Is Popeyes Open on Holidays? Christmas, Thanksgiving & Holiday Hours

Popeyes is closed at most locations on Christmas Day, but stays open on the majority of other holidays — usually with reduced hours. Because nearly every Popeyes is independently franchise-owned, holiday schedules vary more than at almost any other major chain, so the times below reflect general patterns, not a guaranteed nationwide policy.

If you’re craving a chicken sandwich on a holiday and don’t want to risk a closed door, here’s a clear breakdown of which holidays Popeyes is open, closed, or running shorter hours — plus the fastest way to confirm your local store.

Popeyes Holiday Hours 2026 at a Glance

Holiday	Typical Status	Typical Hours
New Year’s Day	Open (reduced)	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
MLK Day	Open (regular)	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Presidents’ Day	Open (regular)	Regular hours
Easter Sunday	Varies (many open, reduced)	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Memorial Day	Open (regular/reduced)	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Juneteenth	Open (regular)	Regular hours
July 4th	Open (regular/reduced)	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Labor Day	Open (regular/reduced)	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Halloween	Open (regular)	Regular hours
Thanksgiving	Varies (many open reduced, some closed)	11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Black Friday	Open (sometimes extended)	10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Christmas Eve	Open (reduced)	10:00 AM – 6:00/7:00 PM
Christmas Day	Closed at most locations	Closed (a few open 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
New Year’s Eve	Open (reduced)	10:00 AM – 6:00/8:00 PM

Because individual franchisees set their own holiday schedules, always verify your specific location before heading out — especially on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

Is Popeyes Open on Christmas Day?

For most people, the answer is no — the majority of Popeyes locations close on Christmas Day so staff can spend the holiday with family. A small number of franchise stores in busy cities, airports, or travel hubs may open with reduced hours (often around 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM), but you should never assume your local store is open on December 25th without confirming first.

Is Popeyes Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes — most Popeyes locations are open on Christmas Eve, but they typically close early, usually somewhere between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Mall-based locations may close even earlier to match the shopping center’s schedule. If you want Popeyes on Christmas Eve, go earlier in the day to be safe, or place a mobile order before mid-afternoon.

Is Popeyes Open on Thanksgiving?

This one varies. Many Popeyes locations stay open on Thanksgiving with reduced hours (commonly around 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM), which sets the chain apart from most sit-down restaurants that close entirely. However, a meaningful share of stores do close for the day. Thanksgiving is actually a busy day for Popeyes — families who skip cooking and travelers keep the drive-thru moving — so if your local store is open, expect peak lines around lunchtime. Confirm your specific location before relying on it.

Is Popeyes Open on Easter?

Generally yes — most Popeyes locations are open on Easter Sunday, though often with slightly reduced hours, typically closing around 8:00 PM. Some stores do close for the holiday, so it’s worth a quick check. The biggest Easter rush hits in the early afternoon (around 1:00–3:00 PM) as families head out after morning events, so going right at opening means shorter lines and fresher food.

Is Popeyes Open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?

Popeyes is usually open on both, with adjusted hours. On New Year’s Eve, expect normal morning and afternoon service with an early close (often around 6:00–8:00 PM). On New Year’s Day, many locations open on a reduced schedule, frequently closing earlier than usual (around 6:00 PM at some stores). Hours vary widely here, so confirm locally.

Is Popeyes Open on July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day?

Yes — Popeyes is open on these summer holidays at most locations, usually keeping regular or only slightly reduced hours (commonly 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM). These are popular fast-food days, so while you can count on most stores being open, busier locations may see longer-than-usual waits in the afternoon and evening.

Why Popeyes Holiday Hours Vary So Much

Nearly every Popeyes restaurant in the United States is franchise-owned, meaning corporate sets general guidelines but each individual operator makes the final call on holiday hours. That’s why one Popeyes might run a full schedule on Thanksgiving while another nearby closes by mid-afternoon — or skips the day entirely.

The biggest factors behind the variation include:

• Franchise ownership — each owner decides whether to open and for how long.
• Location type — airport, mall, downtown, and highway stores often follow different rules than suburban ones.
• Local demand and staffing — high-traffic areas are more likely to stay open; understaffed stores may close.
• City and state regulations — some local laws affect holiday operating hours.

This is exactly why checking your specific store matters more on holidays than on any regular day.

How to Check Your Local Popeyes Holiday Hours

Don’t guess — confirm before you drive. The most reliable ways to check holiday hours:

1. Official Popeyes store locator — enter your ZIP code or city for your store’s exact hours and drive-thru status.
2. Google Maps / “Popeyes near me” — Google updates holiday hours and shows live open/closed status plus busy times.
3. Delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) — if the store accepts orders, it’s open; these update in real time.
4. The Popeyes app — confirm hours and mobile-order ahead so your food is ready on arrival.
5. Call the store directly — the surest method, especially on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

Best Time to Visit Popeyes on a Holiday

If your local store is open on a holiday, timing makes all the difference. Go right at opening (around 10:00 AM) for the shortest lines and the freshest food of the day. Avoid the midday and early-evening rush — lunch (12:00–2:00 PM) and dinner (5:00–8:00 PM) are the busiest windows, and holiday drive-thru waits can stretch to 15–25 minutes at popular locations. Mobile-ordering ahead through the app is the easiest way to skip the wait entirely.

For day-to-day timing outside the holidays, see our guide to regular Popeyes hours, and check the full Popeyes menu with prices to plan your order before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Popeyes open on Christmas Day?

No, most Popeyes locations are closed on Christmas Day. A few stores in busy areas may open with reduced hours, so confirm your local store before visiting.

Is Popeyes open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, most locations are open on Christmas Eve but close early, usually around 6:00–7:00 PM. Mall locations may close sooner.

Is Popeyes open on Thanksgiving?

It varies. Many locations stay open with reduced hours (around 11:00 AM–8:00 PM), but some close for the day. Always check your specific store.

Is Popeyes open on Easter?

Generally yes. Most locations open on Easter Sunday with slightly reduced hours, typically closing around 8:00 PM, though some stores close for the holiday.

Is Popeyes open on New Year’s Day?

Yes, most locations open on New Year’s Day, usually with reduced hours and an earlier close. Hours vary by store.

Is Popeyes open on July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day?

Yes, most Popeyes locations stay open on these holidays with regular or slightly reduced hours, typically 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.