Olive Garden Holiday Hours 2025: Yes, All Locations Will Close on Thanksgiving and Christmas—What Diners Should Know

Olive Garden is joining the growing list of restaurant brands that will close every U.S. location for 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27, 2025) and Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2025). The move prioritizes employee time with family and gives guests clarity as they plan holiday meals. If you were eyeing breadsticks and Alfredo on either holiday, you’ll need a backup plan.

Key Dates, Hours, and What Changes Around the Holidays

• Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27): All restaurants closed.

• Christmas Day (Dec. 25): All restaurants closed.

• Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 26) & Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): Many locations may close early at the discretion of local management.

• Black Friday (Nov. 28) & Dec. 26: Normal hours typically resume, but confirm locally due to regional variations.

• Non-continental locations: Select restaurants outside the contiguous U.S. may follow different schedules—always check the specific store page or call ahead.

Tip: If you’re hosting, order catering before the holiday and refrigerate—soups, sauces, and trays reheat well for next-day gatherings when the dining rooms are closed.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Smart Timing

The days leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas are historically busy. Expect longer waits for tables and takeout during the dinner rush, especially on Thanksgiving Eve and the weekend before Christmas.

How to improve your odds:

• Book early where reservations are accepted; otherwise, join the waitlist before you drive.

• Shift earlier (late lunch/early dinner) to miss peak traffic.

• Curbside pickup can be faster than in-restaurant ordering on crunch days.

• For larger groups, catering pans (pastas, salads, and breadsticks) streamline service and budget.

Delivery and Takeout: What’s Available Before and After

Olive Garden’s off-premise options are robust the day before and the day after both holidays. Individual delivery, takeout, and catering will not be available on Thanksgiving or Christmas when dining rooms are closed, but they generally resume immediately afterward. If you’re planning a Friday Friendsgiving or post-Christmas get-together, pre-schedule pickup to lock in timing.

Seasonal Promos and Menu Notes

Menu lineups can vary by market in late November and December. Here’s how to plan:

• Never-Ending Pasta and other high-demand promotions can create longer waits; consider off-peak times.

• Family bundles (pastas, salad, breadsticks) remain the best value for groups and reheat well for next-day meals.

• Lighter portions and customizable entrées are increasingly common; check local pricing before you go.

• Catering trays of soup, salad, and pasta are popular for office parties and potlucks in the two weeks before Christmas—order at least 24–48 hours ahead.

Travel Week Checklist for Diners

1. Check your local restaurant’s page for day-specific hours (Eve vs. Day-of).

2. Reserve or join the waitlist early on peak days.

3. Place catering orders 1–2 days in advance; confirm pickup windows.

4. Account for early closures on the eves—don’t assume normal late hours.

5. Plan leftovers: Alfredo and baked pastas reheat best; keep breadsticks wrapped to avoid drying out.

Why the Closures Are Broader This Year

More national chains are standardizing full-day closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas to set clear expectations, ease staffing pressures, and reduce last-minute schedule changes. For diners, the upside is predictability; the trade-off is tighter windows on the surrounding days, when demand spikes.

• Closed nationwide on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and Christmas (Dec. 25).

• Expect early closings on the eves and heavier demand before and after.

• Lock in reservations, waitlist spots, or catering as early as possible.

If your holiday plans include breadsticks and pasta, time it for the day before or the day after—and consider catering trays to keep the table covered while the dining rooms take a well-deserved breather.