Most banks close early or stay shut on Christmas Eve
Whether your bank is open on Christmas Eve depends on the day of the week it falls on and your bank's individual holiday schedule. If Christmas Eve lands on a weekday, many banks close at noon or 1 p.m. instead of their normal closing time. Some banks close entirely. If Christmas Eve is a Saturday or Sunday, your bank is almost certainly closed — and will stay closed through Christmas Day as well.
The safest approach is to call your specific bank branch or check their website before you go. Banks post their holiday hours weeks in advance, and the schedule varies by location. A branch in one town may have different hours than a branch ten miles away.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank directly or check their website to confirm Christmas Eve hours, because closing times vary by branch and year.
- If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, expect your bank to close early — often at noon or 1 p.m. — rather than stay open until normal closing time.
- ATMs and online banking work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can withdraw cash or transfer money without visiting a branch.
- If you need cash or a service that requires a teller, plan to visit your bank on the business day before Christmas Eve.
How to find your bank's Christmas Eve hours
The fastest way is to search "[Your Bank Name] Christmas Eve hours" or "[Your Bank Name] holiday hours 2024" (or the current year). Most major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — publish their holiday schedule on their main website under "Locations" or "Hours."
If you bank at a smaller regional or local bank, call the branch directly. The phone number is on your debit card, your statements, or the bank's website. Ask specifically about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, because some branches may have different schedules than others in the same bank.
You can also visit the branch in person a few days before Christmas and ask a teller. They will tell you exactly when that location closes on Christmas Eve.
What you can do on Christmas Eve without a branch
ATMs work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance at any ATM — whether it belongs to your bank or another bank (though out-of-network ATMs may charge a fee). ATMs do not close for holidays.
Online banking and mobile apps work around the clock. You can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, send money to other people, and check your balance from your phone or computer on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any holiday. Transfers between accounts at the same bank usually show up the same day or the next business day.
Transfers to other banks may take longer. If you send money to someone else's bank account on Christmas Eve, it may not arrive until after Christmas, depending on the banks involved and the time you send it. Call your bank if you need to know the exact timing.
Planning ahead if you need cash or a teller service
If you need to deposit a check, withdraw a large amount of cash, or handle something that requires speaking to a teller, do it on the business day before Christmas Eve. This is usually December 23rd, though the exact date depends on when Christmas falls that year.
Do not wait until Christmas Eve morning. Branches that close early fill up with customers in the hours before closing, and you may not get in line in time.
If Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday or Sunday, visit your bank on Friday. If it falls on a Monday, visit on Friday or the previous Thursday.
What happens if you need money on Christmas Day
Banks are closed on Christmas Day, but you have options. Use an ATM to withdraw cash. Pay bills or transfer money through your bank's website or app. If you need to deposit a check, you can usually do it through a mobile check deposit feature in your bank's app — photograph the front and back of the check and submit it. The check will be processed when the bank reopens.
If you have an emergency and need to reach your bank on Christmas Day, some banks have customer service phone lines open for urgent issues. Call the number on the back of your debit card to see if yours does.
Holiday schedules for major U.S. banks
| Bank | Christmas Eve (weekday) | Christmas Day |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | Closes early or closed (varies by branch) | Closed |
| Bank of America | Closes early or closed (varies by branch) | Closed |
| Wells Fargo | Closes early or closed (varies by branch) | Closed |
| Citibank | Closes early or closed (varies by branch) | Closed |
| U.S. Bank | Closes early or closed (varies by branch) | Closed |
Every bank's schedule is different by location. Check with your specific branch before Christmas Eve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Yes. You can use your debit card to buy things, withdraw cash from ATMs, and pay bills online on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch and speak to a teller, because branches are closed or have limited hours.
Will my check deposit go through on Christmas Eve?
If you deposit a check at an ATM or through mobile check deposit on Christmas Eve, it will be processed when the bank reopens after Christmas. The exact timing depends on your bank, but it usually takes one to two business days after the bank reopens.
What if I need to wire money on Christmas Eve?
Wire transfers sent before your bank's cutoff time on Christmas Eve may go through the same day. Wires sent after the cutoff or on Christmas Day will be processed the next business day. Call your bank to ask what time the cutoff is.
Are credit unions open on Christmas Eve?
Credit union hours vary by location, just like banks. Most close early or stay shut on Christmas Eve. Call your credit union branch or check their website for their specific holiday schedule.
What if Christmas Eve is a Saturday?
If Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday, your bank is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (Christmas Day). Visit on Friday if you need to see a teller.