Olive Garden Thanksgiving Christmas Closures 2025
The holiday season is a special time to celebrate with family, friends, and delicious food. But if you’re planning to visit Olive Garden for your favorite pasta, soups, and breadsticks during Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s important to check their hours first.
Olive Garden has announced that all its restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day 2025. Don’t worry though — you can still visit before or after the holidays to enjoy your favorite Italian dishes.
🎄 Olive Garden Thanksgiving Christmas Closures
Here’s a quick look at Olive Garden’s holiday hours this season:
Holiday | Olive Garden Status | Notes |
Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025) | ❌ Closed | All locations closed nationwide |
Christmas Day (Dec 25, 2025) | ❌ Closed | All locations closed nationwide |
Thanksgiving Eve (Nov 26) | ✅ Open | May close early – hours vary by location |
Christmas Eve (Dec 24) | ✅ Open | May close early – hours vary by location |
Day After Thanksgiving (Nov 28) | ✅ Open | Normal hours resume |
Day After Christmas (Dec 26) | ✅ Open | Normal hours resume |
🕒 Olive Garden Confirms Holiday Closures
Olive Garden will close all 900+ locations across the U.S. for 24 hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The company says the decision gives employees time to enjoy the holidays with their families — a tradition they’ve followed for years.
“We believe holidays are for family and friends,” the company said. “Our restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day so our team members can enjoy the holidays too.”
This thoughtful move reflects Olive Garden’s strong “family-first” culture, which values its team as much as its guests.
🍽️ What About Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve?
If you want to dine in or pick up takeout before the holidays, you can visit Olive Garden on Thanksgiving Eve or Christmas Eve.
However, hours may be shorter than usual. Many locations close early, often around 8:00 p.m., depending on customer flow and local management decisions.
💡 Tip: Check your local Olive Garden’s hours on the official website or Google Maps before visiting.
🔁 When Will Olive Garden Reopen?
All Olive Garden restaurants will reopen the next day — Friday after Thanksgiving and December 26 (Boxing Day) — and return to regular business hours.
So, if you’re craving your favorite Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, or endless breadsticks, you can enjoy them right after the holiday break.
❤️ Why Olive Garden Closes for the Holidays
Olive Garden’s closures are part of its long-standing belief in putting people first.
The company recognizes that its staff work hard all year, and they deserve time off to rest and celebrate with family.
Guests have often praised Olive Garden for this approach, saying it shows kindness and respect toward employees — something that fits the brand’s warm, family-style image.
“It’s nice to see a big restaurant care about its workers,” one loyal customer shared online.
🌍 International and Island Locations
Olive Garden restaurants outside the mainland U.S. — such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam — may have different schedules.
Some might open for limited hours or special menus based on local traditions and demand.
Always check directly with your nearest location if you’re visiting from another region.
🥗 Holiday Takeout & Catering Options
Even though Olive Garden is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, you can still enjoy your favorite Italian flavors at home.
Many families order Family Bundles and Catering Trays the day before the holiday. These are perfect for serving large groups or cozy dinners at home.
Popular options include:
- 🥖 Fresh Breadsticks with Alfredo Dipping Sauce
- 🍝 Chicken Alfredo Family Bundle
- 🍅 Lasagna Classico Tray
- 🥗 Olive Garden Salad with Italian Dressing
- 🍤 Shrimp Scampi or Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Order online or through the Olive Garden app and pick up your food before the restaurant closes on the holiday eve.
🎁 Final Thoughts
The Olive Garden Thanksgiving Christmas Closures reflect what the restaurant truly stands for — family, care, and togetherness.
To summarize:
- 🦃 Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025): Closed
- 🎄 Christmas Day (Dec 25, 2025): Closed
- 🍽️ Thanksgiving Eve & Christmas Eve: Open with shorter hours
- 🔁 Reopen: The following day with normal hours
Olive Garden’s choice to pause operations on both holidays shows deep respect for its employees and their families. While guests might miss their favorite Italian comfort food for a day, it’s a reminder that the holidays are about sharing time, not just meals.
Whether you visit before or after the closures, Olive Garden continues to welcome everyone with warmth, generosity, and the simple joy of good food — just like family.