Christmas Eve is not a federal bank holiday

December 24th is not a federal bank holiday in the United States. Banks, the Federal Reserve, and most government offices remain open on Christmas Eve. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or conduct other banking business, you can do so on Christmas Eve during normal business hours.

However, some individual banks and credit unions may choose to close early or stay closed entirely on Christmas Eve. This varies by institution and by location. If you have banking to do on December 24th, contact your bank directly to confirm their hours rather than assuming they will be open.

The federal bank holiday is December 25th — Christmas Day itself — when banks, the Federal Reserve, and most government offices close. If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the observed holiday is usually moved to the nearest weekday, but Christmas Day 2024 falls on a Monday, so the holiday is observed on that date.

Key Takeaways

  • Christmas Eve (December 24th) is not a federal bank holiday, so most banks operate on their regular schedule.
  • Individual banks may close early or stay closed on Christmas Eve, so you should check with your specific bank about their hours.
  • Christmas Day (December 25th) is the federal bank holiday when banks and government offices close.
  • If you need to deposit checks or access funds before the holiday, plan to do so on December 24th during regular business hours.
  • ATMs and online banking remain available even when physical bank branches are closed.

What happens to deposits made on Christmas Eve

Deposits made on Christmas Eve during business hours are processed the same way as any other business day. If you deposit a check before your bank's cutoff time on December 24th, it will be treated as a same-day deposit. The funds may be available immediately for debit card use, though the full check clearing process may take one to two business days depending on the amount and your bank's policy.

If you deposit money after your bank's cutoff time on Christmas Eve — or if you use an ATM or mobile deposit after hours — the transaction will be processed on the next business day, which is December 26th (since December 25th is a holiday). This means the funds will not be available until December 26th at the earliest.

ATMs and online banking on Christmas Eve

ATMs operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on Christmas Eve. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at an ATM at any time on December 24th. However, some ATMs may run out of cash if they are not restocked before the holiday period, so plan ahead if you need large amounts of cash.

Online banking and mobile banking apps work normally on Christmas Eve. You can transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and check your balance through your bank's website or app at any time. However, payments you send on Christmas Eve may not be processed until December 26th if the receiving bank is closed on December 25th.

Planning ahead for the Christmas holiday period

If you need to conduct banking business before Christmas, do it on December 24th during regular business hours. Most banks close on December 25th (Christmas Day) and reopen on December 26th. Some banks may also close on December 26th if it falls on a Friday and they observe the day after Thanksgiving or other local holidays, though this is less common.

If you have bills due around Christmas, pay them online or by mail several days before December 25th to ensure they are processed on time. If you need cash for holiday shopping or travel, withdraw it on December 24th or earlier. If you are expecting a direct deposit or payment around Christmas, check with your employer or the paying organization to confirm the exact date it will be deposited, since the holiday may shift the timing.

State and local holidays around Christmas Eve

Some states and cities observe additional holidays around Christmas that may affect local government offices or schools, but these do not affect federal banking hours. For example, some states may observe December 26th as a holiday if Christmas falls on a weekend, but this does not close federal banks.

If you work for a state or local government, your employer may give you December 24th off as a holiday or allow early closing, but this is a decision made by that employer, not a federal requirement. Private employers also set their own holiday schedules, so check with your HR department if you are unsure whether you work on Christmas Eve.

What to do if you need banking services on Christmas Day

If you need to access funds on December 25th, use an ATM to withdraw cash or check your balance. ATMs work 24 hours a day even when bank branches are closed. If you need to speak to someone at your bank or conduct a transaction that requires a teller, you will need to wait until December 26th when branches reopen.

If you have an emergency and need to reach your bank on Christmas Day, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. Many banks have phone lines staffed on major holidays for urgent issues, though response times may be slower than usual. Online banking and mobile apps remain available at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on Christmas Eve and have it clear by Christmas?

If you deposit a check before your bank's cutoff time on December 24th, it will be processed as a same-day deposit. The funds may be available for immediate use via debit card, but the full check clearing process typically takes one to two business days. Since December 25th is a holiday, the check will not fully clear until December 26th at the earliest.

Will my direct deposit go through on Christmas Day?

Direct deposits scheduled for December 25th will be processed on that date by the Federal Reserve, but your bank may not post the funds to your account until December 26th when the branch reopens. Contact your employer or the organization sending the payment to confirm the exact deposit date if it matters for your plans.

What if my bank is closed on December 26th?

Most banks reopen on December 26th, but some may stay closed if they observe an additional holiday. Call your bank's main number or check their website to confirm their hours on December 26th. You can also use an ATM or online banking to access your funds even if the branch is closed.

Do credit unions follow the same holiday schedule as banks?

Most credit unions observe the same federal holidays as banks, so they will be closed on December 25th. However, some credit unions may have different hours on December 24th or December 26th. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their holiday schedule.

Can I pay bills online on Christmas Eve if they are due on Christmas Day?

Yes, you can pay bills online at any time on December 24th. However, the payment may not be processed until December 26th if the receiving organization is closed on December 25th. If a bill is due on Christmas Day, pay it several days early to ensure it arrives on time and avoid late fees.