Most banks will close early or stay closed on Christmas Eve 2025
Christmas Eve falls on Monday, December 24, 2025. Most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — will either close entirely that day or close by early afternoon, typically between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Some regional and community banks follow the same pattern; others stay open regular hours. Your bank's specific hours depend on the branch location and the bank's own policy.
If you need to do banking on Christmas Eve, call your branch directly or check your bank's website before you go. Do not rely on the main customer service number — it often routes you to a national line that may not know your local branch's hours. The branch phone number is usually on your debit card or in your online banking portal.
Banks are closed on Christmas Day itself (Tuesday, December 25, 2025) because it is a federal holiday. ATMs and online banking will work normally on both days.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks close early on Christmas Eve (December 24) or do not open at all, with closing times between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Regional and community banks vary widely, so you must contact your specific branch to confirm hours.
- Banks are completely closed on Christmas Day (December 25) as a federal holiday.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Call your branch directly rather than the main customer service line to get accurate local hours.
How to find your bank's Christmas Eve hours
The fastest way is to log into your online banking account. Most banks display branch hours on the home page or in a "Locations" or "Find a Branch" section. You can usually filter by the branch you use and see the holiday schedule listed separately from regular hours.
If you do not use online banking, call the branch directly. The number is on your debit card, on paper statements, or in your bank's phone directory. Ask specifically about Monday, December 24, and whether the branch will be open and for how long. Do not assume all branches of the same bank have the same hours — some locations may stay open longer than others.
You can also visit the bank's website and search for "holiday hours" or "Christmas hours." Major banks publish this information by early December. If you cannot find it online, a phone call to the branch takes two minutes and removes the guesswork.
What you can do on Christmas Eve if your bank is closed
ATMs work 24 hours on Christmas Eve, so you can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM accepts mobile deposits or check deposits), and check your balance anytime. Online banking is also available around the clock — you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people through your bank's app or website.
If you need to speak to someone or handle a transaction that requires a teller, you have two options: visit an early-closing branch before it closes (typically by 2 or 3 p.m.), or wait until December 26 (Friday). Most banks reopen on the day after Christmas with normal hours.
If you use a credit union instead of a bank, check with your credit union directly — holiday hours vary more widely among credit unions than among national banks. Some stay open regular hours on Christmas Eve; others close early or all day.
Banking needs that cannot wait until after Christmas
If you need to deposit a check and your ATM does not accept check deposits, you will have to visit a branch before it closes. Most modern ATMs do accept checks, but older machines or some branches may not. Test your ATM ahead of time if you think you might need to deposit on Christmas Eve.
If you need to dispute a charge, report fraud, or handle an account problem that requires a person, call your bank's customer service line. Many banks staff phone lines on Christmas Eve even if branches are closed. The number is on your debit card or statement. Be aware that wait times are usually longer on holidays.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers (moving money to another bank) can be sent through online banking on Christmas Eve, but they may not process until December 26 or later, depending on the receiving bank's holiday schedule. If the transfer is urgent, send it as early as possible on Christmas Eve morning.
Planning ahead for the Christmas and New Year period
Banks close on both Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1, 2026). If you have bills due on those dates or shortly after, schedule payments a few days early through online banking. Most banks let you set a future payment date, so you can arrange for a bill to be paid on December 23 or December 26 instead.
If you are expecting a deposit — such as a paycheck or a tax refund — and it is scheduled to arrive on December 25 or January 1, it will likely post on the next business day instead. Banks do not process deposits on federal holidays, so a deposit scheduled for Christmas will usually show up on December 26.
Stock up on cash before Christmas Eve if you plan to use cash over the holiday. ATMs will work, but if your ATM is out of service or you hit a withdrawal limit, you will not be able to get cash from a branch until after Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank be open on Christmas Eve afternoon?
Most major banks close between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, though some branches may close earlier or stay closed all day. Call your branch to confirm. A few banks and credit unions stay open regular hours, so you cannot assume without checking.
Can I use my ATM on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24 hours on both days. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM accepts them), and check your balance anytime. Online banking also works normally.
What if I need to deposit a check on Christmas Eve and my ATM does not take checks?
Visit your branch before it closes, usually by 2 or 3 p.m. If you miss the closing time, you will have to wait until December 26. Consider using mobile check deposit through your bank's app if you have not set it up yet — it works anytime.
Will my paycheck or refund deposit on Christmas Day?
No. Banks do not process deposits on federal holidays. A deposit scheduled for December 25 will post on December 26 instead. If you need the money by Christmas, arrange for an earlier deposit date if possible.
Do credit unions have different hours than banks on Christmas Eve?
Yes, credit unions vary more widely. Some stay open regular hours; others close early or all day. Contact your credit union directly to find out its Christmas Eve schedule.