Are Banks Open on Christmas Eve? (December 24th)

Everyone knows banks are closed each year on December 25th, Christmas Day. Christmas is a regular federal holiday that all financial institutions adhere to. But what about the day before Christmas, Christmas Eve?

Although a Presidential Executive Order made Christmas Eve a federal holiday in 2020 for employees of the federal government, it is not a holiday most private businesses close for. This includes financial institutions.

Is Christmas Eve a Federal Holiday?

Christmas Eve is widely treated like a holiday, but it is not a federal holiday on the official U.S. federal holiday calendar. That distinction matters because many employers, banks, and public offices only close automatically for official federal holidays. When they close on Christmas Eve, it is usually a policy choice rather than a legal requirement.

This is why Christmas Eve can feel inconsistent from place to place. One office may be closed all day, while another is open with limited hours, even within the same city.

Why So Many Businesses Close Early on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is one of the most common “early closure” days of the year. Even businesses that stay open often shorten their hours to manage staffing, reduce operating costs, and accommodate employees who travel or have family obligations.

For customers, the effect is predictable: the later it gets on Christmas Eve, the fewer options you have. If you need to handle something in person, such as shopping, shipping, banking, or a last-minute errand, it is usually safer to treat Christmas Eve like a half-day rather than a normal weekday.

Are Banks Open on Christmas Eve?

In many areas, banks are technically open on Christmas Eve, but often with reduced hours. Some branches may close early, and certain services may be limited, especially later in the day.

What complicates this is that “open” does not always mean “fully operational.” Even if the lobby is open, there may be cut-off times for wires, same-day transactions, and certain account services. This is why customers sometimes assume the bank is open, show up late in the afternoon, and discover the services they need are already unavailable.

Most banks will be open on Christmas Eve.

The following is a list of banks open on Christmas Eve, December 24th, unless it occurs on a Sunday. Some of these banks may have limited hours.

In addition to the list above, you can always visit your bank’s website or call them to confirm their hours on Christmas Eve.

If your bank is closed on Christmas Eve, use an ATM or the bank’s web and mobile apps, which will be up and running.

What Happens to Deposits and Transfers Made on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a common day for people to deposit checks, move money, and pay bills before the holiday. The main issue is timing: even if you make a deposit or initiate a transfer on Christmas Eve, it may not fully post or settle until the next business day.

This matters most for ACH transfers, bill-pay, and check processing. Card purchases and ATM access usually continue normally, but the back-end processing schedule can still shift because of holiday staffing and operational cutoffs.

If the transaction is time-sensitive, the safest move is to treat Christmas Eve as a day where “earlier is better.”

Christmas Eve Shipping and Delivery Expectations

People often assume Christmas Eve is a “normal” delivery day, but many delivery networks operate with modified schedules. Some services cut off pickups early, and some delivery routes may be reduced depending on volume and staffing.

The practical takeaway is that Christmas Eve is not an ideal day to depend on last-minute shipping. If you need something delivered by a certain time, it is better to assume limited capacity and plan for earlier shipping dates rather than expecting normal operations on the 24th.

Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, and Restaurants on Christmas Eve

Essential services tend to remain open on Christmas Eve, but hours can vary significantly. Grocery stores are often busy and may close earlier than usual. Pharmacies may be open, but pharmacy counters sometimes close before the retail portion of the store closes.

Restaurants are one of the most reliable options on Christmas Eve, particularly for takeout. However, Christmas Eve is also a high-demand evening, so wait times can be longer and reservations may be limited in many areas.

If you want to avoid frustration, it helps to plan meals, prescriptions, and grocery runs earlier in the day.

Why Christmas Eve Creates More Confusion Than Christmas Day

Christmas Day is straightforward: most places are closed, and people plan around that expectation. Christmas Eve is the opposite. Many places are open, but not always for a full day, and not always with full services.

That gray area is what creates problems. People assume they can “just do it tomorrow,” only to find out that tomorrow is Christmas Day and everything is shut down. Or they assume they can do it “later today,” only to find out the business closed early.

In practical terms, Christmas Eve is the day where you should confirm hours in advance instead of relying on normal routines.

How to Plan Christmas Eve Errands Without Wasting a Trip

If you need to visit multiple places on Christmas Eve, start with the most time-sensitive errand first. That usually means banks, shipping counters, government-related services, and any business where special processing or cutoffs apply.

Next, prioritize businesses that are most likely to close early, such as smaller retail shops and service providers. Save flexible errands like grocery shopping at larger stores or picking up household items for last, since those businesses often maintain the most extended hours.

If you follow that order, you reduce the risk of showing up to a locked door after making time for the trip.

Federal Bank Holidays

Other federal banking holidays include the following. A full schedule of Bank Holidays is available here.