Chipotle Christmas Eve Hours 2026: Open, But Closing Early
Christmas Eve is one of only two days a year when Chipotle changes its hours rather than simply closing, and getting it wrong means arriving at a locked door. Stores open normally in the morning and close several hours early in the evening so crews can get home. Here are the hours and how to plan around them.
Chipotle is open on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026, opening normally at around 10:45 AM but closing early, typically between 6:00 and 8:00 PM local time. The following day, Christmas Day, every location is closed, one of only two annual closures.
- Open Christmas Eve with a normal 10:45 AM opening.
- Early close, typically 6:00 to 8:00 PM, varying by location.
- Christmas Day: closed nationwide, every location, every channel.
- December 26: normal hours resume.
- Order by mid-afternoon to be safe, especially for delivery.
- Catering must be collected before the early close.
Christmas Eve Hours
| Location type | December 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Standalone / strip mall | 10:45 AM – ~6:00 to 8:00 PM |
| Enclosed mall | Follows mall schedule, often earlier |
| Airport | Varies with terminal traffic |
| Campus | Often closed for winter break |
The opening is normal, it is the closing that changes, and it varies by several hours between locations. The Chipotle app shows live hours for your specific store, which is worth checking on the day itself rather than relying on a general figure.
The Full Holiday Week
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| December 23 | Open, normal hours, busy |
| December 24 (Christmas Eve) | Open, early close ~6–8 PM |
| December 25 (Christmas Day) | Closed nationwide |
| December 26 | Open, normal hours |
| December 31 (New Year Eve) | Open, early close ~6–8 PM |
| January 1 | Open, normal hours |
Chipotle closes only twice a year, on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Every other day, including Christmas Eve and New Year Eve, is open with adjusted evening hours.
Planning Your Order
- Order by mid-afternoon. The 4:00 to 6:00 PM window gets cut off at earlier-closing stores.
- Check your store in the app on the day, closing times differ by several hours between locations.
- Delivery ends when the store does, so do not leave a delivery order until evening.
- Catering must be collected before the early close, nothing is fulfilled December 25.
- Craving on Christmas Day? It waits until the 26th, or try a homemade version from our copycat recipes.
New Year Eve follows the same early-close pattern, detailed at Chipotle New Year Eve hours, and the full annual calendar is on our hours guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Chipotle close on Christmas Eve?
Most locations close early on December 24, typically between 6:00 and 8:00 PM local time, after opening normally at around 10:45 AM. Exact closing times vary by store, so check the Chipotle app for your location.
Is Chipotle open on Christmas Eve 2026?
Yes, Chipotle is open on December 24 with normal opening hours and an early evening close. It is Christmas Day itself, December 25, when every location closes.
Is Chipotle open on Christmas Day?
No. Every Chipotle location closes on December 25, one of only two company-wide closures each year alongside Thanksgiving. No channel operates, including app pickup and delivery.
When does Chipotle reopen after Christmas?
December 26 with normal hours, typically 10:45 AM to 10:00 PM. It is usually a busy day with holiday-week traffic.
Can I get Chipotle delivery on Christmas Eve?
Yes, until the early close. Delivery windows shut when the restaurant does, so ordering by mid-afternoon is safer than waiting until evening on December 24.
Is Chipotle catering available on Christmas Eve?
Yes, but it must be collected or delivered before the early closing time. Nothing is fulfilled on Christmas Day, so schedule catering for December 24 or December 26.
Why does Chipotle close early on Christmas Eve?
To let restaurant crews finish in time to spend the evening with their families, the same reason the chain closes entirely on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
Methodology
Holiday hours reflect Chipotle standard operating pattern, closed company-wide only on Thanksgiving and Christmas, verified against the official store locator and app as of October 2026. Individual locations in malls, airports, and on campuses follow venue hours and can differ; confirm your store before travelling.
