A beloved Italian restaurant chain has confirmed it will shut down all 949 of its U.S. locations on Christmas Day, giving employees time off for the holiday.
According to Olive Garden’s official holiday hours policy, the chain closes nationwide on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, regardless of location.
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No. Olive Garden has confirmed that all U.S. restaurants are closed on Christmas Day. The company says the closure is intended to allow team members to spend time with their families and friends.
Holiday hours may vary at international locations, including restaurants in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam.
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What About Olive Garden on Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve hours are not standardized nationwide.
Olive Garden notes that restaurants may close early on Christmas Eve, depending on the amount of business expected that day. The decision is left to the discretion of each local management team.
Customers planning to visit on Christmas Eve are encouraged to contact their local restaurant directly for that day’s closing time.
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The confirmation comes as casual dining chains continue to navigate shifting consumer behavior heading into 2026.
A recent Consumer Edge 2026 Restaurant Outlook found that U.S. restaurant spending has held steady through 2025, even as diners become more selective and increasingly value affordability and consistency over hype.
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According to the report, casual dining brands—including Olive Garden—saw steady growth in 2025, as middle-income consumers opted for affordable sit-down meals over higher-priced dining experiences.
“Today’s consumers have adapted to years of inflationary pressures, and the brands seeing real momentum in this industry are those that treat value as part of their DNA,” said Michael Gunther, Vice President and Head of Insights at Consumer Edge.
The report also found that diners across income levels are becoming more deliberate about where they spend, with grocery purchases continuing to take a larger share of household food budgets. As a result, the restaurant landscape has become increasingly polarized, with consumers either trading down for savings or trading up for atmosphere and experience. At the same time, casual dining has emerged as a steady winner, while some fast-casual brands have lost momentum as higher prices weighed on demand—underscoring how sharply value, reliability and familiarity are shaping dining decisions heading into 2026.
The Bottom Line for Olive Garden Fans
For families planning holiday meals, the message from Olive Garden is clear:
Christmas Day: Closed at all U.S. locationsChristmas Eve: Hours may vary, and some locations may close earlyWith dining habits becoming more intentional and holiday planning more deliberate, checking hours ahead of time could help avoid last-minute surprises.
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