Most banks close early or stay closed on Christmas Eve
Bank hours on Christmas Eve depend on whether your bank observes it as a holiday. Some banks close at their normal time, some close early (often at 1 or 2 p.m.), and some close all day. The safest approach is to call your specific branch or check their website before you go, because hours vary by location and by bank.
Christmas Eve itself is not a federal banking holiday — Christmas Day is. This means banks are not required by law to close on December 24th. However, many choose to close early or all day because staff want to leave early, or because customer traffic is light. A few banks stay open at normal hours.
If you need cash or want to do banking on Christmas Eve, plan ahead. The day before Christmas Eve is usually safer than waiting until the 24th itself.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas Eve closing times vary by bank and by branch location, so calling ahead is the only way to know for certain.
- Many banks close early on Christmas Eve (between 1 and 3 p.m.) rather than staying open until their normal closing time.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM on Christmas Eve even if the branch is closed, as long as your account has funds.
- If you need to speak to someone or do something that requires a teller, plan to visit on December 23rd instead.
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" online. Most banks post their holiday schedule on their website in early December. You can also call your branch directly — the phone line usually tells you the hours before you speak to anyone.
If you bank with a large national chain like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, or Citibank, check their main website first. They often list all branches and their holiday hours in one place. If you bank with a smaller or local bank, call the branch you plan to visit, because hours may differ between locations.
Using an ATM if the branch is closed
An ATM works on Christmas Eve even if the bank building is closed. As long as your account has money and your card works, you can withdraw cash, check your balance, or deposit a check at an ATM any time of day or night.
The only limit is how much cash the ATM has in it. On busy days before holidays, ATMs can run out of money. If you need a large amount of cash, withdraw it a day or two before Christmas Eve rather than waiting until the 24th.
What you cannot do without a teller on Christmas Eve
If the branch is closed, you cannot speak to a teller, open a new account, get a cashier's check, report a lost card in person, or handle disputes. You also cannot make a large cash deposit if the ATM deposit slot is full.
For urgent issues, many banks have a customer service phone line that works even when branches are closed. You can also use mobile banking apps to transfer money, pay bills, or check your account. If something truly cannot wait, plan to visit on December 23rd instead.
Planning ahead for the days around Christmas
December 23rd (the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas) is usually the safest day to handle banking if you need a teller. Branches are open at normal hours, and staff are still there. December 24th is risky because of early closures. December 25th (Christmas Day) all banks are closed by federal law.
If you need cash for the holiday period, withdraw it on December 23rd or earlier. If you need to pay a bill or transfer money, do it by December 23rd as well, because some transactions take a day or two to process.
Online and mobile banking during the holiday
You can use your bank's website or app to transfer money, pay bills, check your balance, and move funds between accounts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any day. These services run 24 hours and do not close for holidays.
Keep in mind that transfers between your own accounts usually happen when ready, but transfers to other people's accounts or payments to businesses may take one to three business days. If you are paying a bill that is due on December 25th, send the payment by December 23rd to be safe.
What happens if you need emergency cash on Christmas Day
All banks are closed on Christmas Day itself. Your only option for cash is an ATM, as long as it has money in it. If you run out of cash and need more, you will have to wait until December 26th when branches reopen.
Plan your cash needs for the entire holiday period before December 24th. Withdraw enough to cover December 25th and 26th if you think you will need it. If you use a debit card instead of cash, you can still make purchases at stores and restaurants even though banks are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Christmas Eve if the branch is closed?
You can deposit a check in an ATM envelope slot if the ATM has one, but only if there is room. If the slot is full, you will have to wait until the branch reopens. For a large or urgent deposit, visit on December 23rd instead.
Do credit unions have different hours than banks on Christmas Eve?
Credit unions vary just like banks do. Some close early, some close all day, and some stay open at normal hours. Call your credit union branch to confirm their Christmas Eve hours — do not assume they match a nearby bank.
What if I need a cashier's check on Christmas Eve?
You cannot get a cashier's check if the branch is closed. Plan to visit on December 23rd or earlier. If you absolutely need one on the 24th, call the branch in the morning to confirm they are open and have staff available.
Will my bill payment go through if I submit it on Christmas Eve?
If you pay online or by phone on Christmas Eve, the payment will process, but it may not reach the company until December 26th or later because December 25th is a holiday. If a bill is due on December 25th, submit payment by December 23rd.
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, and online merchants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day even though banks are closed. You can only withdraw cash from an ATM, not from a store register, if the bank is closed.