In-N-Out Christmas Eve Hours 2026 — Open or Closed?

In-N-Out is open on Christmas Eve 2026, but they close earlier than usual — most locations stop serving around 11:00 PM instead of the standard 1:00 or 1:30 AM. This page covers everything you need to know before making a Christmas Eve burger run: exact closing times, whether the drive-thru follows the same schedule, what happens on Christmas Day, and the full In-N-Out holiday hours for 2026. Hours can vary by location, so we’ll also show you the fastest way to confirm your nearest store before you head out. Last verified: August 2026.

Is In-N-Out Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, In-N-Out is open on Christmas Eve. Unlike Christmas Day — when every location closes — December 24th is a regular operating day with adjusted hours. Most locations open at their standard time of 10:30 AM and close earlier than usual, typically around 11:00 PM.

That’s roughly 2 to 2.5 hours earlier than the normal weekday closing of 1:00 AM. The early closure gives In-N-Out associates time to get home before midnight to spend Christmas Eve with their families — which lines up with how the company has always treated employee time on major holidays.

If you’re planning a Christmas Eve visit, earlier in the evening is the safer call. Don’t count on being able to pull into the drive-thru at 11:30 PM — by then, most locations will already be closed or wrapping up their last orders.

In-N-Out Christmas Eve Hours 2026

Standard hours for comparison:

On Christmas Eve, In-N-Out closes approximately 2 hours earlier than a normal weekday. Some locations in smaller markets or areas with lower traffic may close even earlier — as early as 8:00 PM. High-traffic urban locations typically stay open until the full 11:00 PM window. Always check your specific location before heading out.

Why Does In-N-Out Close Early on Christmas Eve?

In-N-Out closes early on Christmas Eve so associates can spend the evening with their families before Christmas Day. It’s a long-standing company tradition that reflects the chain’s employee-first culture. While most restaurants stay open throughout the day, they typically stop serving around 11:00 PM so staff can head home and celebrate the holiday.

Is In-N-Out Drive-Thru Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, the drive-thru follows the same Christmas Eve hours as the dining room — both close around 11:00 PM. In-N-Out doesn’t keep the drive-thru open later than the dining room on holidays the way some chains do.

One thing to keep in mind: In-N-Out kitchens typically stop taking new orders 15–20 minutes before official closing time. If the location closes at 11:00 PM, you want to be in line by 10:40–10:45 PM at the latest. If you’re already in the drive-thru line before closing, most locations will still serve you through. But pulling up after they’ve started turning cars away — even by a few minutes — usually means you’re out of luck.

Christmas Eve drive-thru lines tend to be longer than a typical weeknight because of the earlier closing time and holiday traffic. If you’re planning to go, aim for earlier in the evening — 6:00–9:00 PM is a reasonable window before the late-evening rush compresses into the shortened timeframe.

Is In-N-Out Open on Christmas Day?

No. In-N-Out is completely closed on Christmas Day (December 25). Every location across all states shuts down for the full day — California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho included.

This has been In-N-Out’s consistent policy for decades. The chain closes on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday every year so employees can spend those holidays with their families. It’s one of the few non-negotiable closures on the In-N-Out calendar.

Normal operations resume on December 26 at standard hours — 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM (weekday schedule). If you’re craving a Double-Double on Christmas morning, you’ll need to wait until the 26th. See the full menu page for what’s available when they reopen.

Full In-N-Out Holiday Hours 2026

For context, here’s how Christmas Eve fits into In-N-Out’s full 2026 holiday schedule:

In-N-Out closes on only three holidays: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Every other holiday runs regular hours. Christmas Eve is the only holiday with a consistent early-close policy across all locations.

How to Check Your Local In-N-Out Christmas Eve Hours

The hours above are the standard pattern, but individual locations can vary. A location in a small market might close at 8:00 PM on Christmas Eve. A high-volume urban location might stay open until exactly 11:00 PM. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific store.

Three ways to verify:

1. In-N-Out’s official store locator — Go to in-n-out.com/locations, find your nearest location, and check the listed hours. In-N-Out typically updates holiday hours on their site closer to the date — checking within a week of December 24 gives you the most accurate information.
2. Google Maps — Search your local In-N-Out on Google Maps. Hours are often updated by the location or by Google’s data system around major holidays. Look for a “Holiday hours” note on the listing.
3. Call the location directly — The fastest and most reliable method. In-N-Out’s locations are listed with phone numbers on their official site. A quick 30-second call will tell you exactly when they’re closing on December 24.

Don’t rely on third-party websites (including this one) for pinpoint accuracy on a specific location’s holiday hours — we report the general pattern, but only your local store knows for certain.

What to Order Before They Close

If you’re making a Christmas Eve In-N-Out run, here’s a quick cheat sheet of what most regulars order:

The Double-Double is the standard choice — two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, made to order from fresh never-frozen beef. If you haven’t tried it Animal Style (mustard-fried patty, grilled onions, extra spread, pickles), that’s the upgrade worth making.

Fries well done hold up better if you’re driving home with the order. Standard fries go soft quickly; well done stays crispy longer. See fries page for all fry styles.

Milkshakes — chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry — are made from real ice cream. The Neapolitan shake (all three flavors) costs the same as a regular shake.

The full menu is available right up until closing, including everything on the secret menu page.

In-N-Out Christmas Eve Hours FAQ