Are Banks Open on Christmas Eve?

Most major banks are open on Christmas Eve, even though it is a federal holiday and generally recognized as a bank holiday. Still, some banks do observe Christmas Eve. We will discuss which ones will open their doors before Santa lands his sleigh. And don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to access your money for some last-minute gift shopping, regardless of whether your bank is opened or closed on Christmas Eve.

If you need help saving money, a financial advisor can work with you to create a plan for setting and reaching goals.

Which Banks Will Open on Christmas Eve?

The following banks are scheduled to be open on Christmas Eve most years:

Which Banks Will Close on Christmas Eve?

The best way to figure out if your bank will close on Christmas Eve is to call or visit a branch ahead of time and ask. Note that many individual branches are free to make their own schedules, so even if a bank is listed above, the branch nearest you may be closed or may close early. Be sure to ask your bank ahead of time to find out for sure.

How Do I Access My Funds If My Bank Closes?

A woman dressed up in a Santa suit holding a hammer over a piggy bank.

Even if your bank closes on Christmas Eve, you will likely still have easy access to your funds. Most major banks have their ATM areas separate from their actual offices, so all you need to get inside is your debit or credit card and then you can withdraw funds from the ATM.

Of course, you can access your money via any ATM. Some banks are part of national ATM networks. AllPoint, for example, has more than 55,000 ATMs throughout the country, and customers of its partner banks can use these machines free of charge.

Most major banks also offer free mobile banking apps that you can use to deposit checks. In some cases, you can use your phone to withdraw funds without a debit card.

Most of these apps also allow you to transfer money. For example, several major banks have a service called Zelle built into their mobile banking apps. This service works like Venmo or PayPal, allowing you to send money to people using their phone number or email address. In some cases, the transfer takes only minutes.

If you need customer service, most major banks run call centers 24/7. Some of the best banking apps even allow you to shut down your card if it gets lost or stolen. This prevents anyone from accessing your funds until you recover your card.

What Are Bank Holidays for 2025 and 2026?

Most banks observe bank holidays. These are typically federal holidays when most major banks will either close early or for the entire day. Here’s a list with upcoming bank holidays for 2025 and 2026, according to the Federal Reserve:

2025

New Year’s Day, January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20
President’s Day, February 17
Memorial Day, May 26
Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, September 1
Columbus Day, October 13
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, November 27
Christmas, December 25

2026

New Year’s Day, January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19
President’s Day, February 16
Memorial Day, May 25
Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, September 7
Columbus Day, October 12
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, November 26
Christmas, December 25

Remember that banks can choose not to observe these holidays. It is always best to contact the bank directly to find out if the branch will be open.

How to Manage Banking Needs Around Holiday Closures

In order to manage your banking needs around holiday closures, you must plan ahead with these tips:

A few days before the holiday, check your account balances to make sure you have enough money available.
If you need cash, visit an ATM or branch early to avoid long lines or last-minute problems.
Schedule any bill payments or transfers in advance, since they may not process until the next business day if you wait too long.

Using online and mobile banking can make a big difference when banks are closed. Most banks allow you to check your balance, transfer money and deposit checks through their apps. You can also set up mobile alerts to notify you of low balances, large transactions or payment reminders. This helps you stay on top of your money even if you are unable to visit a branch.

If you need to send money to someone, services like Zelle, Venmo or PayPal are good options. Many banks have these services built into their apps, letting you move money quickly without visiting a branch. Just keep in mind that some transfers may take longer if started during a holiday weekend.

Lastly, be aware of your bank’s holiday schedule. Most banks post their holiday hours online or at their branches. Take a few minutes to double-check if your local branch will be open or closed. Knowing this in advance can help you avoid delays, missed payments or emergency trips to find an open ATM.

Bottom Line

Some banks will open and some will close on Christmas Eve this year. The best way to find out if a bank is open is to call or visit a branch ahead of time and ask a banker. However, even if your branch closes, you will still have access to your funds. Be sure to download any mobile app connected to your bank. Most of these allow you to view your balance, deposit checks, transfer funds, turn off your card and more.

Savings Tips

If you need help planning your finances for the holiday season, consider working with a financial advisor to get your affairs in order. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you don’t have an emergency fund, now is a good time to start saving. To help you figure out where to save, we’ve determined the best savings accounts. Most of these have no monthly fees and offer competitive rates.
Another great way to save for the short-term is by investing in a certificate of deposit (CD). You lock in your money for a certain amount of time, usually one month to five years, in exchange for a high interest rate. These are the best CD rates around.