Most banks are closed on Christmas Day, but some branches open on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day (December 25) is a federal holiday, so nearly all banks close their physical branches. The Federal Reserve does not process transfers that day, and most online banking systems run on a skeleton crew or shut down entirely. However, you can still access your money through ATMs and mobile apps on Christmas Day itself.
Christmas Eve (December 24) is a regular business day for most banks. Many branches stay open during normal hours, though some close early — often at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. instead of the usual 5 or 6 p.m. A few banks close entirely on Christmas Eve, so call ahead or check your bank's website if you need to visit in person that day.
If Christmas falls on a weekend, banks typically observe the holiday on the nearest weekday. When Christmas is on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday, December 24. When Christmas is on a Sunday, most banks close on Monday, December 26.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Christmas Day (December 25) because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and mobile apps remain available.
- Christmas Eve hours vary by bank — some stay open until normal closing time, others close at 1 or 2 p.m., and a small number close entirely.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments sent on Christmas Day will not process until the next business day, so plan ahead if you need money to move quickly.
- Check your specific bank's website or call the branch directly to confirm Christmas Eve hours, since policies differ between banks and sometimes between branches of the same bank.
What you can and cannot do on Christmas Day
ATMs work on Christmas Day just like any other day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and transfer money between your own accounts through the ATM network. Mobile banking apps also stay live, so you can check balances, pay bills to merchants, and move money between accounts you own at the same bank.
What does not work on Christmas Day is anything that requires the Federal Reserve or another bank to process the transaction. Wire transfers, ACH transfers to other banks, and checks you deposit will not clear until December 26 at the earliest. If you send a wire transfer on Christmas Day morning, the receiving bank will not see the money until the day after Christmas.
Credit card payments and bill payments to companies (not other banks) usually process normally on Christmas Day because those systems run separately from the Federal Reserve. However, the company receiving the payment may not post it to your account until the next business day.
Christmas Eve banking: call ahead for hours
Most banks operate on Christmas Eve, but hours are unpredictable. Some branches keep regular hours. Others close at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m. A small number of banks — particularly smaller regional banks and credit unions — close entirely on Christmas Eve.
The only reliable way to know is to call your branch or check your bank's website. Search "[your bank name] Christmas Eve hours" or log into your mobile app, which often displays holiday hours under the branch locator. If you need to visit in person on Christmas Eve, do it early in the day rather than waiting until afternoon.
If your bank closes on Christmas Eve and you need cash or a service that requires a teller, visit on December 23 instead. Most banks are open that day during normal hours.
When Christmas falls on a weekend
Federal holidays observed on weekends shift to the nearest weekday. When Christmas is on a Saturday (as it is in 2025), most banks close on Friday, December 24, and reopen on Monday, December 27. When Christmas is on a Sunday, most banks close on Monday, December 26, and reopen on Tuesday, December 27.
This matters for wire transfers and other time-sensitive transactions. If you need money to move between banks and Christmas falls on a weekend, send the transfer on the Thursday or Friday before the holiday, not on the day the holiday is observed. A transfer sent on Friday, December 26 (when Christmas is observed on Monday) will not process until Tuesday, December 27.
Planning ahead for holiday transactions
If you need to send a wire transfer or ACH payment before the holidays, do it by December 23. Anything sent on December 24 or later will not clear until after Christmas. The same applies to checks — if you deposit a check on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it will not clear until December 26 or later.
If you need cash for the holidays, withdraw it on December 23 or earlier. ATMs work on Christmas Day, but if the ATM runs out of cash (which can happen during heavy holiday use), you will not be able to get more until December 26.
For bill payments to companies, check the company's deadline. Many utilities and credit card companies have a cutoff time on December 24 for payments to post by December 25. If you miss that window, the payment posts on December 26, which may trigger a late fee depending on your due date.
Credit unions and smaller banks
Credit unions often have different holiday schedules than large national banks. Some credit unions close on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Others stay open on Christmas Eve but close on Christmas Day. A few stay open on both days.
Call your credit union directly or check its website for Christmas hours. Do not assume your credit union follows the same schedule as a national bank branch near you — they often do not.
The same applies to online-only banks and smaller regional banks. Some have no physical branches, so "closed on Christmas" means you cannot visit in person, but ATM and app access may still work. Others close their digital systems partially or entirely on Christmas Day. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Day?
Yes. Debit card transactions at stores, restaurants, and gas pumps work normally on Christmas Day because they process through merchant networks, not the Federal Reserve. ATM withdrawals also work. Only transfers between banks are delayed.
What if I need to deposit a check on Christmas Day?
You can deposit checks through an ATM or mobile app on Christmas Day. The check will not clear until December 26 at the earliest. If you need the money to be available immediately, you will have to wait until after Christmas.
Do online banks close on Christmas?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so there is no "closed" in the traditional sense. However, some online banks reduce customer service staff on Christmas Day, and wire transfers or ACH payments sent on Christmas Day will not process until December 26. Check your bank's website for holiday policies.
Can I pay my credit card bill on Christmas Day?
Yes, you can make a credit card payment on Christmas Day through your card issuer's website or app, and it will post to your account that day or the next. However, if you owe money to a different bank (like a wire transfer or ACH payment), that transfer will not process until December 26.
What if I need cash and the ATM is empty on Christmas Day?
Withdraw cash on December 23 or earlier. If an ATM runs out of cash on Christmas Day, it will not be refilled until December 26. Banks do not restock ATMs on federal holidays.