Cookout Christmas Hours 2026, Is Cookout Open on Christmas Day
Cook Out is closed on Christmas Day at every store. On Christmas Eve it opens at 10:30 AM as usual and closes early at 11:00 PM, then it is back to regular hours on December 26.
- 10:30 AM to 11 PMChristmas eve
- ClosedChristmas day
- RegularDec 26
- OpenNew year
Christmas Day is one of those times when food plans can fall apart fast, especially when your favorite restaurant is closed. If Cook Out is on your list, it is natural to wonder about its holiday schedule before you head out.
This guide covers Cook Out’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hours for the 2026 holiday season, the full holiday schedule, and easy ways to plan a Christmas meal around Cook Out favorites. Our hours come from what Cook Out itself has posted, not guesses.
Quick answer: No, Cook Out is not open on Christmas Day. Every store is closed on December 25. On Christmas Eve, stores open at 10:30 AM and close early at 11:00 PM instead of 3:00 AM. Cook Out reopens with regular hours on December 26. Cook Out has posted this same schedule on its official X account.
Is Cook Out Open on Christmas Day?
No. Cook Out closes every store on Christmas Day, including the drive-thru and walk-up window. In Cook Out’s Christmas post on X, the company said stores “will close early at 11pm on Christmas Eve and be closed on Christmas Day.” It has posted the same plan in past years too.
Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day are the two holidays when every Cook Out closes. Easter Sunday varies by store, and on most other holidays stores keep their regular hours. See our Cookout Hours guide for the full year.
Photo for illustration.
Is Cook Out Open on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Cook Out is open on Christmas Eve, but it closes early. Stores open at the usual 10:30 AM and close at 11:00 PM, about 4 hours earlier than a normal Thursday night.
| Regular Thursday | Christmas Eve 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens | 10:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Closes | 3:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Drive-thru and walk-up | Open all hours | Open until 11:00 PM |
| Full menu | Yes | Yes, until closing |
Christmas Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday. If you plan a late-night run, get there well before 11:00 PM, because drive-thru lines can be long right before closing. Find the store nearest you on our Cookout Locations page.
Photo for illustration.
Cook Out Christmas and New Year Hours 2026
Here is the full schedule for the 2026 holiday season at most Cook Out stores.
| Date | Holiday | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 24, 2026 | Christmas Eve | Open | 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | Closed | Closed all day |
| Sat, Dec 26, 2026 | Day after Christmas | Open | 10:30 AM to 4:00 AM |
| Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | New Year’s Eve | Open | 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | New Year’s Day | Open | 10:30 AM to 4:00 AM |
Christmas hours are from Cook Out’s posts on X. Regular hours are 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM, or 4:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, at most stores. A few stores open or close an hour earlier or later.
Cook Out Holiday Hours for the Whole Year
Cook Out keeps a simple holiday pattern. Every store closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, Easter varies by store, and most other holidays keep regular hours.
| Holiday | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open | Regular hours |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Usually open | Regular hours |
| Presidents’ Day | Usually open | Regular hours |
| Easter Sunday | Varies | Check your store |
| Memorial Day | Usually open | Regular hours |
| Independence Day | Open | Regular hours |
| Labor Day | Usually open | Regular hours |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | Closed all day |
| Black Friday | Open | Regular hours |
| Christmas Eve | Open | Closes at 11:00 PM |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Closed all day |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | Regular hours |
Matches our Cookout Hours guide. Cook Out has confirmed its Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Independence Day hours on X. Days marked “Usually open” have no announced closure.
Do Cook Out Holiday Hours Vary by Location?
A little. The Christmas Eve 11:00 PM closing and the Christmas Day closure apply across the chain, but each store’s normal hours can differ by an hour or so. For example, a few stores stay open until 4:00 AM on weeknights or 5:00 AM on weekends.
Cook Out doesn’t post store hours on its own website. To be sure about your store:
- Call the store. It is the most accurate way to check on a holiday.
- Check Google Maps. Look at the store’s listed hours and recent reviews.
- Check Cook Out on X. Cook Out has posted its Christmas hours there in past years.
- Use our locations page. Find every open store on our Cookout Locations page.
Tips for Visiting Cook Out Around Christmas
- Go early on Christmas Eve. Lunch and early evening are usually easier than the last hour before 11:00 PM.
- Order trays for the family. A Cookout Tray is about $7.99 with a main, 2 sides and a drink.
- Plan ahead for December 25. Every store is closed, so pick up food on the 24th if you want Cook Out on Christmas.
- No app or online ordering. Cook Out has no official app. A few stores can be ordered through delivery services. See our Cookout Delivery guide.
- Pay fast in a busy line. Many stores take a tap at the window. See our guide to paying with Apple Pay at Cook Out.
- Gifting Cook Out? See what works on our Cookout Gift Cards guide.
Photo for illustration.
Planning a Christmas Meal with Cook Out Favorites
Even with Cook Out closed on Christmas Day, you can make it part of the holiday. Pick up food on Christmas Eve and serve it as an easy, low-stress meal.
| Group Size | Easy Cook Out Order | About Before Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 2 Cookout Trays | $15.98 |
| 4 people | 4 Cookout Trays | $31.96 |
| 6 people | 6 Cookout Trays | $47.94 |
| Add dessert | A milkshake for each person | $2.79 to $3.99 each |
Prices match our full Cookout menu (October 2026) and vary by store. Build trays on our Cookout Tray Menu.
What Travels Best
- Burgers and BBQ reheat well. See our Cookout Burgers guide.
- Hushpuppies crisp up again in an oven or air fryer. See our Hush Puppies guide.
- Fries are best eaten fresh. See our Cookout Fries guide.
- Milkshakes melt fast, so drink them soon or keep them in the freezer. See our Cookout Milkshake Menu.
Keeping Leftovers Safe
Put leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours, and eat them within 3 to 4 days, which is the general USDA guideline for cooked food. Reheat burgers and chicken until hot all the way through, and use an oven or air fryer instead of a microwave to keep the crunch.
Why Is Cook Out Closed on Christmas Day?
Cook Out doesn’t give a reason in its posts, it simply wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. Christmas and Thanksgiving are the two holidays when the whole chain closes, which gives its crews the day off. Thinking about working there? See our Cookout Careers guide.
Useful Links
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Head Office | 15 Laura Lane, Suite 300, Thomasville, NC 27360, USA |
| Phone Number | 1-866-547-0011 |
| instagram.com/cookout | |
| facebook.com/cookout | |
| x.com/CookOut | |
| About Cook Out | cookout.com/company |
| Official Website | cookout.com |
| Full Menu With Prices | Cookout menu with prices |
| Locations | Cookout locations |
| Employment | Cookout careers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Planning ahead is the key to enjoying Cook Out over the holidays. Stores close early at 11:00 PM on Christmas Eve and stay closed all day on Christmas Day, then regular hours return on December 26. Pick up trays and shakes on the 24th, and you can still have your Cook Out favorites at the holiday table.
Check every other holiday on our Cookout Hours guide, and plan your order with our Cookout Calorie Calculator.
