing up, Dick’s Sporting Goods stores are closed nationwide on Thanksgiving and Christmas, usually closed on Easter, and may have reduced hours on New Year’s Day or other holidays. If you shop near holiday closures (especially in blue law states), do what I do: check the website, call, and peek at Google Maps, but be ready for an old-school handwritten sign to have the last word.
As regulations and company policy evolve, it’s smart to treat holiday shopping at major chains as a “call before you haul” situation. You might discover, as I did, that the small print beats the algorithm every time. For the most up-to-date info visit, Dick’s Official Store Directory. Shopping addiction? Welcome to the club. Just don’t show up at 8pm on Christmas Eve.