Olive Garden Holiday Hours Complete 2025 Guide

As someone who’s spent more than a few holidays dining out with family — especially when nobody wants to cook — I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to find out last minute that your favorite restaurant is closed. Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that planning ahead is the best way to avoid the disappointment of arriving somewhere only to find the doors shut or limited hours messing with your plans. That’s why I put together this complete, no-fluff guide on Olive Garden Holiday Hours for 2025. Whether you’re craving their famous breadsticks on New Year’s Day or planning a cozy Thanksgiving lunch, I’ve laid out exactly when you can (and can’t) count on Olive Garden being open.

Holiday dining is a special time. It’s about family, relaxation, and enjoying good food without the hassle of cooking or cleaning up. But even more than that, it’s about making sure you don’t waste your time or energy driving somewhere that’s unexpectedly closed. Olive Garden is a popular spot for many of us during the holidays, so knowing their hours in advance can save you a ton of hassle and frustration.

Is Olive Garden Open During the Holidays in 2025?

In short: sometimes. Olive Garden Holiday Hours don’t follow the same playbook as every other chain. From my experience, the company tries to strike a balance between giving their employees time off during major holidays while also catering to the many customers who want to dine out during these times. That’s why their holiday schedule tends to be a mix of fully open days, partial hours, and complete closures on the most significant holidays.

While Olive Garden stays open on most federal holidays, there are a couple of key exceptions — and reduced hours are quite common, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, when many families want to gather at home. This mix can sometimes catch people off guard, so I always recommend double-checking with your local Olive Garden before heading out, just in case they’ve made special accommodations or changes in hours that vary by region.

Let’s break down the Olive Garden Holiday Hours clearly so you can plan your meals with confidence.

What Holidays Does Olive Garden Stay Open?

Here are the major holidays in 2025 when most Olive Garden locations are open according to their holiday hours:

• New Year’s Day
  
• Easter Sunday
  
• Memorial Day
  
• Independence Day (4th of July)
  
• Labor Day
  
• New Year’s Eve
  

On these days, Olive Garden Holiday Hours typically include modified service — often opening later or closing early — but some busier or larger locations might operate on their usual schedule. For example, on New Year’s Day, many families are eager to grab a relaxed meal after their celebrations, so Olive Garden tends to open their doors and offer the full experience, even if the hours are trimmed a bit. Similarly, on Independence Day, while some restaurants close early, Olive Garden often stays open longer to accommodate diners wanting to enjoy a holiday meal.

It’s also worth noting that during these open holidays, Olive Garden may offer special holiday-themed menu items or promotions, adding to the festive mood.

Which Holidays Is Olive Garden Closed?

While Olive Garden makes an effort to stay open during many holidays, there are two key dates when they close all locations nationwide:

• Thanksgiving Day
  
• Christmas Day
  

These closures allow employees to spend important time with their families — a policy I personally respect deeply, having worked in service industries myself where holidays often meant working instead of celebrating. It’s a reminder that behind every restaurant’s doors are real people who deserve a break, too.

Still, Olive Garden Holiday Hours can vary slightly by region or franchise, so I always suggest giving your local Olive Garden a quick call if you’re unsure about their schedule, especially if you’re traveling or planning a special outing.

Reduced Hours vs Full Service Days

Some days fall into a gray area where Olive Garden Holiday Hours may allow limited operations rather than full service. These are days when they might close earlier than usual or offer a limited menu:

• Christmas Eve – Early closing, often around 8 PM
  
• New Year’s Eve – Extended hours in some cases, depending on location
  
• Easter Sunday – Limited brunch or lunch service in some areas
  

From personal experience, I’ve found that Christmas Eve at Olive Garden can be a great time to get a quieter meal before the big day, but it’s important to be mindful of the earlier closing time. In one memorable Christmas Eve in Denver, a sudden snowstorm meant the restaurant closed promptly at 8 PM, and they stopped taking new guests early to get everyone home safely.

If you’re dining with a group during these “in-between” holiday hours, it’s definitely worth calling ahead to confirm Olive Garden Holiday Hours and see if you need to make any special arrangements.

Olive Garden Holiday Schedule Overview (2025)

This table provides a quick glance at the major holidays and their typical Olive Garden Holiday Hours. It’s a helpful reference I keep saved on my phone for the whole year — saves so much hassle!

Olive Garden’s Regular Weekly Hours (Non-Holiday)

Even though Olive Garden Holiday Hours differ on special days, their weekly schedule is pretty consistent throughout the year:

Monday to Friday: Typical Operating Times

• Lunch: 11 AM – 3 PM
  
• Dinner: 3 PM – 10 PM
  

On Fridays, some locations stay open later, often until 11 PM, catering to people looking to unwind at the start of the weekend.

Weekend Hours (Saturday & Sunday)

• Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
  
• Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
  

Occasionally, brunch hours may be offered during promotional seasons on weekends, usually between 11 AM and 2 PM.

Olive Garden Weekly Hours Summary

Knowing both regular and Olive Garden Holiday Hours helps avoid confusion. Personally, I always cross-reference this table when planning visits close to holidays, so I don’t miss out on my favorite dishes during peak times.

Tips for Visiting Olive Garden on a Holiday

From my own experience — especially when I took my parents out on Easter — it’s best to prepare ahead during Olive Garden Holiday Hours. Here are some practical tips that can make your visit smoother and more enjoyable:

• Join the Waitlist Online
  Use the Olive Garden app or website to add yourself to the waitlist before you arrive. This is a huge time saver during peak holiday hours. You’ll get a text notification when your table is ready, so you can avoid standing outside or crowded waiting areas.
  
• Save Time During Peak Olive Garden Holiday Hours
  Holidays tend to bring in bigger crowds, especially lunch and dinner times. Arriving early or late (outside of prime dining times) can help you avoid the rush.
  
• Consider Reservations for Peak Holidays
  Although Olive Garden doesn’t offer standard reservations, during certain Olive Garden Holiday Hours, some locations may use third-party platforms or offer call-ahead seating. I recommend trying this during big family-oriented holidays like:
  
  • Mother’s Day
    
  • Easter Sunday
    
  • New Year’s Eve
    
• Check Local Location Hours
  Some locations might have unique hours due to local ordinances or community events. A quick call can save you a wasted trip.
  
• Have a Backup Plan
  If Olive Garden is unexpectedly closed or full, it’s always good to have a nearby restaurant or food option in mind. This takes away the stress if plans need to shift last minute.
  

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re craving soup and salad on New Year’s or planning a big family meal during Labor Day weekend, knowing your local Olive Garden Holiday Hours can save a lot of stress and uncertainty. I’ve learned the hard way (trust me — Christmas Eve, snowstorm, Denver — not fun) that checking Olive Garden Holiday Hours in advance is absolutely key to a smooth holiday dining experience.

Planning ahead gives you peace of mind, more time to enjoy the company of your family and friends, and the best chance to savor your favorite Italian dishes without the hassle. So bookmark this guide, call ahead if needed, and enjoy your Olive Garden favorites during the holidays. Happy holidays — and happy eating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)