22 Places Surprisingly Open on Christmas (Plus Popular Ones That Are Closed)

Not everyone stays home on Christmas Day in the U.S. even though it’s a major holiday for a wide variety of reasons. Or, even if you are dining at home on the 25th, your menu may not have come together until the very last minute, leaving you scrambling to get groceries.

So if you’re on a quest to go out to eat more or need last-minute cooking supplies, it’s helpful to know what stores and restaurants will be open on December 25. (A good rule of thumb is to call and check with your local outlet just to be sure.)

Editor’s note: Hours are always subject to change based on location.

Fans of this family-oriented restaurant can enjoy a special menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

It includes three three-course meals with either roast turkey, ham, or prime rib as the main. It comes with soup or salad, cornbread, and a slice of pumpkin pie.

Like its familiar friend Waffle House, Denny’s is open 365 days a year, and that includes Christmas Day. So you won’t go without your Grand Slam or Moons Over My Hammy fix.

Like many restaurants and shops, hours may be augmented, so be sure to plan accordingly.

IHOP is often open on December 25 as well, so going out for breakfast likely won’t be an issue regardless of what time of day it is; IHOP serves it at all times.

Once you’ve confirmed the hours with your local restaurant, you can have all the pancakes, waffles, and French toast you desire.

Although Red Lobster has been in the news for financial issues, the purveyor of affordable seafood and cheddar biscuits is open on December 24 and 25.

Hours may be limited at some locations, so the restaurant recommends making a reservation beforehand.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is known for being open 365 days a year, including all major holidays. You can be seated in the dining room or rent a private room for a group.

Their menus vary by location, but steak is sure to be on it to satiate your holiday appetite.

Huddle House promises to be whipping up its signature homestyle cooking on December 25, specifically classic dinners, big breakfasts, cake platters, and menu favorites.

It’s the busiest day of the year for Huddle House, so you’ll be in good company at any of their 300 restaurants.

Some TGI Fridays locations are open with augmented hours on Christmas Day for folks hankering for a cold beer and a steaming basket of chicken wings.

You can also expect their signature loaded potato skins to be on the menu, a dish they claim as an in-house creation.

In general, Starbucks opens its doors on Christmas Day in select locations, so there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be able to find one for your frappuccino fix.

If indeed your neighborhood Starbucks is open, the standard menu should be available, including all beverages and noshes.

Dunkin’ historically has left the lights on when December 25 rolls around, so you can likely get your daily latte and donut without a fuss.

On your way out, don’t forget to grab some sweets to share when you get back home for a tasty Christmas treat.

While you’ll want to confirm with your local CVS store for specifics, the chain has announced that many stores will be open Christmas Day, but may have adjusted hours.

You’ll want to double check to see if the pharmacy is open on December 25, as they may be closed even if the store isn’t.

If historical precedent is applicable here, and it likely is, many Walgreens stores will turn the lights on when Christmas Day arrives this year.

Similar to CVS, you’ll want to verify if the pharmacy at your location will be operational as well.

According to company policy, all Target stores will be closed on December 25. On Christmas Eve, operating hours will be 7 am to 8 pm.

Likewise, Walmart will also be closed on Christmas Day. It will, however, be open on December 24 from 6 am to 6 pm for that inevitable last-minute holiday shopping.

While most major grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Costco are closed on Christmas Day, some do stay open, so you’re not out of luck.

The list includes Bravo Supermarkets (7 am to 5 pm), Giant Foods (8 am to 5 pm in many locations), Albertsons (TBD), ShopRite (TBD), Vons (TBD), and Safeway (TBD).

If you’re having a Big Mac attack on Christmas Day, odds are that you can find a McDonald’s that’s open, but it depends on the location, so again, check ahead.

The same applies for Burger King, Del Taco, and Wendy’s. Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, are closed for sure on December 25.

You can usually count on WaWa to be open on December 25, though hours may be augmented.

The same likely holds true for 7-Eleven, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, Pilot Flying J, QuickChek, Sheetz, Speedway, and Weigel’s. Buc-ee’s, however, is a sure bet — they never close.

Staying home and offline is a surefire way to avoid wasting your money on Christmas Day. However, some folks have their own special traditions on that day, whether it’s a coffee run, brunch with friends, or a solo trek to a fancy dinner.

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of places you can still head to on the 25th. Just remember, to always make sure to double check the hours of shops in your specific area before heading out.