Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026: Full Schedule & Everything
Quick Answer: Applebee’s stays open on most major holidays with reduced hours. Christmas Day is the most common closure always confirm your local location before visiting.
You’re trying to figure out whether Applebee’s is open on the holiday you’re planning around and you need a straight answer, not a runaround. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or a quick Christmas Eve meal out, Applebee’s holiday hours can genuinely vary from one location to the next.
Applebee’s operates as a franchise chain, which means the corporate office sets general guidelines but individual owners make the final call on holiday hours in 2026. One location may be open until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve while another closes at 6:00 p.m. or doesn’t open at all.
Applebee’s Holiday Hours: The Full Picture for 2026
Applebee’s holiday hours vary more than most casual dining chains because of its franchise model. The broad rule: most locations stay open on major holidays with reduced hours, and Christmas Day is the most frequent full closure.
Hours may vary by location significantly a franchise owner in a tourist-heavy area may stay open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, while a suburban location closes at 8:00 p.m.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Eve?
Yes — most Applebee’s locations are open on Christmas Eve, though hours are typically reduced. Expect the majority of locations to operate from around 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. rather than their standard closing time.
Christmas Eve is actually one of the busier nights of the year at Applebee’s, since many families want a meal out before the holiday. If you’re planning to go, arriving before 6:30 p.m. gets you seated before the traditional family dinner rush hits its peak.
Is Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, most Applebee’s locations are open on Thanksgiving, though hours are typically shorter than a regular Thursday. Expect hours closer to 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at most open locations.
Thanksgiving is one of Applebee’s higher-traffic holiday periods, particularly for guests who don’t want to cook or are traveling. That said, hours may vary by location some franchise owners choose to close entirely to give staff the holiday off.
Is Applebee’s Open on Easter?
Most Applebee’s locations are open on Easter Sunday with standard or slightly reduced hours. Expect most locations to run from around 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Easter.
Easter is a moderately busy dining day for Applebee’s post-church crowds and family gatherings create a steady lunchtime rush. If you’re planning a larger group Easter meal, calling ahead to check both hours and wait time expectations is worth the 60-second effort.
Applebee’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Hours
New Year’s Eve is one of Applebee’s busiest nights of the year. Most locations stay open until midnight or later to accommodate holiday diners and revelers some extend service until 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. depending on the market.
New Year’s Day hours are typically reduced at most Applebee’s locations. Expect most stores to open around 11:00 a.m. and close by 9:00 p.m. an abbreviated schedule that still gives you a solid window for a midday or early evening meal to start the new year. Hours may vary by location.
Applebee’s Hours on Major Holidays: Full Table
The table below covers Applebee’s holiday hours across the most commonly searched occasions. These reflect typical patterns individual franchise locations set their own schedules and may differ from these baselines.
| Holiday | Status | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open (reduced) | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Valentine’s Day | Open (busy) | 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. |
| St. Patrick’s Day | Open (extended) | 11:00 a.m. – midnight |
| Easter Sunday | Open (most locations) | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Mother’s Day | Open (very busy) | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Memorial Day | Open | 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. |
| Father’s Day | Open (busy) | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| 4th of July | Open | 11:00 a.m. – midnight |
| Labor Day | Open | 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. |
| Halloween | Open | 11:00 a.m. – midnight |
| Thanksgiving | Open (most, reduced) | 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Christmas Eve | Open (reduced) | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Christmas Day | Closed (most locations) | N/A |
| New Year’s Eve | Open (extended) | 11:00 a.m. – midnight or later |
Applebee’s Hours on Other Holidays
Beyond the major holidays, Applebee’s stays open on secondary occasions like Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day with standard full-day hours. These lower-profile holidays rarely trigger reduced schedules at the franchise level.
Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day deserve special mention: they’re among Applebee’s busiest dining days of the entire year. If you’re planning to visit on either, booking a call-ahead seating spot well in advance or arriving before noon is the only way to avoid a long wait.
Why Applebee’s Holiday Hours Change
The core reason Applebee’s holiday hours vary is straightforward: over 99% of Applebee’s locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees. Corporate sets guidelines, but the individual owner makes the final scheduling decision.
A franchise owner’s choices on holidays are driven by staff availability, local customer demand, and personal preference. Some prioritize staying open to capture holiday revenue; others choose to close and give their team the day off.
Applebee’s Holiday Hours by Location
Location type matters significantly for Applebee’s holiday hours. A location near a busy shopping mall or in a tourist destination is far more likely to maintain full or extended holiday hours than a standalone suburban location in a quieter neighborhood.
Urban Applebee’s locations particularly in cities with active nightlife tend to stay open later on New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day. Suburban and rural franchise owners often make more conservative holiday decisions.
Applebee’s Holiday Menu Specials
Applebee’s regularly introduces limited-time menu items and promotions tied to major holidays. These specials aren’t available year-round, which makes holiday visits genuinely interesting from a menu standpoint beyond the standard lineup.
Common holiday-period offerings have included seasonal cocktails for New Year’s Eve, special combo deals around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Endless Apps promotions that tend to appear during high-traffic holiday weekends.
| Item | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Nachos | Loaded tortilla chips with queso, chicken, jalapeños, and toppings | $12.99 – $15.99 |
| Riblets Platter | Applebee’s signature sauced riblets with fries and coleslaw | $13.99 – $16.99 |
| Fiesta Lime Chicken | Marinated chicken with mexi-ranch, pico, and tortilla strips | $13.49 – $15.99 |
| Classic Burger | Beef patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, and house pickles | $10.99 – $13.49 |
| Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp | Cajun-seasoned chicken and shrimp with sautéed peppers and onions | $14.99 – $17.49 |
| Seasonal Holiday Cocktail | Limited-time cocktails tied to major holidays (varies by season) | $7.99 – $10.99 |
| Endless Apps | Unlimited appetizer refills, available during select promotional periods | $12.99 – $14.99 |
How to Check Applebee’s Holiday Hours Near You
Before you commit to Applebee’s as your holiday dining destination, take two minutes to confirm your local location’s hours. Here’s how:
Google Search: Type “Applebee’s near me” Google’s knowledge panel shows today’s hours and any holiday adjustments flagged in the listing, often updated directly by the franchise location
Google Maps: Search Applebee’s and select your nearest location, Maps shows live open/closed status and sometimes includes holiday hour notes posted by the location or spotted in customer reviews
Official Website: Visit applebees and use the restaurant finder each location page shows current hours and a direct phone number for the specific franchise
Applebee’s App: The app includes a location finder with hours, online ordering access, and current promotional deals a single place to check both schedule and menu before heading out
Direct Phone Call: Call your local Applebee’s directly this is the most accurate method for holiday-specific hours because the franchise staff knows their own schedule and can confirm wait times too
Tips for Visiting Applebee’s on Holidays
Holidays at Applebee’s can be wonderful or they can involve a 45-minute wait and a stripped-down menu. A little preparation makes all the difference:
- Use Applebee’s call-ahead seating the chain doesn’t take traditional reservations, but calling 30 to 45 minutes before you want to arrive adds your name to the waitlist and dramatically reduces your wait
- Arrive early on high-traffic holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Thanksgiving the lunch window before 1:00 p.m. is consistently shorter than the dinner rush
- Check the Applebee’s app for active holiday specials before visiting limited-time deals sometimes offer meaningful savings on holiday visits that aren’t advertised at the door
- If you’re a larger group six or more call the day before the holiday to let staff know your party size is coming, even if they can’t take a formal reservation
- Have a backup plan for Christmas Day specifically most locations close, and being flexible with an alternative destination prevents a disappointing trip
Best Alternatives If Applebee’s Is Closed on a Holiday
If your Applebee’s turns out to be closed on the holiday you’re planning around, a few reliable casual dining alternatives are worth having on standby. Most of these chains follow similar holiday availability patterns.
- Chili’s: A close Applebee’s competitor with similar menu style stays open on most major holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
- TGI Fridays: Known for extended holiday hours, particularly around New Year’s Eve good alternative for evening holiday dining
- Denny’s: Operates 24/7 at most locations, making it the most reliable option when every other casual dining chain is closed on Christmas Day
- IHOP: Open 24 hours at many locations and stays operational through most major holidays a solid backup for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Cracker Barrel: One of the few sit-down chains that actively promotes its Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dining service worth a call if Applebee’s is closed
Read: Cracker Barrel Holiday Hours
Read: Denny’s Holiday Hours
Read: Dunkin Holiday Hours
Read: IHOP Holiday Hours
Read: Hardee’s Holiday Hours
Read: Jack in the Box Holiday Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Applebee’s holiday hours in 2026 follow a consistent pattern open on most occasions with reduced times, and closed at many locations on Christmas Day. Always verify your specific franchise location via the app or a call before heading out, especially for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.
