Christmas Eve is not a federal bank holiday, so most banks and government offices stay open
December 24th is not on the federal holiday calendar. Banks operate on their normal schedule, the stock market trades, and federal offices do not close. Some individual banks or credit unions may close early or stay closed as a matter of internal policy, but there is no government mandate requiring it.
The federal holiday is Christmas Day — December 25th — not the day before. If you need to handle banking business on Christmas Eve, you can do so during regular business hours, though you may find shorter hours at some branches as the day approaches closing time.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas Eve (December 24th) is not a federal holiday, so banks, post offices, and government offices operate normally.
- Christmas Day (December 25th) is the federal holiday when most banks and government offices close.
- Some individual banks close early on Christmas Eve or may have reduced hours, so check with your branch before you go.
- If you need to deposit checks or handle time-sensitive banking on December 24th, plan to do it during morning or early afternoon hours.
What stays open and what closes on December 24th
Banks themselves remain open on Christmas Eve under federal law. The Federal Reserve does not treat it as a holiday, and banking networks process transactions normally. However, individual banks may choose to close branches early — some close at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. instead of their usual 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., and a few may close entirely depending on local custom or staffing.
The U.S. Post Office operates on its regular schedule on Christmas Eve. Mail is delivered, and post offices stay open during normal hours, though some smaller branches may have reduced hours. Stock markets (the NYSE and NASDAQ) trade normally on December 24th unless it falls on a weekend.
Government offices — Social Security, the IRS, state DMVs, and local agencies — all work normally on Christmas Eve. If you need to visit a government office, you can do so without the closure you would face on December 25th.
When to expect actual bank closures: December 25th and 26th
Christmas Day (December 25th) is when banks close. This is a federal holiday, and the Federal Reserve does not process payments that day. If December 25th falls on a weekend, the observed holiday may shift — when Christmas falls on a Saturday, many banks close on Friday December 24th instead, and when it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday December 26th.
In 2024, Christmas falls on a Monday, so banks close on December 25th. In 2025, Christmas falls on a Wednesday, so banks close on December 25th. Check your bank's holiday schedule if the date falls on a weekend, because the observed holiday date can change.
The day after Christmas (December 26th) is not a federal holiday, so banks reopen. However, if December 25th falls on a Sunday, some banks observe the holiday on Monday December 26th instead, which means they would be closed that day.
How to handle banking needs around Christmas Eve
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on December 24th, do it in the morning or early afternoon. Many branches reduce hours as the day goes on, and ATMs may run out of cash if demand is high. Do not wait until late afternoon expecting normal service.
If you have a time-sensitive payment due around Christmas, send it several days early. Checks mailed on December 24th may not clear until after the holiday, and wire transfers initiated on Christmas Eve may not process until December 26th or later depending on your bank's cutoff times.
For online banking, most banks process transactions normally on Christmas Eve. Transfers between your own accounts, bill payments, and other digital transactions usually go through without delay. However, transfers to other banks or external accounts may not settle until after the holiday.
What happens if you need banking services on Christmas Day
If December 25th falls on a weekday, all banks close. You can use ATMs to withdraw cash or check balances, but you cannot speak to a teller, open an account, or handle transactions that require staff. Online banking continues to work, though transfers to other institutions may not settle until the next business day.
If you have an urgent banking need on Christmas Day itself — a fraud dispute, a lost card, or a payment that must go out — call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff phone lines on federal holidays for emergencies, though wait times are longer and some services are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on Christmas Eve?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 regardless of whether the bank is open. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM accepts deposits), and check your balance on Christmas Eve without any restrictions.
Will my paycheck deposit on Christmas Eve if I get paid that day?
Direct deposits scheduled for December 24th usually process normally because the Federal Reserve handles them. However, if your employer's payroll system is closed on Christmas Eve, the deposit may be delayed until December 26th. Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure.
What if I need to mail something important before Christmas?
The post office is open on Christmas Eve, so you can mail packages and letters that day. However, mail sent on December 24th may not arrive before December 25th depending on distance and service type. Use Priority Mail Express if you need may provide delivery before Christmas.
Do credit unions close on Christmas Eve?
Most credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, so they stay open on Christmas Eve and close on Christmas Day. However, some credit unions may have their own policies. Call your credit union to confirm their hours on December 24th.
If Christmas falls on a Saturday, is the bank holiday on Friday or Saturday?
When Christmas falls on a Saturday, the federal observed holiday is Friday, December 24th. Banks close on Friday that year, not on Saturday. When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the observed holiday is Monday, December 26th, and banks close that day instead.