Most banks close early or stay closed on Christmas Eve
Bank hours on Christmas Eve depend on whether your bank observes it as a holiday. Many large national banks — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank — treat Christmas Eve as a regular business day but close at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. instead of their normal closing time, usually 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Some regional banks and credit unions close entirely on Christmas Eve. A few stay open normal hours.
The safest approach is to call your specific branch the day before or check your bank's website for its Christmas Eve schedule. Bank websites usually post holiday hours in November or early December, often under a "Holiday Hours" or "Locations" section. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, most banks let you check branch hours through their mobile app or online banking portal.
If you need cash or to deposit a check on Christmas Eve, plan to visit in the morning. ATMs and mobile deposit (taking a photo of a check through your phone) work 24/7 at most banks, so those are your backup if the branch closes before you can get there.
Key Takeaways
- Most national banks close at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve instead of staying open until 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
- Some regional banks and credit unions close entirely on Christmas Eve, so you need to check your specific branch.
- Call your branch or check your bank's website for exact hours — holiday schedules are posted weeks in advance.
- ATMs and mobile deposit work around the clock, so you can deposit checks or withdraw cash even if the branch is closed.
- If you need to visit in person, go early in the day on Christmas Eve rather than waiting until afternoon.
How to find your bank's Christmas Eve hours
Start with your bank's official website. Most have a branch locator tool where you enter your zip code or address and see hours for that specific location. Christmas Eve hours are usually listed separately from regular hours, often labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Special Hours."
If the website does not show Christmas Eve hours, call the branch directly. The phone number is on the locator page. Ask specifically about Christmas Eve — do not assume it follows the regular schedule. Credit unions and smaller regional banks are less likely to post holiday hours online, so a phone call is often the only way to know for sure.
Check this information a few days before Christmas Eve, not on the day itself. Branch staff are busier than usual in the days leading up to Christmas, and you want time to plan if your branch closes early or all day.
What you can do if your branch is closed
ATMs work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at virtually all banks. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has mobile deposit or an envelope slot), and check your balance without visiting a teller. If your bank's ATM is inside a closed branch, look for an ATM in a different location — most banks have multiple ATMs across town, and many are in grocery stores, pharmacies, or gas stations.
Mobile deposit lets you photograph the front and back of a check using your bank's app and deposit it without visiting a branch or ATM. This works 24/7 at most banks. The check usually clears within one or two business days, though deposits made on Christmas Eve may not process until after the holiday.
Wire transfers and bill payments through online banking also work around the clock. If you need to send money or pay a bill on Christmas Eve, you can do both from your computer or phone without visiting the branch.
When Christmas Eve falls on a weekend
If Christmas Eve is on a Saturday or Sunday, most banks are already closed that day. Your branch will not open on Christmas Eve weekend. Plan your banking for Friday before the weekend, or use ATMs and mobile deposit over the weekend.
Christmas Day itself is a federal holiday, so all banks close. If you need cash or to deposit something on Christmas Day, use an ATM or mobile deposit. Transactions posted on Christmas Day usually process on December 26.
Planning ahead for the Christmas period
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check around Christmas, do it earlier in December rather than waiting until Christmas Eve. This avoids the rush, gives you more time to handle any problems, and means you do not have to worry about branch hours.
If you are expecting a paycheck or a refund to deposit before Christmas, use mobile deposit as soon as it arrives. Do not wait until Christmas Eve. Checks deposited on December 24 may not clear until after the holiday, which can delay access to the money.
For bills due around Christmas, pay them online or by phone a few days early. Do not wait until Christmas Eve to mail a check or visit the branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my bank's ATM on Christmas Eve if the branch is closed?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 at nearly all banks, even when the branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if the ATM supports it), and check your balance. If the ATM is inside a closed branch building, find another ATM at a different location or in a retail store.
Will a check I deposit on Christmas Eve clear before Christmas?
Probably not. Checks deposited on Christmas Eve usually do not process until December 26 or later, depending on when the bank processes deposits. If you need the money before Christmas, deposit it earlier in the week. Mobile deposit and ATM deposits follow the same timeline.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Christmas Eve?
Call your branch in the morning before it closes, or call the bank's customer service line (usually on the back of your debit card). Many banks have phone support available even when branches are closed. For urgent issues, some banks offer chat or email support through their website or app.
Do all banks close on Christmas Eve?
No. Most national banks close early (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), some regional banks and credit unions close all day, and a few stay open normal hours. You need to check your specific bank and branch. Call ahead or check the website to be sure.
Can I pay bills or transfer money on Christmas Eve if the branch is closed?
Yes. Online banking, bill pay, and wire transfers work 24/7 through your bank's website or app, regardless of branch hours. You do not need to visit a branch to move money or pay bills on Christmas Eve.