Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Open on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026? Holiday Hours Guide

Last updated: October 2026

Please note: This is an unofficial fan guide. We are not linked to, or approved by, Dave’s Hot Chicken. The holiday hours on this page are based on what other websites report, not on an official schedule. Hours may vary by location, so always check with your local store before you go.

The holidays are a busy time. Maybe you want a quick meal after a long day of shopping. Or maybe you want a Hot Box to feed the whole family and skip the cooking. Before you head out for tenders and sliders, it helps to know if your local Dave’s will actually be open.

This guide covers Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s and every other big US holiday in 2026. You’ll also find a simple holiday table and easy ways to check your own store’s hours, so you don’t end up at a locked door. Want to see the food and prices first? Visit our full Dave’s Hot Chicken menu guide.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Open on Thanksgiving 2026?

Short answer: most likely not. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, 26 November 2026. Other Dave’s guide sites report that Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

This is common in the restaurant world. Many chains close on Thanksgiving so their staff can spend the day with family. Most Dave’s stores are run by franchise owners, and many of them give their teams the day off.

If you were looking up Dave’s Hot Chicken Thanksgiving hours to plan a meal, it’s safest to expect the store to be shut. Keep these points in mind:

• Hours may vary by location. A few stores, such as ones inside airports, shopping centres or travel stops, may follow their own rules.
• The days around Thanksgiving can be busy. The day before and the day after may see long queues. Check your store’s hours in the app before you go.
• Delivery apps follow the store. If your local Dave’s is closed, it won’t show up as open on DoorDash or Uber Eats either.

Tip: If you’re craving hot chicken over the long weekend, plan for Friday instead. Have a look at our Dave’s Hot Chicken deals page first to see if there’s an offer you can use.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Christmas Eve Hours 2026

Christmas Eve is Thursday, 24 December 2026. Other sites report that Dave’s Hot Chicken stores are usually open on Christmas Eve, but with reduced or limited hours. In simple words, many stores may close earlier than normal so staff can get home for the evening.

We can’t give you one exact closing time, because each store sets its own. Here’s how to avoid any surprises:

• Go earlier in the day. Lunch or early afternoon is a safer bet than a late dinner.
• Order ahead in the Dave’s app. It shows your store’s hours and lets you pick a pickup time.
• Call before a big order. If you’re feeding a family or a group, ring the store a day or two early. Our catering guide explains Hot Box sizes if you’re ordering for a crowd.

If your store is inside a shopping mall, it may follow the mall’s own holiday hours. These can be different from stand-alone stores, so check before you go.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Open on Christmas Day 2026?

Christmas Day is Friday, 25 December 2026. Other sites report that Dave’s Hot Chicken is closed on Christmas Day. So, is Dave’s Hot Chicken open on Christmas? For nearly every store, the answer is no. As always, hours may vary by location, so a quick check with your store is still a good idea.

If you had your heart set on Dave’s, here are a few other ideas:

• Order on Christmas Eve and reheat. Pick up your tenders on the 24th, then warm them in an oven or air fryer the next day. This keeps the coating crispier than a microwave does.
• Look for nearby places that are open. Open Google Maps, search for “restaurants” or “chicken” and turn on the “Open now” filter. This shows what’s actually open near you on the day.
• Wait one more day. Many stores are expected to be back to their usual hours on Saturday, 26 December, but check the app first. While you wait, read our spice levels guide so you know exactly how hot to go.

Dave’s Hot Chicken New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Hours

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, 31 December 2026, and New Year’s Day is Friday, 1 January 2027.

Dave’s has not shared official hours for these days. The usual pattern for New Year’s is regular hours or slightly reduced hours. For example, a store that normally stays open late may close a bit earlier on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, some stores may open a little later than usual after a busy night.

Because every store is different, please confirm with your local Dave’s before you head out. This is extra important if you’re planning a late-night snack on New Year’s Eve.

Full 2026 Holiday Hours Table

Here’s a quick look at every major US holiday in 2026. Some dates earlier in the year have already passed, but we’ve kept them here so you can see the full pattern.

*”Expected open” means there are no reports of closures on these days, and most fast-food restaurants stay open on them. However, Dave’s Hot Chicken has not published an official holiday schedule. All hours may vary by location.

How to Confirm Your Local Store’s Holiday Hours

The most important thing to remember is this: most Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants are franchise locations. That means each owner can set their own holiday hours. Two stores in the same city might not follow the same plan. Here are the easiest ways to check.

1. The Dave’s Hot Chicken app

The official app shows the hours for the store you pick. If a store is closed at a certain time, the app normally won’t let you place an order for that time. It’s also the place where you’ll see app-only offers.

2. Google Maps

Search for “Dave’s Hot Chicken” and tap your nearest store. Many businesses add special holiday hours to their Google listing. Make sure the hours shown are for the right date, not just the normal weekly hours.

3. Call the store

A quick phone call is the most reliable check. Try calling on a quiet afternoon a day or two before the holiday, when staff have time to answer.

4. Delivery apps

Open DoorDash or Uber Eats and look for your store. If it shows as closed, or doesn’t appear at all, it isn’t taking orders. Keep in mind that menu prices on delivery apps are often higher than in-store.

5. The store’s social media

Some stores post holiday updates on Instagram or Facebook. It’s worth a quick look if you can’t reach them by phone.

Need help finding the store closest to you? Use our Dave’s Hot Chicken locations page to find a store by state and city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?

Other sites report that Dave’s Hot Chicken is closed on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, 26 November 2026. A small number of stores may have different hours, so check the Dave’s app or call your local store if you’re not sure.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken open on Christmas Day?

No, Dave’s Hot Chicken is reported to be closed on Christmas Day, Friday, 25 December 2026. On Christmas Eve, stores are usually open with shorter hours. Hours may vary by location, so it’s best to confirm with your store first.

Can I order Dave’s Hot Chicken for delivery on a holiday?

Only if your local store is open. Delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats get their food from the same restaurant, so if the store is closed, delivery won’t be available either. On days with reduced hours, delivery usually stops when the store closes.

Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have special holiday deals or menu items?

Dave’s hasn’t announced any Thanksgiving or Christmas deals for 2026 yet, but it does run seasonal offers. For Halloween 2026, for example, it brought out a limited-edition drink called the Slasher Slusher. Offers often show up in the app first, and Frequent Fryer members earn points on every order. Check our deals page and the app closer to the holidays for the latest offers.

What are Dave’s Hot Chicken’s regular hours?

On a normal day, most Dave’s stores open between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and close at 11:00 PM or midnight. Some stay open later on Friday and Saturday nights, and some offer a late-night After Dark menu after 8 PM. Our Dave’s Hot Chicken hours guide lists opening and closing times store by store, and our locations page helps you find the nearest one.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a holiday meal around Dave’s Hot Chicken, the main thing to remember is simple. Reports say stores are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, open with shorter hours on Christmas Eve, and running regular or slightly shorter hours around New Year’s. On other US holidays, most stores are expected to stay open, but nothing is official.

Because most Dave’s restaurants are run by franchise owners, hours can change from one store to the next. Before you set off, take a minute to check the app, Google Maps or give the store a quick call. Then all that’s left is picking your order. See the latest prices in our Dave’s Hot Chicken menu guide, choose your heat with the spice levels guide, and look for a saving on our deals page. Happy holidays, and enjoy the heat!