Are Denny’s and IHOP Open on Thanksgiving 2026? Hours Guide
Yes, Denny’s and IHOP are both expected to be open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026, but hours differ by location. Neither chain has published 2026 Thanksgiving hours yet, so this guide uses what was reported for Thanksgiving 2025 and labels it as last year’s pattern. Check your local restaurant in the chain’s app or store locator before you go.
Is Denny’s open on Thanksgiving?
Denny’s was open on Thanksgiving Day in 2025, but not every location ran 24 hours. News reports from that year said the chain opened nationwide, with some diners keeping shorter hours. The same pattern is likely in 2026, but it is not confirmed yet.
Denny’s is known as a 24-hour diner, and a trade magazine has described it as keeping its doors open around the clock, including Christmas Day. In practice, franchise owners set their own schedules. A busy highway location may stay open all night, while a quieter one may close early or open late. See the Denny’s menu with prices for what you can order once you find an open location.
Is IHOP open on Thanksgiving?
IHOP was open on Thanksgiving Day in 2025, with hours that varied by location. Reports from that year gave no single chain-wide schedule, and they told guests to call their local restaurant. The same advice applies for 2026.
IHOP is run mostly by franchise owners, so opening and closing times are set store by store. Some restaurants may open later than usual or close earlier in the evening. Our IHOP menu with prices lists the standard pancakes, omelets and combos.
Denny’s vs IHOP holiday hours at a glance
Both chains were reported open on the main holidays in 2025, and both tell guests to check local hours. The table below shows what was reported last year. These are not confirmed 2026 hours.
| Holiday (2026 date) | Denny’s (2025 pattern) | IHOP (2025 pattern) |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, Thu Nov 26 | Open, but not all locations 24 hours | Open, hours vary by location |
| Black Friday, Fri Nov 27 | No special notice found; normal hours expected | No special notice found; normal hours expected |
| Christmas Eve, Thu Dec 24 | Open; check local dine-in hours | Open; generally 24/7, varies by location |
| Christmas Day, Fri Dec 25 | Open; check local dine-in hours | Open; generally 24/7, varies by location |
| New Year’s Day, Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Not confirmed; check locator | Not confirmed; check locator |
Denny’s Thanksgiving hours 2026
Denny’s has not announced Thanksgiving hours for 2026 as of November 3. Last year’s reports said it was open on Thanksgiving, with some locations on reduced hours. Because every restaurant can differ, the only reliable source is the Denny’s location page for your address.
Some websites list a 24-hour day or a daytime window for Thanksgiving. Treat those as estimates, since they do not come from the company. Plan for a possible early close, especially at non-24-hour locations.
IHOP Thanksgiving hours
IHOP has not posted a 2026 holiday schedule yet. In 2025, the chain was reported open, with times set by each restaurant. One aggregator mentioned a Thanksgiving meal starting at 11 a.m., but that came from a single roundup, so it is not confirmed.
If you want to dine out on the day, call the restaurant a day or two ahead. Hours can change, and some stores post holiday times only a few days before.
Holiday meals and specials
No official 2026 Thanksgiving meal, to-go bundle or seasonal pancake has been announced by Denny’s or IHOP. Some third-party sites list a Denny’s turkey dinner and seasonal pancakes, but no company announcement was found, so they are not confirmed. Ask your server or check the app for any holiday menu.
If you want a full turkey dinner, look at our list of Thanksgiving dinner to go options. Cracker Barrel is a well-known choice, and it was reported open on Thanksgiving in 2025. See the Cracker Barrel menu and our Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving guide for details.
Is IHOP open on Christmas? Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
IHOP was reported open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2025. It generally runs 24/7, but hours vary by location. Denny’s was also reported open on both days, with guests told to check its locator for dine-in hours.
For more options, see our guide to restaurants open on Christmas. Waffle House was also reported open on both days, with hours varying by location. Read the Waffle House Thanksgiving and Christmas hours and the Waffle House menu.
New Year’s Day and Black Friday
No reliable report was found for Denny’s or IHOP hours on New Year’s Day 2027 or Black Friday 2026. Both chains normally operate on regular schedules on non-holiday days, so Black Friday should be a normal day, but this is not confirmed. For New Year’s Day, check your local restaurant in late December.
Other breakfast chains for the holidays
If your nearest Denny’s or IHOP is closed, try other diners. Waffle House was reported open on Thanksgiving at most locations in 2025, with many open 24 hours. You can also check the Perkins menu and the Huddle House menu, but confirm that your local restaurant is open, because no holiday notice was found for them. Our full list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving is updated as chains announce plans.
How to check hours before you go
- Use the store locator on the chain’s website and open your exact restaurant page.
- Call the restaurant the day before, since holiday hours are often set late.
- Check the app or Google listing for a holiday hours notice.
- Have a backup plan in case the restaurant closes early.
Frequently asked questions
Is Denny’s open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Denny’s is expected to be open on Thursday, November 26, 2026, but this is not yet confirmed for 2026. In 2025 it was open, though not every location ran 24 hours. Check your local Denny’s page for exact hours.
Is IHOP open on Thanksgiving?
IHOP is expected to be open on Thanksgiving 2026, based on last year’s pattern. In 2025 it was open with hours that varied by location. Call your local restaurant to confirm.
What are Denny’s Thanksgiving hours 2026?
Denny’s has not published 2026 Thanksgiving hours yet. Last year, many locations stayed open and some used reduced hours. Use the Denny’s locator for your restaurant’s time.
What are IHOP Thanksgiving hours?
IHOP sets Thanksgiving hours by location, and no 2026 schedule has been announced. The chain was reported open in 2025 with varying times. Call ahead for the closing time.
Is IHOP open on Christmas?
IHOP was reported open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2025, and it generally operates 24/7, though hours vary by location. Treat this as last year’s pattern for 2026. Confirm with your local IHOP.
Is Denny’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Denny’s was open on both days in 2025, and the company told guests to check local dine-in hours. Christmas 2026 falls on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25. Confirm your location before going.
Do Denny’s or IHOP have a Thanksgiving meal or special in 2026?
No official 2026 Thanksgiving meal, to-go bundle or seasonal pancake was found for either chain. Some third-party sites list a Denny’s turkey dinner, but that is not confirmed. Ask your restaurant or check the app.
Are Denny’s and IHOP open on Black Friday and New Year’s Day?
No special Black Friday or New Year’s Day notice was found for either chain, so check local hours. Black Friday is November 27, 2026 and New Year’s Day is January 1, 2027. Look up your restaurant in late December.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
