Happy holidays.
The holidays are approaching fast, which means many stores, restaurants and venues will be closing their doors on Christmas. But plenty will still be open for you to catch a movie, buy a last-minute gift or grab a quick bite to eat — not to mention see some animals or go for an roller-coaster ride, depending where you are. If you’re out and about on the holiday, you can visit these places.
SeaWorld Entertainment (ticker: SEAS)
How do you make the holiday season go by swimmingly? A trip to SeaWorld could do the trick. The company’s stock recently ticked up last week following the announcement of its first theme park sans orca whales, reports Zacks.
Walt Disney Co. (DIS)
A dream is a wish your heart makes — so you’re in for a treat if you wished to visit Disneyland or Disney World on Christmas Day. Its quarterly earnings are rising, though its stock is about flat on the year.
CVS Health Corp. (CVS)
Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) and Target Corp. (TGT) locations are closed, but CVS could be your go-to retailer for some quick holiday items, especially if you forgot to get a gift for a certain someone. CVS stock is down more than 18 percent on the year.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)
Like CVS, Walgreens is another option for a last-minute shopping trip. The company is one of the 25 best blue-chip stocks to buy for 2017, ahead of its impending acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) in the first quarter. Walgreens recently announced that after the sale clears, it will sell 865 of the Rite Aid stores to Fred’s (FRED).
Denny’s Corp. (DENN)
Maybe that family time is just too much for you to handle this year. Or maybe your uncle burned the holiday ham again. Regardless, Denny’s could serve up some necessary holiday sustenance. Its stock is up more than 31 percent this year.
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX)
You won’t have to go without that peppermint mocha latte on Christmas. The company is currently bracing for a CEO change, not to mention eyeing more expensive coffee options in new upscale locations.
Papa John’s International (PZZA)
Maybe it’s not a traditional Christmas meal, but going out for pizza could be yet another Plan B if your holiday dinner goes sour. Papa John’s stock is up more than 60 percent in 2016.
DineEquity (DIN)
DineEquity-owned IHOP Restaurants will be open on Christmas, according to a spokeswoman, though people should confirm hours at specific locations. While the majority of the company’s Applebee’s restaurants won’t be open, the Times Square restaurant in New York will maintain its typical schedule. DineEquity stock is down more than 6 percent this year.
Hit the movies.
You can trade in those Christmas cookies for movie theater snacks. Christmas is a perfect day to catch up on the best movies of the year, considering timely wide releases as awards season heats up. Theaters owned by Carmike Cinemas (CKEC), AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC), Cinemark Holdings (CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (RGC) and IMAX Corp. (IMAX), among others, will be open.
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These Businesses Are Open on Christmas originally appeared on usnews.com
