Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026: Christmas, Thanksgiving & More

Planning to eat at 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 is closed or operating on a reduced schedule.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar does not have one publicly confirmed holiday timetable that applies to every U.S. location. Some restaurants may remain open on major holidays, while others close or adjust their opening and closing times.

Christmas Day and Thanksgiving are particularly important to check because operating schedules can differ between restaurants. This guide explains what is confirmed, what remains uncertain for 2026, and how to find accurate holiday hours for your nearest Applebee’s.

Quick Answer

Is Applebee’s open on holidays? Yes, some Applebee’s restaurants operate on major holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, but availability depends on the location. Select locations were reported open on those holidays in 2025. As of October 12, 2026, a complete nationwide holiday schedule for the remainder of 2026 has not been publicly confirmed. For Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s, check your selected restaurant’s official location information and call to confirm its holiday hours.

Applebee’s Holiday Hours 2026 at a Glance

The following table lists major U.S. holidays in 2026 and what can currently be established about Applebee’s operations.

Important: This is a holiday planning guide, not a nationwide confirmation that every restaurant will open on the dates listed. Where exact hours are unavailable, individual restaurant verification is necessary.

Is Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.

Applebee’s has had participating restaurants open on Thanksgiving in previous years. In particular, holiday restaurant coverage published on November 27, 2025, identified Applebee’s among the chains with locations operating on Thanksgiving.

However, that information does not establish a universal opening policy for Thanksgiving 2026.

What Time Does Applebee’s Open on Thanksgiving?

A nationwide Thanksgiving opening time for 2026 has not been confirmed.

Individual restaurants may have different holiday arrangements. Even when a location normally opens for lunch, its Thanksgiving schedule may not follow its usual weekday hours.

Before visiting, confirm the restaurant’s opening time, closing time, and dine-in availability.

Does Applebee’s Serve Thanksgiving Dinner?

Applebee’s may be an option for Thanksgiving dining where restaurants are open.

However, a special nationwide Thanksgiving dinner menu or traditional turkey meal should not be assumed. The availability of ordinary menu items, limited-time dishes, and any Thanksgiving-specific offerings requires current confirmation.

Customers looking for a traditional holiday meal should ask their selected restaurant whether it has an advertised Thanksgiving special rather than assuming one is available.

Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Day 2026?

Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, 2026.

Applebee’s has previously kept selected locations open on Christmas Day. In December 2025, reports confirmed that some restaurants were operating, while many others were closed.

This means Applebee’s is not necessarily closed everywhere on Christmas. It also does not mean every location will be open in 2026.

Applebee’s Christmas Day Opening and Closing Times

There is no verified chain-wide Christmas Day opening or closing time for 2026.

A restaurant operating on Christmas may have a special schedule different from its normal Friday hours. A location that is usually open late may close earlier, while another may not operate at all.

For an accurate answer, verify the exact restaurant rather than relying on regular weekly hours.

Can You Dine In at Applebee’s on Christmas?

Dine-in service depends on whether the individual restaurant is open and accepting guests.

For holiday family meals or group dining, contacting the location directly is especially useful. Ask whether it will offer normal seating, whether its regular menu will be available, and whether any special holiday restrictions apply.

Is Applebee’s Open on Christmas Eve 2026?

Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, December 24, 2026.

Applebee’s restaurants operated on Christmas Eve in 2025, although special holiday hours were reported.

For example, December 2025 restaurant coverage reported an 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve schedule for Applebee’s. That historical schedule should not be treated as the confirmed operating hours for every restaurant in 2026.

Does Applebee’s Close Early on Christmas Eve?

An earlier closing time is possible, but the exact schedule must be confirmed locally.

Christmas Eve opening and closing times can affect dinner plans, late-night visits, and takeout pickup arrangements.

Customers should confirm when the dining room closes and whether takeout ordering ends earlier than the posted restaurant closing time.

Applebee’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Hours

New Year’s holidays are another period when restaurant operating schedules require additional attention.

Is Applebee’s Open on New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 31.

Applebee’s has not established a publicly verified nationwide opening and closing timetable for that date.

Customers planning dinner before midnight should check whether their selected restaurant will operate its regular Thursday schedule or use special holiday hours.

Do not assume that a restaurant normally open until midnight will remain open until the New Year’s countdown.

Is Applebee’s Open on New Year’s Day?

New Year’s Day 2026 fell on Thursday, January 1.

Location-specific information is necessary to determine which restaurants operated and their exact hours. A past or future New Year’s Day opening schedule should not automatically be applied to other years.

For New Year’s Day 2027, which falls on Friday, January 1, confirm the restaurant’s updated schedule as the holiday approaches.

Applebee’s Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day Hours

Not every holiday involves the same operating considerations. Some customers are looking for a regular lunch or dinner, while others are planning a larger gathering.

Is Applebee’s Open on Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday fell on April 5, 2026.

No universal Easter operating schedule has been confirmed for all Applebee’s restaurants.

Customers should distinguish between a restaurant being open for regular meals and offering a special Easter brunch or holiday menu. One does not establish the other.

Is Applebee’s Open on Memorial Day?

Memorial Day was Monday, May 25, 2026.

Applebee’s does not have a verified nationwide Memorial Day schedule that can be applied to every location without checking.

Any holiday-specific dining offers or discounts should also be verified separately from restaurant operating hours.

Is Applebee’s Open on the Fourth of July?

Independence Day fell on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

If an Applebee’s location normally operates on Saturdays, that does not automatically guarantee its usual hours on Independence Day.

Customers should check the specific restaurant’s published schedule for the holiday.

Is Applebee’s Open on Labor Day?

Labor Day was Monday, September 7, 2026.

No single nationwide Labor Day operating timetable has been established for every Applebee’s location.

For future Labor Day visits, confirm the selected restaurant’s lunch, dinner, and closing hours.

Applebee’s Veterans Day Hours and Free Meal Offers

Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Applebee’s has an established history of offering complimentary meals to eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.

In 2025, the company officially announced a complimentary full-size entrée from a designated menu for qualifying guests at participating U.S. restaurants.

The 2025 promotion applied to eligible dine-in guests and included specific proof-of-service requirements. Beverages and gratuity were excluded.

Will Applebee’s Offer Free Meals on Veterans Day 2026?

A 2026 Veterans Day promotion should not be assumed from the previous year’s announcement.

As of October 12, 2026, a verified nationwide announcement establishing the full terms of a 2026 Veterans Day meal offer was not identified.

Customers should check Applebee’s official announcements for eligibility, participating locations, required documentation, and applicable restrictions.

Are Veterans Day Hours Different?

A Veterans Day promotion does not necessarily mean a restaurant will extend its opening hours.

Participation in a promotional offer and the restaurant’s daily operating schedule are separate matters.

Confirm both before visiting.

Do Applebee’s Holiday Hours Vary by Location?

Yes. Individual Applebee’s restaurants can have different operating schedules, and holiday availability should be confirmed separately.

Applebee’s operates through a franchise business model, which helps explain why individual locations may have different operating arrangements.

A restaurant’s geographic location, local circumstances, and operating decisions can affect holiday availability.

For example, an Applebee’s restaurant at 4801 McKnight Road in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lists regular opening hours of 11 a.m. to midnight throughout the week on its official location page.

Those are its published regular hours, not proof of its Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s hours.

This distinction matters because customers sometimes mistake standard location schedules for holiday-specific schedules.

How to Check Applebee’s Holiday Hours Near You

The most reliable method is to start with Applebee’s official restaurant locator and then confirm the selected location’s holiday schedule.

1. Open Applebee’s official website.
2. Select the restaurant or location-finder option.
3. Enter your city, state, or ZIP code.
4. Choose the exact Applebee’s restaurant you plan to visit.
5. Review its published operating hours and contact information.
6. Call the restaurant to confirm whether those hours apply to your holiday.
7. If ordering food, check the available pickup or delivery time separately.

Can Google Maps Show Applebee’s Holiday Hours?

Google Maps can provide useful supplemental information about restaurant operating hours and may display special holiday notices.

However, map listings should not be treated as definitive proof of a holiday schedule if the restaurant has not confirmed it.

If Google Maps and official restaurant information disagree, direct confirmation with the restaurant is the safest approach.

Why Regular Opening Hours Are Not Enough

There are several different types of restaurant schedules:

One schedule cannot automatically substitute for another. For example, a restaurant open on Christmas Eve may not offer its usual Happy Hour promotion.

Can You Order Applebee’s Takeout or Delivery on Holidays?

Applebee’s offers takeout and delivery services, but the available ordering methods and schedules can vary by restaurant.

Applebee’s official delivery information specifically explains that delivery hours depend on location and recommends contacting the selected restaurant for details.

Applebee’s Holiday Takeout

Takeout may be an option when the restaurant is open and accepting pickup orders.

Before placing a holiday order, verify the selected location, available pickup window, and current menu.

Placing an order during normal operating hours does not guarantee that pickup will be available at the same time on a major holiday.

Applebee’s Holiday Delivery

Delivery availability depends on the selected restaurant’s operating hours and delivery service arrangements.

Even when a restaurant is open for dine-in service, delivery may operate on a different schedule.

Customers should check the ordering system for their preferred holiday, delivery address, and available time.

Does Applebee’s Have a Special Holiday Menu or Promotions?

Applebee’s has offered seasonal food, drinks, and limited-time promotions during previous holiday periods.

However, a seasonal promotion does not establish that a restaurant will be open on the holiday itself.

In November 2025, Applebee’s officially announced holiday-themed cocktails and seasonal food additions. Its announcements also specified participation and availability restrictions.

These were 2025 promotions, not confirmed offers for the 2026 holiday season.

Are Holiday Menu Prices the Same Everywhere?

Not necessarily.

Applebee’s promotional announcements frequently identify location participation and other restrictions. Menu selection and pricing may also vary.

For current holiday menu prices, review the official menu for your selected restaurant instead of relying on promotional information from previous years.

Does Applebee’s Have Christmas or Thanksgiving Specials?

Specific Christmas and Thanksgiving offers for 2026 should be checked against current official announcements.

A restaurant may offer its regular menu without having a dedicated holiday meal. Similarly, a seasonal cocktail or dessert promotion does not necessarily mean there is a special Christmas dinner package.

Sources & Verification

This guide was reviewed on October 12, 2026, using Applebee’s official restaurant locator, published location information, delivery guidance, corporate announcements, and the company’s 2025 Veterans Day and seasonal promotion releases.

Holiday opening information from 2025, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day restaurant operations, was also cross-checked against dated reporting from Axios and FOX.

The reviewed information supports the conclusion that selected Applebee’s restaurants have operated on major holidays, but it does not establish a complete nationwide holiday-hours schedule for 2026.

Historical opening times and promotional terms have therefore been identified as historical rather than presented as guaranteed current arrangements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Applebee’s open on Christmas Day 2026?

Some Applebee’s locations operated on Christmas Day in 2025, but opening status for December 25, 2026, has not been universally confirmed. Check your selected restaurant before visiting.

What time does Applebee’s close on Christmas Eve?

There is no verified nationwide Christmas Eve closing time for 2026. Earlier closing may apply, so confirm the schedule with your local restaurant.

Is Applebee’s open on Thanksgiving 2026?

Applebee’s had locations open on Thanksgiving in 2025. For Thursday, November 26, 2026, the exact opening status and hours require individual restaurant confirmation.

Is Applebee’s open on New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve availability depends on the selected location. Do not assume the restaurant will maintain its regular late-night operating hours on December 31.

Does Applebee’s stay open late on holidays?

Not necessarily. Regular closing times do not guarantee late-night service during holidays. Special holiday schedules may apply.

Is Applebee’s open on Easter Sunday?

Easter operating hours are location-specific. Confirm the restaurant’s schedule and any special dining availability before making plans.

Does Applebee’s offer free meals on Veterans Day?

Applebee’s provided a complimentary entrée promotion for qualifying veterans and active-duty military personnel at participating U.S. locations on November 11, 2025. The terms and availability of any 2026 offer require a separate official announcement.

Can I order Applebee’s delivery on Christmas or Thanksgiving?

Delivery may be available from participating restaurants that are open and accepting delivery orders. Availability and delivery hours must be checked for the selected holiday and location.

Before You Go

Applebee’s holiday hours in 2026 are not governed by one publicly confirmed schedule for every restaurant. Selected locations have operated on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day in previous years, but that history does not guarantee the same availability in 2026.

For the most accurate information, use Applebee’s official restaurant locator, select the exact location, and confirm its holiday operating hours directly. If you plan to order takeout or delivery, verify those service hours separately before making your plans.

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