Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026: Thanksgiving, Christmas & More
Planning to visit Applebee’s during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or another major holiday? Knowing the Applebee’s holiday hours for 2026 can help you avoid arriving at a restaurant that has closed early or is not operating that day.
Applebee’s restaurants do not follow one publicly confirmed nationwide holiday schedule. Some locations may maintain their regular opening hours, while others adjust their schedules or close for particular holidays.
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day require especially careful planning because availability can differ between restaurants. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve may also involve schedule changes.
This guide explains what is known about Applebee’s holiday operations, highlights important dates in 2026, and shows you how to confirm your nearest restaurant’s opening and closing times.
Quick Answer
Applebee’s is generally available on many major holidays, but holiday opening hours are not guaranteed at every restaurant. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are particularly location-dependent, with some restaurants closing and others potentially operating limited hours.
For Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, and Christmas Day, December 25, 2026, a universal nationwide schedule has not been confirmed. Check your selected Applebee’s restaurant through its official location page or contact it directly before visiting.
Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026 at a Glance
The following table covers important U.S. holidays in 2026. It distinguishes general operating expectations from confirmed location-specific information.
| Holiday | Date in 2026 | Operating Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, Thursday | Generally open; local hours apply |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19, Monday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Valentine’s Day | February 14, Saturday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Presidents’ Day | February 16, Monday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Easter Sunday | April 5, Sunday | Location-dependent |
| Memorial Day | May 25, Monday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Independence Day | July 4, Saturday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Labor Day | September 7, Monday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Halloween | October 31, Saturday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Veterans Day | November 11, Wednesday | Check selected restaurant |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26, Thursday | Some locations may close |
| Black Friday | November 27, Friday | Generally open; confirm locally |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, Thursday | Hours may be shortened |
| Christmas Day | December 25, Friday | Many locations may close |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31, Thursday | Generally open; closing times vary |
Important: This table is a planning guide, not an official chain-wide holiday schedule. Exact 2026 holiday opening and closing times have not been universally confirmed.
Is Applebee’s Open on Holidays?
Applebee’s operates on many holidays throughout the year, but individual restaurants may have different schedules.
Its official restaurant locator provides location-specific operating hours rather than a single national holiday timetable.
For customers, the most important distinction is between regular restaurant hours and special holiday hours.
A restaurant that normally serves dinner until midnight may adopt a different closing time for a particular holiday. Likewise, a location that operates every Sunday may still make a separate decision about Easter Sunday.
Which Holidays Require Extra Attention?
The most important dates to verify are:
- Thanksgiving Day: Restaurants may be open or closed depending on the location.
- Christmas Eve: Earlier closing is possible.
- Christmas Day: Many restaurants may not operate.
- New Year’s Eve: Closing times can differ from the regular schedule.
- New Year’s Day: Opening times may differ from those on a normal weekday.
- Easter Sunday: Operating hours should be confirmed individually.
For other holidays, regular service may be available, but published weekly hours are not proof that a restaurant will maintain the same schedule on the holiday itself.
Is Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Applebee’s Thanksgiving hours are not universally confirmed. Some restaurants may open for holiday dining, while others may remain closed.
There is no reliable nationwide Thanksgiving opening or closing time that customers should assume applies to every location.
What Time Does Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving?
An exact nationwide opening time for Thanksgiving 2026 has not been established.
If your nearest restaurant plans to operate, its management can confirm when service begins and whether the restaurant will close earlier than usual.
Does Applebee’s Serve Thanksgiving Dinner?
Applebee’s standard menu includes casual dining options, but a special nationwide Thanksgiving dinner menu for 2026 has not been confirmed.
An open restaurant should not automatically be assumed to offer traditional Thanksgiving meals, holiday packages, or limited-time discounts.
Check its current menu and ordering availability before making plans.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Eve 2026?
Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, December 24, 2026.
Applebee’s restaurants may operate on Christmas Eve, although opening and closing times can differ from their usual Thursday schedule.
Some locations may close earlier than normal.
What Time Does Applebee’s Close on Christmas Eve?
There is no universally verified Applebee’s Christmas Eve closing time for 2026.
Avoid assuming that the restaurant will remain open until its regular evening closing time.
For a Christmas Eve dinner, confirm both the restaurant’s closing time and the latest time it will accept dine-in or takeout orders.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, 2026.
Many Applebee’s locations may be closed on Christmas Day. However, it would be inaccurate to describe Christmas closure as a confirmed nationwide policy without an official chain-wide announcement.
Some individual restaurants may choose to operate.
Can You Eat at Applebee’s on Christmas Day?
You may be able to dine at a location that announces Christmas Day service.
However, availability is not guaranteed, and ordinary Friday opening hours should not be treated as confirmation.
Before traveling, contact the restaurant directly and ask:
- Will the restaurant be open on December 25?
- What time will dine-in service begin and end?
- Will takeout or delivery be available?
- Will the regular menu be offered?
A restaurant’s direct confirmation is more dependable than a general holiday schedule.
Applebee’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Hours
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are separate scheduling occasions, and their restaurant hours should be checked individually.
New Year’s Eve Hours 2026
New Year’s Eve falls on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
Applebee’s locations generally operate on New Year’s Eve, but exact closing times vary.
There is no confirmed nationwide requirement for restaurants to remain open until midnight or later.
If you plan a late dinner, verify the closing time and last-order availability.
New Year’s Day Hours 2027
New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1, 2027.
Some Applebee’s restaurants may operate on their usual Friday schedules, while others may use adjusted holiday hours.
Check the specific restaurant before planning an early lunch or evening visit.
Applebee’s Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day Hours
Several major holidays generally involve fewer changes to restaurant availability than Christmas Day, but that does not mean operating hours are identical across the chain.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday was April 5 in 2026.
Applebee’s Easter opening status depends on the individual restaurant. A location’s usual Sunday schedule is a helpful reference but does not establish whether it operated on Easter.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day was Monday, May 25, 2026.
Applebee’s restaurants generally offer service on Memorial Day, although individual opening and closing times may differ.
Independence Day
Independence Day was Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Many Applebee’s locations generally operate on Independence Day. However, a restaurant’s regular Saturday closing time should not automatically be assumed to apply to the holiday.
Labor Day
Labor Day was Monday, September 7, 2026.
Applebee’s restaurants generally operate on Labor Day, subject to location-specific schedules.
These 2026 holidays have already passed. For future visits, consult the restaurant’s schedule for the relevant year rather than relying on historical hours.
Do Applebee’s Holiday Hours Vary by Location?
Yes. Applebee’s restaurant operating hours vary by location, and holiday schedules may vary as well.
Applebee’s uses a franchise-based business model, making it particularly important to check the individual restaurant rather than assume all locations use the same schedule.
An important distinction is that published regular operating hours do not necessarily describe holiday operations.
Examples of Regular Applebee’s Hours at Different Locations
The following information comes from official Applebee’s restaurant pages reviewed on October 15, 2026.
| Restaurant Location | Monday–Thursday Hours | Friday Hours | Saturday Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6570 Rt. 60 Steubenville Pike, Pittsburgh, PA | 11 AM–12 AM | 11 AM–1 AM | 11 AM–1 AM |
| 2101 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA | 11 AM–11 PM | 11 AM–12 AM | 11 AM–12 AM |
| 3050 N. 5th Street Highway, Reading, PA | 11:30 AM–11 PM | 11:30 AM–12 AM | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
These three Pennsylvania locations illustrate genuine differences in regular operating hours. They are not a geographically representative sample of the chain, and their published weekly schedules do not confirm 2026 holiday hours.
The comparison is useful because even nearby restaurants may not share the same opening and closing times.
Does Applebee’s Have a Special Holiday Menu?
Applebee’s regularly offers food and beverage selections, but holiday-specific menus, promotions, and pricing should not be assumed to apply nationwide.
A special Christmas dinner menu, Thanksgiving meal package, or New Year’s discount for 2026 has not been established as a universal Applebee’s offering.
Can You Order From the Regular Menu on Holidays?
At an open location, regular menu items may be available, subject to that restaurant’s current offerings.
The official Applebee’s menu and online ordering system can help customers check availability for a selected restaurant.
However, a restaurant being open does not guarantee that every menu item or promotion will be available.
Are There Holiday Food and Drink Deals?
Holiday-specific discounts and beverages require current promotional confirmation.
Customers should distinguish between ordinary menu specials, ongoing local offers, and promotions specifically advertised for a particular holiday.
Prices and participation may vary by restaurant.
Does Applebee’s Offer Takeout and Delivery on Holidays?
Applebee’s offers takeout and delivery through participating locations, but these services should be verified separately during holidays.
The company’s official delivery information states that delivery hours depend on the restaurant.
Holiday Takeout
Takeout may be offered when a participating restaurant is operating.
However, the restaurant’s dine-in closing time may not establish the final time it accepts pickup orders.
Use the selected restaurant’s ordering system or contact the location to confirm.
Holiday Delivery
Delivery availability depends on location and service hours.
Applebee’s official delivery information also explains that participating restaurants may offer advance delivery scheduling.
That feature does not guarantee availability on a particular holiday. The available ordering times must be checked for the selected restaurant and date.
How to Check Applebee’s Holiday Hours Near You
The most reliable way to determine whether Applebee’s is open on a holiday is to verify the exact location you plan to visit.
- Use Applebee’s official restaurant locator. Search by city, state, or ZIP code and select your preferred location.
- Review the restaurant’s location page. Check the published operating hours, address, and phone number.
- Look for holiday-specific updates. Do not assume standard weekly hours apply to Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Check the current ordering system. Available pickup or delivery time slots can provide additional information about ordering availability.
- Call the restaurant directly. Ask about the holiday date, dine-in hours, closing time, and final order acceptance.
- Use Google Maps as a secondary check. Map listings can be helpful, but they may not always reflect a recent holiday schedule change.
For Thanksgiving and Christmas, direct restaurant confirmation is particularly valuable.
Applebee’s Restaurant Hours vs. Holiday Hours
These two types of schedules are not interchangeable.
| Schedule Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Regular restaurant hours | Published opening and closing times for ordinary operating days |
| Holiday hours | Special operating times or closures for a particular holiday |
| Takeout hours | Times when pickup orders are accepted |
| Delivery hours | Times when delivery service is available |
| Promotional hours | Times associated with a specific offer or deal |
Understanding these differences can prevent confusion when a restaurant is open but a particular service or promotion is unavailable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
Some Applebee’s restaurants may open on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026, while others may close. A nationwide holiday schedule has not been confirmed, so check the exact location.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Day?
Many Applebee’s restaurants may be closed on Christmas Day. However, individual locations may make different arrangements. Contact your nearest restaurant to confirm its December 25 status.
What Time Does Applebee’s Close on Christmas Eve?
There is no single verified nationwide Christmas Eve closing time. Individual restaurants may close earlier than they do on a typical Thursday.
Is Applebee’s Open on New Year’s Eve?
Applebee’s generally operates on New Year’s Eve, but exact restaurant hours are location-specific. Late-night service should be confirmed before visiting.
Is Applebee’s Open on Easter Sunday?
Easter availability depends on the restaurant. Some locations may operate their usual Sunday hours, while others may make adjustments.
Does Applebee’s Have Regular Hours on Labor Day?
Many Applebee’s restaurants generally operate on Labor Day, but their exact opening and closing times are not guaranteed to match the normal Monday schedule.
Can I Order Applebee’s Delivery on Christmas?
Delivery may be available only if a participating restaurant is open and accepting delivery orders. Check the restaurant’s ordering system or call directly.
How Do I Find Applebee’s Holiday Hours Near Me?
Use Applebee’s official restaurant locator, select the specific location, and review its operating information. For a holiday visit, confirm the schedule directly with the restaurant.
Sources & Verification
This guide was reviewed on October 15, 2026, using Applebee’s official restaurant locator, individual restaurant pages, official menu and ordering information, and its delivery information.
Official location pages confirmed that regular opening and closing times differ among restaurants. Applebee’s delivery guidance also confirms that delivery hours depend on location.
A comprehensive official nationwide holiday schedule specifying exact opening and closing times for every Applebee’s restaurant in 2026 was not established through these sources.
Therefore, location-dependent holiday status and unconfirmed schedules have been identified rather than replaced with estimated times.
Before You Go
Applebee’s generally operates on many holidays, but Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day require special attention because individual restaurants may adjust their schedules or close.
For 2026, do not assume that an Applebee’s location will follow its normal weekday hours on a major holiday.
The safest approach is to check the official location information and contact the restaurant directly before heading out, especially when planning a holiday dinner or late-night visit.