Chili’s Holiday Hours 2026: Christmas, Thanksgiving & New Year’s Hours
Chili’s Holiday Hours become one of the most searched restaurant topics during major holidays because customers often rely on Chili’s for family dinners, holiday gatherings, sports events, and last-minute dining plans. Unlike fast-food restaurants that focus primarily on convenience, Chili’s serves a mix of dine-in guests, takeout customers, and families looking for a casual dining experience during busy holiday seasons.
While many Chili’s locations remain open throughout most federal holidays, certain holidays bring reduced schedules, early closures, or full-day shutdowns. This often creates confusion for customers searching for Christmas Day availability, Thanksgiving dining options, Easter schedules, and New Year’s operating hours.
This guide covers Chili’s Holiday Hours for 2026, including Christmas Day closures, Thanksgiving operations, New Year’s schedules, Easter availability, takeout hours, and the best ways to check local restaurant schedules before visiting.
Chili’s Holiday Hours 2026
Most Chili’s locations remain open during major federal holidays, although some holidays bring reduced schedules or full-day closures.
| Holiday | Open or Closed | Typical Holiday Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open | Regular Hours |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Open | Normal Operations |
| Presidents’ Day | Open | Regular Hours |
| Easter Sunday | Most Locations Open | Reduced Hours Possible |
| Memorial Day | Open | Regular Business Hours |
| Independence Day | Open | Normal Operations |
| Labor Day | Open | Regular Business Hours |
| Thanksgiving Day | Many Locations Open | Reduced Hours Common |
| Christmas Eve | Open | Early Closing Common |
| Christmas Day | Most Locations Closed | Full-Day Closure Common |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | Extended Evening Traffic |
Because many restaurants operate under franchise ownership, local holiday schedules may vary.
Is Chili’s Open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, many Chili’s locations remain open on Thanksgiving, although reduced holiday schedules are common.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on Thanksgiving” increase dramatically every November because many customers seek alternatives to home-cooked meals or need dining options while traveling.
Thanksgiving often creates increased demand from:
- travelers
- football fans
- small family gatherings
- customers avoiding holiday cooking
- last-minute dining plans
Is Chili’s Open on Christmas?
Most Chili’s locations close on Christmas Day.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on Christmas” and “is Chili’s open on Christmas Day” continue growing every December because customers often assume casual dining chains remain open throughout the holiday season.
However, Christmas Day remains one of the few holidays when most Chili’s restaurants close completely.
Why Chili’s Closes on Christmas Day
Christmas Day closures allow restaurant employees to spend time with their families while reducing operational challenges during one of the year’s most family-focused holidays.
Customers should generally plan for Chili’s locations to remain closed on December 25 unless otherwise announced locally.
Chili’s Christmas Eve Hours
Most Chili’s restaurants remain open on Christmas Eve, although many locations close earlier than normal.
Searches for “Chili’s Christmas hours” increase significantly during the final week of December because customers often schedule holiday dinners, shopping breaks, and family gatherings before Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve creates strong demand from customers who are:
- shopping
- traveling
- visiting relatives
- attending holiday events
- preparing for celebrations
Many restaurants shorten evening operations while still serving customers throughout most of the day.
Is Chili’s Open on New Year’s Day?
Yes, most Chili’s locations remain open on New Year’s Day.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on New Year’s Day” and “is Chili’s open New Year’s Day” rise sharply every January because customers continue holiday celebrations and gather with friends and family.
New Year’s Day often brings strong traffic from:
- sports fans
- travelers
- families
- weekend diners
- holiday visitors
Most restaurants operate with normal business hours, although schedules can vary by location.
Is Chili’s Open on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, most Chili’s locations remain open on New Year’s Eve.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on New Year’s Eve” and “Chili’s New Year’s Eve hours” increase because many customers choose casual dining restaurants for celebrations before midnight.
New Year’s Eve often generates:
- increased bar traffic
- larger group reservations
- holiday parties
- family dinners
- takeout orders
Some locations may extend operations slightly later depending on local demand and market conditions.
Is Chili’s Open on Easter?
Most Chili’s locations remain open on Easter Sunday, although operating hours may vary.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on Easter” continue growing every spring as families look for dining options after church services and holiday activities.
Easter often creates increased demand during:
- brunch hours
- lunch periods
- family gatherings
- afternoon celebrations
Customers may encounter longer wait times during peak dining periods.
Is Chili’s Open on Memorial Day and Labor Day?
Most Chili’s restaurants remain open on both Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Searches for “is Chili’s open on Memorial Day” and “is Chili’s open on Labor Day” increase during major holiday weekends because customers often combine dining with travel, shopping, and outdoor activities.
These holidays generally follow normal business operations, although local variations may occur.
Chili’s Holiday Takeout and Curbside Pickup Hours
Holiday takeout demand continues growing because many families prefer restaurant meals without dining inside the restaurant.
Popular occasions for takeout include:
- Christmas Eve
- New Year’s Eve
- Thanksgiving alternatives
- game-day gatherings
- family celebrations
During peak holiday periods, customers may experience:
- longer preparation times
- crowded pickup areas
- delayed delivery schedules
- increased online order demand
Ordering earlier in the day often provides the smoothest experience.
Best Time to Visit Chili’s During Holidays
The best time to visit Chili’s during holidays usually depends on avoiding major lunch and dinner rushes.
Most restaurants become busiest during:
- holiday dinner periods
- football games
- Christmas Eve afternoons
- New Year’s celebrations
- Easter lunch hours
Popular Holiday Menu Items at Chili’s
| Menu Item | Why It’s Popular During Holidays |
|---|---|
| Baby Back Ribs | One of Chili’s most iconic entrées for family dinners |
| Triple Dipper | Popular shareable appetizer for gatherings |
| Chicken Crispers | Family-friendly option often ordered by groups |
| Smokehouse Combo | Large meal ideal for holiday appetites |
| Cajun Chicken Pasta | Popular comfort-food choice |
| Southwestern Eggrolls | Frequently ordered appetizer |
| Bacon Ranch Quesadillas | Shareable favorite for sports events |
| Big Mouth Burgers | Popular casual dining option |
| Texas Cheese Fries | Common group appetizer |
| Molten Chocolate Cake | Signature dessert for celebrations |
How to Check Local Chili’s Holiday Hours
Because schedules vary between locations, checking local hours before visiting is recommended.
Chili’s Website
Use the Chili’s Store Locator to find updated holiday hours, restaurant information, and location-specific schedules.
Chili’s Mobile App
The app provides restaurant-specific information, ordering options, and operating hours.
Google Maps
Google Maps frequently updates temporary holiday schedule changes.
Call the Restaurant
Calling directly remains the most reliable way to confirm holiday schedules.
For another popular casual dining chain, check our Applebee’s Holiday Hours guide.
FAQs
What are Chili’s Holiday Hours?
Chili’s Holiday Hours vary by location and holiday. Most restaurants remain open during Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day.
Is Chili’s open on Christmas Day?
Most Chili’s locations close on Christmas Day.
Is Chili’s open on Thanksgiving?
Many locations remain open on Thanksgiving, although reduced hours are common.
Is Chili’s open on New Year’s Day?
Yes, most Chili’s restaurants remain open on New Year’s Day.
Is Chili’s open on Easter?
Most locations remain open on Easter Sunday.
What holidays is Chili’s closed?
Christmas Day is the most common full-day closure across many Chili’s locations.
Does Chili’s offer holiday takeout?
Many locations provide takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery during holidays.
Are Chili’s Holiday Hours the same everywhere?
No. Holiday schedules may vary because many locations operate under franchise ownership.
Final Thoughts
Chili’s Holiday Hours remain customer-friendly throughout most of the year, with many locations staying open during Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. While Christmas Day is typically the most common closure, some restaurants may also operate with reduced schedules on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Because Chili’s Holiday Hours can vary by location, checking local schedules before visiting is always the best approach. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, family gathering, or takeout order, reviewing Chili’s Holiday Hours in advance can help you avoid unexpected closures, long wait times, and holiday scheduling changes.
