Applebee’s holiday hours are not governed by one publicly posted nationwide schedule. Individual restaurants publish their own regular operating hours, and Applebee’s official location information advises guests to check ahead during holidays and seasonal events.
That distinction matters in 2026, particularly for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s. A restaurant’s normal weekly hours should not automatically be treated as its holiday schedule. Before making a holiday visit, verify the specific Applebee’s restaurant you plan to use.
Quick Answer
Applebee’s does not currently publish a single nationwide 2026 holiday-hours calendar showing identical opening and closing times for every U.S. restaurant. Holiday schedules can differ by location. As of October 6, 2026, exact nationwide hours for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day 2026 are not publicly confirmed by Applebee’s. For the most reliable answer, check your selected restaurant through Applebee’s official location finder or contact the restaurant directly before visiting.
Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026 at a Glance
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Check selected restaurant |
| Easter Sunday | April 5 | Check selected restaurant |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Check selected restaurant |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Check selected restaurant |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Check selected restaurant |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Location-specific hours; annual Veterans Day program expected only when officially announced |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 | 2026 nationwide hours not publicly confirmed |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | 2026 nationwide hours not publicly confirmed |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | 2026 nationwide hours not publicly confirmed |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31 | Check selected restaurant |
The table deliberately avoids assigning opening or closing times where Applebee’s has not published a universal 2026 schedule.
Is Applebee’s Open on Holidays?
Some Applebee’s restaurants operate on holidays, but there is no current official nationwide calendar establishing that every location follows the same holiday schedule.
Applebee’s official restaurant pages publish location-specific regular hours. Those hours already differ among restaurants. Some official location pages also specifically recommend calling ahead during holidays and seasonal events.
For that reason, the correct holiday status depends on the individual restaurant and the particular holiday.
Is Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
As of October 6, 2026, Applebee’s has not published a nationwide Thanksgiving Day 2026 schedule confirming that every restaurant will be open or specifying universal Thanksgiving opening and closing times.
Do not assume that the regular Thursday hours displayed for a restaurant will automatically apply on Thanksgiving. Check the restaurant’s official location information closer to November 26 and call the restaurant if holiday-specific hours are not displayed.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, 2026.
A chainwide Christmas Day 2026 schedule with universal hours is not currently published by Applebee’s. Whether a particular restaurant opens, closes, or operates modified hours should therefore be verified with that restaurant.
Regular Friday operating hours are not sufficient evidence of Christmas Day hours.
Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Eve 2026?
Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026.
Applebee’s has not published one nationwide Christmas Eve 2026 closing time for all restaurants. A restaurant may have holiday-specific operating hours that differ from its normal Thursday schedule.
If you plan to dine later in the day, verify the selected restaurant’s December 24 hours rather than relying solely on its standard weekly schedule.
Is Applebee’s Open on New Year’s Day?
New Year’s Day 2026 was Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Applebee’s does not provide a universal holiday-hours calendar establishing identical New Year’s Day hours for every restaurant. Location-specific verification remains the appropriate way to determine whether a restaurant is open and what schedule it follows.
For the upcoming New Year’s Day on January 1, 2027, check your selected restaurant closer to the date because holiday hours can be updated separately from normal operating hours.
Is Applebee’s Open on New Year’s Eve 2026?
New Year’s Eve falls on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
There is currently no confirmed nationwide Applebee’s closing time for New Year’s Eve 2026. Do not assume every restaurant will remain open until its regular Thursday closing time.
Verify the specific location if you plan to visit later in the evening.
Applebee’s Hours on Other Major Holidays
For holidays such as Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, Applebee’s does not currently provide a single 2026 corporate holiday schedule that can safely be applied to every restaurant.
The safest interpretation is:
- Easter Sunday: Check the selected restaurant.
- Memorial Day: Check the selected restaurant.
- Independence Day: Check the selected restaurant.
- Labor Day: Check the selected restaurant.
- Thanksgiving: Exact 2026 nationwide hours are not currently confirmed.
- Christmas Eve: Exact 2026 nationwide hours are not currently confirmed.
- Christmas Day: Exact 2026 nationwide hours are not currently confirmed.
- New Year’s Eve: Check the selected restaurant.
This approach avoids confusing normal operating hours with special holiday schedules.
What About Veterans Day at Applebee’s?
Veterans Day deserves separate attention because Applebee’s has a longstanding annual Veterans Day program.
For Veterans Day 2025, Applebee’s officially announced that eligible veterans, active-duty military members, reserves, and National Guard members dining in participating U.S. restaurants on November 11 could receive a complimentary full-size entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. Applebee’s described 2025 as the 18th consecutive year of the tradition.
However, that was a 2025 promotion. It should not automatically be presented as the confirmed 2026 offer. Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, and guests should rely on Applebee’s 2026 announcement for the exact offer, eligibility requirements, participation terms, and restaurant availability.
Do Applebee’s Holiday Hours Vary by Location?
Yes, location-specific operating schedules are an important part of planning an Applebee’s visit.
Applebee’s official location pages show meaningful differences even during ordinary weeks. For example, restaurants checked during this review had different opening and closing schedules:
| Applebee’s Location | Regular Hours Observed | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Matteson, Illinois | 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. daily | Same posted schedule all week |
| Fort Worth, Texas – West Freeway | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. daily | Significantly later closing |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – City Line | 11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Sun.–Thu.; until midnight Fri.–Sat. | Later opening and weekend extension |
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Greentree Road | 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Sun.–Thu.; until midnight Fri.–Sat. | Weekend closing differs |
These four official restaurant pages were checked on October 6, 2026. The comparison demonstrates differences in regular operating hours; it does not establish each restaurant’s Thanksgiving or Christmas schedule.
Why Regular Hours May Not Tell You Holiday Hours
There are three schedules worth distinguishing when planning a holiday visit:
- Regular restaurant hours are the normal weekly opening and closing times shown for a location.
- Holiday hours are any special operating times that apply on a particular holiday.
- Service and ordering availability refers to options such as dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, or Carside To Go, which can differ by restaurant.
If an Applebee’s location normally closes at midnight on Friday, for example, that does not prove it will close at midnight when Christmas falls on a Friday.
Holiday-specific information should take priority whenever it is available.
How to Check Applebee’s Holiday Hours Near You
Use Applebee’s official location information first when checking holiday hours.
- Open the official Applebee’s restaurant finder.
- Search by city, ZIP code, or address.
- Select the exact restaurant you plan to visit.
- Review its current posted operating hours and restaurant information.
- Look for any holiday-specific notice or updated schedule.
- If the page displays only regular hours, call the restaurant directly to confirm holiday hours.
Google Maps can provide a useful secondary check, but third-party listings should not override current information supplied directly by the restaurant.
Check Ordering Availability Before a Holiday Visit
Applebee’s official restaurant pages identify available services on a location-by-location basis. Depending on the restaurant, those can include dine-in, online ordering, takeout, delivery, catering, pickup, or Carside To Go.
Do not assume that a service normally offered by a restaurant will necessarily follow the same schedule on a holiday. If you intend to order rather than dine in, confirm that the desired ordering option is available for the selected restaurant and date.
Holiday Menu and Seasonal Promotions
Holiday operating hours and holiday promotions are separate issues.
Applebee’s has offered seasonal food and beverage promotions in previous holiday seasons. For example, its November 2025 announcements included seasonal holiday cocktails and winter menu promotions.
Those offers were tied to the 2025 holiday season and should not be treated as the 2026 holiday menu. Applebee’s had not published its comparable late-2026 holiday-season announcement as of October 6, 2026.
Check current Applebee’s promotional information closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas if you are specifically interested in seasonal menu items or holiday drinks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Applebee’s open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Applebee’s has not currently published a nationwide Thanksgiving 2026 schedule confirming the status or exact hours of every restaurant. Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026, so check your selected location closer to the date.
Is Applebee’s open on Christmas Day 2026?
There is no currently published universal Christmas Day 2026 schedule establishing identical hours for every Applebee’s restaurant. Verify the specific location before visiting on December 25.
What time does Applebee’s close on Christmas Eve?
There is no single confirmed nationwide Applebee’s Christmas Eve 2026 closing time. Check your restaurant’s official location information or call directly.
Does Applebee’s have reduced holiday hours?
A particular restaurant may use a schedule different from its normal hours on a holiday, but Applebee’s does not currently publish one 2026 reduced-hours schedule that applies to every location.
Are Applebee’s regular hours the same at every restaurant?
No. Official Applebee’s location pages show different regular operating schedules. Some restaurants open or close later than others, which is another reason to check the exact location you intend to visit.
Does Applebee’s have special holiday menu items?
Applebee’s has offered seasonal food and beverage promotions during previous holiday seasons, but past promotions should not be assumed to return in 2026. Check current seasonal information for the latest offerings.
How can I find Applebee’s holiday hours near me?
Search for your restaurant through Applebee’s official location finder and review the location-specific information. If holiday hours are not explicitly displayed, call the restaurant directly before making the trip.
Will Applebee’s delivery and takeout be available on holidays?
Availability should be checked for the specific restaurant. Applebee’s official location pages show which ordering services individual restaurants normally offer, but holiday availability and operating times may differ.
Sources & Verification
This guide was researched and fact-checked on October 6, 2026 using Applebee’s official restaurant finder, individual official Applebee’s location pages, Applebee’s current 2026 newsroom, and official Applebee’s announcements from 2025 for historical context.
The 2026 newsroom was also reviewed to avoid presenting previous holiday promotions as current offers. Exact Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day 2026 nationwide hours were not presented as fact because a universal corporate schedule for those dates was not publicly confirmed at the time of verification.
Before You Go
Applebee’s holiday hours should be checked at the individual restaurant level rather than assumed from a generic national timetable. This is especially important for Thanksgiving on November 26, Christmas Eve on December 24, and Christmas Day on December 25, 2026.
Check the official Applebee’s location information shortly before your visit. If only normal weekly hours appear and no holiday schedule is specified, call the restaurant directly for confirmation.