What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas? (2026 Guide)
Restaurants open on Christmas Day are fewer than on a normal Friday, but you still have choices. Last year, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Denny’s, IHOP and Waffle House were among the chains reported open. Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Olive Garden and In-N-Out were closed. Christmas Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 24, and Christmas Day is Friday, December 25.
Chains have not announced their 2026 holiday hours yet. The table below shows what happened in 2025, so treat it as last year’s pattern, not a promise for this year. Check the app or store locator in the week of Christmas. If you want to see what a chain sells before you go, start with our McDonald’s menu with prices page.
What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas? Chain Table (2025 Pattern)
| Chain | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Hours vary by store. Use the app or locator. |
| Burger King | Not reported | Open at most locations | Franchise run, so hours differ. |
| Wendy’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Check the app first. |
| Starbucks | Not reported | Open at most locations | Many stores run short hours. Licensed stores follow the host store. |
| Dunkin’ | Not reported | Open at most locations | Hours vary by store. |
| Arby’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Confirm your store. |
| Jack in the Box | Not reported | Open at most locations | Confirm the drive-thru is running. |
| Domino’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Independently owned stores. |
| Denny’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Known for holiday service. |
| IHOP | Not reported | Open at most locations | Hours vary. |
| Waffle House | Not reported | Open at most locations | Famous for staying open. |
| Applebee’s | Not reported | Open at most locations | Call ahead for dine-in. |
| Red Lobster | Not reported | Open at most locations | Call ahead. |
| Qdoba | Not reported | Open at most locations | Confirm hours. |
| KFC | Not reported | Confirm locally | The chain asked guests to check with their store. |
| Panera Bread | Not reported | Confirm locally | The chain asked guests to check with their store. |
| Noodles & Company | Not reported | Confirm locally | The chain asked guests to check with their store. |
| Chick-fil-A | Limited hours possible | Closed | Closed every Christmas Day in the report. |
| Taco Bell | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| Olive Garden | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| Culver’s | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| In-N-Out | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| Raising Cane’s | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| Jersey Mike’s | Limited hours possible | Closed | Check Christmas Eve hours. |
| Dairy Queen | Limited hours at some stores | Closed at some stores | Mostly independent owners. |
| Chipotle | Most close at 3 p.m. | Closed | Local time. |
| Cracker Barrel | Closes at 2 p.m. | Closed | Local time. |
The 2025 list came from a national news report. It said most locations of the open chains served guests on Christmas Day, but hours vary. Most of the report did not describe Christmas Eve hours for the open chains, so we marked those as not reported. The closed chains were listed as open on Christmas Eve, sometimes with limited hours.
Fast Food Open on Christmas
Burger chains are the safest first stop. In 2025 the reports named McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s and Jack in the Box as open. See the Burger King menu and the Wendy’s menu before you order. Many of these restaurants are franchise owned, so a store near you may close early or skip the dining room.
Is McDonald’s open on Christmas? At most locations, yes, in the 2025 report. Each owner sets the hours, so use the restaurant locator or app to see your store. Some stores have a drive-thru only.
Restaurants Open Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is easier. Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Olive Garden, Culver’s, In-N-Out, Raising Cane’s and Jersey Mike’s were reported open, sometimes with limited hours, before closing for Christmas. Chipotle stores mostly closed at 3 p.m. local time and Cracker Barrel stores at 2 p.m. If you want a favorite from one of these chains, plan for Thursday. Our Chick-fil-A menu and Taco Bell menu pages help you choose ahead.
Chains That Closed on Christmas Day
These chains were reported closed on December 25 last year: Chick-fil-A, Culver’s, In-N-Out, Jersey Mike’s, Olive Garden, Raising Cane’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Taco Bell, Chipotle and Cracker Barrel. Some Dairy Queen stores also closed. We cannot confirm that every one will repeat this in 2026, but the pattern is long standing, so do not plan a Christmas dinner around them. Look at the Olive Garden menu for your own Christmas Eve plans.
Christmas Day Restaurants Near Me: How to Check
- Open the chain’s app and pick your nearest store.
- Use the store locator and look for Christmas Day hours, which often appear a few days before.
- Call the store if the listing shows only normal hours.
- Check if the drive-thru is open when the dining room is closed.
- Order ahead in the app when possible, since lines can be long.
Stores inside malls, grocery stores and hotels follow the host building. Airport and highway locations are often open when street stores are not. Most gas stations and convenience stores also stay open, which helps if a restaurant is closed.
Tips for a Christmas Meal Out
- Eat early. Short staffing can mean early closing.
- Call a sit-down restaurant such as Denny’s or IHOP before you go, and ask about wait times. See the Denny’s menu for the usual choices.
- Coffee fans can check the Starbucks menu and the app for open stores.
- Have a backup plan if your first pick is closed.
Holiday menus can also change. If you are planning Thanksgiving first, see our guide to restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
Frequently asked questions
What restaurants are open on Christmas Day?
In 2025 the reported list included McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Denny’s, IHOP, Waffle House, Applebee’s and Red Lobster. 2026 hours are not announced yet, so check your store.
Is McDonald’s open on Christmas?
Most McDonald’s locations were open on Christmas Day 2025. Hours vary because owners set them, so use the app or locator for your store.
Is fast food open on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Most chains are open, though some close early. Chipotle mostly closed at 3 p.m. and Cracker Barrel at 2 p.m. last year.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas?
No. Chick-fil-A was closed on Christmas Day in the 2025 report. Many stores were open on Christmas Eve, sometimes with limited hours.
How do I find Christmas Day restaurants near me?
Use the chain’s app or store locator, then call if the hours look unclear. Holiday hours often appear a few days before December 25.
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.
