Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours 2026: Full Schedule & Everything
Quick Answer: Chick-fil-A holiday hours in 2026 vary by holiday — the chain is always closed Sundays and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day every year.
You’re driving home on Thanksgiving night and suddenly craving a Chick-fil-A sandwich. Or maybe it’s Christmas Eve and you’re hoping the drive-thru is running. That sinking feeling of not knowing whether they’re open is one of the most frustrating moments in fast food.
Chick-fil-A has some of the most consistent and sometimes confusing holiday policies in the fast food industry. In 2026, the brand continues to operate on its well-known values-based schedule that sets it apart from nearly every other chain.
Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours 2026 — The Full Schedule
Chick-fil-A closes on Sundays year-round, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day no exceptions. All other major holidays are generally business as usual.
Hours may vary by location, especially for Chick-fil-A restaurants inside malls, airports, or college campuses. Those locations often follow the operating hours of the venue hosting them, not the standard standalone schedule.
| Holiday | Status | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| New Year’s Day | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Valentine’s Day | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Good Friday | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Easter Sunday | Closed | Closed (Sunday rule) |
| Memorial Day | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Juneteenth | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Independence Day | Open (may vary) | 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Labor Day | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Veterans Day | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Black Friday | Open | 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | Closed |
| Christmas Eve | Open (reduced) | 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Closed |
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Thanksgiving?
No Chick-fil-A is closed on Thanksgiving Day, every year without exception. This is one of the brand’s most firmly held holiday policies.
This closure applies to every Chick-fil-A location across the country, including standalone restaurants and most mall-based units. Don’t count on a Thanksgiving Chick-fil-A run it won’t happen.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Christmas Day?
Chick-fil-A is closed on Christmas Day at all locations nationwide. Like Thanksgiving, this is a non-negotiable closure that applies chain-wide every year.
Plan your Christmas meal accordingly — no location will be serving on December 25th. The restaurant reopens on December 26th with normal operating hours at most locations.
Chick-fil-A Christmas Eve Hours
Chick-fil-A is open on Christmas Eve, but many locations operate on reduced hours, typically closing around 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM rather than their usual 10:00 PM.
If you’re making a Christmas Eve Chick-fil-A run, go early. Individual franchise locations set their own closing times, and some may wrap up even earlier than the typical reduced window on December 24th.
Chick-fil-A New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Hours
Chick-fil-A is open on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, following its normal operating schedule of 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM at most locations.
New Year’s Day is not a Sunday in 2026, so the Sunday closure rule does not apply. Hours may vary by location, particularly in high-traffic areas where demand carries into late evening on December 31st.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Easter?
Chick-fil-A is closed on Easter Sunday — not because of a special Easter policy, but because Easter always falls on a Sunday. The Sunday closure rule applies universally.
This catches a lot of people off guard. Easter brunch plans at Chick-fil-A simply won’t work. If you’re craving it over the Easter weekend, Saturday is your window before the Sunday closure kicks in.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Memorial Day?
Yes — Chick-fil-A is open on Memorial Day, which falls on a Monday, with regular hours at the vast majority of its U.S. locations throughout the day.
Memorial Day is typically one of the busier Chick-fil-A days of the long weekend. Expect longer drive-thru lines, especially between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, as families make the most of the holiday.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Labor Day?
Chick-fil-A is open on Labor Day with standard operating hours. Labor Day is a Monday, so the Sunday closure does not affect it in any way.
Treat Labor Day like a busy weekend day. Drive-thru wait times can stretch 20 to 30 minutes at popular locations during the midday rush, so plan your visit for before 11:00 AM or after 2:00 PM.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Veterans Day?
Yes, Chick-fil-A is open on Veterans Day and sometimes runs special appreciation promotions for military members and veterans at participating locations.
Individual franchise locations set their own promotional schedules, so not every store participates in military deals on Veterans Day. Call ahead or check the Chick-fil-A app to confirm what’s available near you.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Good Friday?
Chick-fil-A is open on Good Friday with normal business hours. Good Friday is not a federally observed holiday, so Chick-fil-A treats it as a regular operating day.
Good Friday tends to be a high-traffic day for Chick-fil-A as people are off school or work. The lunch rush between noon and 1:30 PM on Good Friday can rival a typical Saturday.
Is Chick-fil-A Open on Black Friday?
Chick-fil-A is open on Black Friday and typically runs normal operating hours. It’s actually one of the busiest days of the year for the chain.
Shoppers between stores rely heavily on Chick-fil-A for a mid-shopping fuel stop. Expect significant wait times between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM on Black Friday ordering through the app ahead of time is strongly recommended.
Chick-fil-A Holiday Sunday Rule Explained
The Sunday closure is Chick-fil-A’s most famous policy — every location closes on Sunday, every week, regardless of what holiday or event falls on that day.
This means any holiday that lands on a Sunday — Easter, Mother’s Day, occasional New Year’s Days — automatically becomes a Chick-fil-A closure day. The Sunday rule has been in place since the chain’s founding and has never changed.
Chick-fil-A Holiday Drive-Thru Hours
On open holidays, Chick-fil-A drive-thru hours mirror the dining room hours, typically running from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. On reduced-hour holidays like Christmas Eve, the drive-thru closes at the same reduced time.
Hours may vary by location for drive-thru service specifically. Some high-volume locations extend drive-thru hours slightly past dining room close — check your local store’s app listing to confirm exact drive-thru timing.
Chick-fil-A Juneteenth & Independence Day Hours
Chick-fil-A is open on Juneteenth (June 19) with standard hours, as it is a federally recognized holiday treated as a regular business day by the chain.
On Independence Day (July 4th), Chick-fil-A is open but may close slightly earlier often around 9:00 PM — at locations in areas with heavy fireworks or outdoor event traffic. Individual franchise locations set their own adjusted closing times.
When Chick-fil-A Is Closed on Holidays
To keep things crystal clear, here are the only days Chick-fil-A closes during the holiday calendar year:
- Every Sunday — the chain’s founding principle, applied 52 weeks a year without exception
- Thanksgiving Day — closed at all locations, every year, no matter the location type
- Christmas Day — closed chain-wide, with reopening on December 26th at normal hours
Why Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours Vary
Franchise ownership is the primary reason Chick-fil-A hours differ across locations. Each restaurant is independently operated within corporate guidelines, allowing owners some scheduling flexibility.
Mall, airport, and campus Chick-fil-A units operate under the rules of their host venue. A Chick-fil-A inside a mall that closes at 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve will follow the mall’s schedule, not the standard standalone restaurant timing.
Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours by Location Type
Before any holiday visit, the type of Chick-fil-A you’re heading to matters a lot. Here’s what you can generally expect from different location formats:
- Standalone locations — follow the standard Chick-fil-A schedule most consistently across holidays
- Mall locations — defer to mall operating hours, which change significantly on holidays and weekends
- Airport locations — operate according to airport terminal hours and may be open even on Thanksgiving and Christmas
- College campus locations — often closed during school breaks including Thanksgiving week and winter break
- Drive-thru only locations — follow standard hours but may have modified service on certain reduced-hour holidays
Popular Chick-fil-A Holiday Items to Order
When Chick-fil-A is open on a holiday, there’s always a reason to celebrate. These are the fan-favorite items that regulars count on no matter what time of year.
| Item | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Original Chicken Sandwich | Classic fried chicken on a buttered bun with two pickles | $5.49 – $6.49 |
| Spicy Deluxe Sandwich | Spicy filet with pepper jack cheese and fresh vegetables | $6.49 – $7.49 |
| Nuggets (8-count) | Bite-sized all-white-meat chicken nuggets, the forever fan favorite | $5.49 – $6.49 |
| Waffle Fries | Crispy seasoned waffle-cut fries, always made fresh to order | $3.29 – $4.49 |
| Chick-fil-A Sauce | The chain’s signature honey mustard blend, beloved by millions | $0.50 – $0.75 |
| Peach Milkshake (seasonal) | Seasonal summer shake made with real peach syrup | $4.99 – $5.99 |
| Frosted Lemonade | Hand-spun lemonade blended with Icedream soft serve | $4.49 – $5.49 |
Best Time to Visit Chick-fil-A on Holidays
The golden window for holiday visits is before 11:00 AM or after 2:30 PM. Midday is always the peak — especially on days like Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Good Friday.
Using the Chick-fil-A app to mobile order before you arrive eliminates most of the wait. You can walk in, grab your order from the dedicated pickup shelf, and skip the entire line — a game-changer on high-traffic holiday days.
Most Confusing Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours Explained
Three holidays consistently create the most confusion for Chick-fil-A customers. Here’s the quick clarity you need before making any plans:
- Easter — always closed because it always falls on Sunday; no exceptions, no matter the location
- Mother’s Day — closed if it falls on a Sunday (which it often does); always check the calendar year in advance
- New Year’s Day — open in most years; only closed if it falls on a Sunday, which depends on the year
How to Check Chick-fil-A Holiday Hours Near You
Don’t assume — always verify before heading out on a holiday. It takes two minutes and saves the frustration of an empty parking lot.
Here are the four most reliable ways to check current Chick-fil-A holiday hours near you:
Google Search: Type “Chick-fil-A near me” and hours appear directly in the search results Knowledge Panel
Google Maps: Search Chick-fil-A, tap your nearest location, and view the full weekly and holiday hours listed
Official Website: Visit chick-fil-a and use the restaurant locator for your specific location’s hours
Call Directly: Use the phone number from Google Maps to call your local Chick-fil-A and confirm holiday hours same-day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Chick-fil-A holiday hours in 2026 are straightforward once you know the rules closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; open most everything else. Confirm your local store’s schedule before heading out, download the app to mobile order on busy days, and enjoy one of America’s most beloved fast food experiences on your terms.
