Is Chick-fil-A Open on Christmas Day 2025? Holiday Hours Explained

Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the United States, especially during the holiday travel season. Whether you’re on a road trip, shopping for last-minute gifts, or rushing to the airport, it’s one of those places you count on for quick, consistent food. But every December, millions of people search the same question:

“Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas Day?”

If you’re asking for Christmas Day 2025, the answer is simple, consistent, and applies to every location nationwide.

❌ Is Chick-fil-A Open on Christmas Day 2025? No — It’s Closed.

Every Chick-fil-A location — including mall food courts, airport branches, and drive-thrus — is fully closed on December 25th.

This is not a year-to-year decision. Christmas Day is a permanently closed holiday for the chain, similar to Sundays.

Why?
The company’s leadership has always kept Christmas as a day for employees to spend time with family and rest. While some fast-food chains rotate holiday hours or adjust based on demand, Chick-fil-A maintains one universal policy:

Closed every Sunday

Closed every Christmas Day

Other holidays may vary by location

So if you’re hoping for waffle fries, a chicken sandwich, or a peppermint milkshake on December 25, 2025, it won’t be available anywhere in the U.S.

🕒 What About Christmas Eve 2025? Hours Do Vary.

While Chick-fil-A is always closed on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve is different.

Most locations follow a pattern:

Typical Christmas Eve Hours 2025

Opening: 6:00–7:00 AM

Closing: 4:00–6:00 PM

However, hours vary based on:

Region

Airport vs. standalone store

Mall hours

Franchise owner preference

Locations Likely to Close Earlier

College campuses (many close early for winter break)

Downtown business districts

Smaller markets

Malls with early holiday shutdowns

Locations Most Likely to Stay Open Later

Freeway/travel corridor stores

High-traffic suburban areas

Large cities

If you want guaranteed accuracy, use Chick-fil-A’s official store locator 24–48 hours before Christmas Eve.

🌎 Are Any International Chick-fil-A Locations Open on Christmas?

Chick-fil-A is mostly US-based, but the handful of international locations — like Canada and Puerto Rico — follow the same Christmas closure policy.

Even stores located inside:

Airports

Universities

Stadiums

Business centers
all follow the global Christmas policy: closed December 25th.

🛫 Is Chick-fil-A Open at Airports on Christmas Day 2025?

This is a huge source of confusion.

Airports like Atlanta (ATL), Denver (DEN), and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) have Chick-fil-A locations, and travelers sometimes assume airports have their own rules.

But no — airport Chick-fil-A stores always close on:

Sundays

Christmas Day

Even in the busiest airports in America, you will not find a single Chick-fil-A open on December 25th.

If you're traveling on Christmas Day, plan alternatives (we have a full list later).

🎄 Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours Calendar 2025

Here’s a snapshot of the chain’s known holiday schedule for 2025:

Holiday Status
New Year’s Day (Jan 1) Most open, limited hours
Easter Sunday Closed
Memorial Day Open
4th of July Open (may close early)
Labor Day Open
Thanksgiving Closed
Christmas Eve Open (reduced hours)
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve Open (varies by location)
🍗 Why Does Chick-fil-A Close on Christmas?

This is one of the few major fast-food brands with a company-wide philosophy around both:

religious observance, and

family/personal time

Founder Truett Cathy built the business with a “people-first” concept. Chick-fil-A avoids last-minute holiday schedule changes and uses holidays as mandatory rest periods, which is likely part of why it has some of the highest customer service scores in the industry.

🍔 What’s Open on Christmas Day Instead? (Great Alternatives)

If you’re craving something quick on December 25th, these chains are often open (but always check local hours):

Fast Food Likely Open

McDonald’s

Jack in the Box

Wendy’s (select)

Burger King (select)

Domino’s (varies widely)

Some Starbucks locations

Dunkin’ (many franchise-dependent)

Sit-Down Restaurants Often Open

Denny’s (24/7)

IHOP

Waffle House (always open)

Applebee’s (varies)

Buffalo Wild Wings (some open)

Convenience Stores

7-Eleven (24/7)

Circle K

QuickTrip

Wawa

These are reliable options if you need food on Christmas Day and Chick-fil-A is closed.

🛣️ What About Road Trips? Does Chick-fil-A on Highways Close?

Yes — every Chick-fil-A along major highways closes on Christmas:

I-10

I-40

I-75

I-90

I-95

Route 66
… and every other interstate.

Travel plazas may have 24/7 options open, but Chick-fil-A is always closed.

🏨 Are Chick-fil-A Hotel Locations Open on Christmas?

Some Chick-fil-A locations operate inside or near hotels, but they do not follow hotel hours.
They still close on Christmas Day and Sundays.

📌 What To Do If You Wanted Chick-fil-A Catering for Christmas?

Another big holiday question.

Chick-fil-A catering cannot be picked up on Christmas Day or ordered for Christmas Day delivery.

However, you CAN pick up catering trays on:

December 23rd

Early December 24th

Many families use trays for:

Christmas Eve gatherings

Office parties

Church events

Christmas morning breakfast (reheated)

Pro tip:
Order your tray 2–4 days early, as pickup windows fill quickly.

🔍 FAQs (Highly Searched)

1. Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas Day 2025?
No, all locations are closed.

2. Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas Eve 2025?
Yes, but usually with reduced hours.

3. What time does Chick-fil-A close on Christmas Eve?
Most locations close between 4–6 PM.

4. Are airport Chick-fil-A locations open on Christmas Day?
No. Even airport stores close.

5. Can I order Chick-fil-A catering for Christmas Day?
No, but you can pick it up on Dec 23–24.

6. Is Chick-fil-A open on New Year’s Day 2026?
Yes, typically with normal or limited hours.

7. Does Chick-fil-A ever break holiday schedules?
No. Christmas Day closure is universal.

⭐ Final Summary

Chick-fil-A is always closed on Christmas Day, including 2025. Christmas Eve hours vary by location, but most restaurants shut down early. If you’re traveling, doing last-minute shopping, or planning a family meal, make sure to get your Chick-fil-A fix before the evening of December 24th.

For Christmas Day meals, there are plenty of alternatives — from 24/7 diners to other fast-food chains that stay open. Planning ahead will save you frustration during the busiest travel week of the year.