Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, is the last reliable day to dine out before the holiday, but availability varies widely, depending on the chain, whether a location is company-owned or franchised, and whether it sits inside an airport, mall or hotel. Generally, diners and 24/7 chains stay open, many national chains operate reduced hours, and corporate-owned or travel-focused outlets keep the widest schedules.
Quick takeaway: who you can usually count on
- Waffle House, and similar 24/7 diners, are typically open on Christmas Eve, and many stay open through the night.
- Denny’s and IHOP commonly operate on Christmas Eve with normal or slightly reduced hours, and many locations remain open late.
- Coffee chains, like Starbucks and Dunkin’, generally have many stores open on Christmas Eve, but hours are shortened and licensed locations follow the host venue.
- Fast-food chains vary by franchise; McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s often have many locations open on Christmas Eve, but exact times depend on individual owners.
- Sit-down national chains such as Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel and many casual-dining brands often close early on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day.
Practical rule: if a restaurant is in an airport, highway travel plaza, or a large tourist area, it is more likely to be open late on Christmas Eve and sometimes on Christmas Day.
The map of typical chain behavior on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Chain or type | Typical Christmas Eve status | Typical Christmas Day status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Waffle House and 24/7 diners | Open, normal hours | Open (most locations) | 24/7 model makes them the most reliable option |
Denny’s, IHOP | Open, often regular or reduced hours | Many locations open (varies) | Franchise model, check local listing |
Starbucks, Dunkin’ | Many open, reduced hours | Select locations open, mainly airports and hotels | Licensed locations follow host venue hours |
Fast-food chains (McDonald’s, BK, Wendy’s) | Many open, early close possible | Some locations open, highly variable | Franchise decisions drive hours |
Chick-fil-A | Open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours | Closed on Christmas Day | Corporate policy: closed on key holidays |
Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Outback, Darden brands | Open on Christmas Eve, often close early | Closed on Christmas Day | Corporate closures common for Dec 25 |
Hotel restaurants, airport concessions | Often open, normal or reduced hours | Many remain open | Serve travelers and hotel guests |
Convenience stores and travel centers (7‑Eleven, Wawa, Pilot) | Open, normal hours | Open, normal hours | Reliable for snacks and coffee |
Multiple viewpoints and why hours differ
Operators and franchise owners
- Franchise owners weigh staff availability, local demand and profitability when choosing holiday hours, which explains the patchwork of openings across a brand. Many fast-food locations are locally owned, and hours reflect community needs and staffing.
Corporate policy and employee time off
- Some national brands adopt a uniform holiday closure to give employees time with family, which is common among sit-down chains. Other companies provide flexibility so local managers or franchisees can set hours, particularly at travel-focused sites.
Customer and traveler perspective
- Travelers and those who do not celebrate the holiday rely on airport concessions, hotel restaurants and 24/7 diners. For families who want to eat out earlier on Dec 24, many chain restaurants keep normal lunch and early dinner service, but expect early closing times.
Labor and community advocates
- Advocates for restaurant workers note that holiday closures can protect staff time off, while staggered hours and early closings can create scheduling pressure. Companies balance customer demand with the practical need to let employees be with family.
If you need a meal on Christmas Eve or the holiday itself, your safest bets are 24/7 diners, airport and hotel restaurants, and convenience stores, but always call ahead or check the app before you go.
How to plan, step by step
- Check the brand’s official locator before you go, because hours often vary by site, especially on holidays.
- Use apps: the restaurant’s own app, Google Maps, and delivery platforms often show holiday adjustments, but confirm by phone when in doubt.
- For sit-down plans on Christmas Eve, make reservations where available, because many places shorten service and fill early.
- If you are traveling, aim for airports or interstate travel centers where food service is more likely to be available late into the evening.
Chains and venue types worth noting
- Waffle House: a national go-to for holiday meals, known for a near-universal 24/7 schedule.
- Denny’s and IHOP: long been reliable on holidays, with many locations open on Christmas Eve and some open on Christmas Day.
- Starbucks and Dunkin’: expect reduced hours, and remember that mall, grocery, or Target Starbucks locations follow the host store’s hours.
- Chick-fil-A and many casual-dining chains: typically open on Dec 24 with early closing, but closed on Dec 25.
- Airport and hotel restaurants: often the most consistent option for late or holiday-day service.
A short checklist before you leave the house
- Call the local restaurant, or check the chain app and the store locator.
- If heading to a mall or grocery-anchored location, check the mall or host store hours as the restaurant may close when the mall closes.
- For large gatherings, consider ordering ahead or arranging pick-up on Dec 24 to avoid sold out items and long lines.
Final notes and context
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, is the day when most restaurants try to serve last-minute diners, but many will shorten hours to allow staff to be with family. By contrast, Christmas Day is far more limited, so if you need a reliable meal on Dec 24, plan for earlier service, call ahead, and favor travel-focused outlets, diners, and 24/7 spots.
If you would like, I can look up exact hours for specific restaurants near your ZIP code, or compile a short list of open options in your city for December 24 and December 25, 2025.