Something unusual is stirring in the restaurant world. This season, Olive Garden takes a bold step that few expected, signaling a shift that reaches every corner of its network. Regulars and newcomers alike are left wondering what prompted such a rare decision — one that touches every table, every city, and every loyal diner waiting for answers.
What the 48-hour shutdowns actually cover
All locations pause for one day on Thanksgiving and one day on Christmas Day. Dining rooms, takeout and curbside stop during each 24-hour period, so families should shift plans early. Olive Garden frames the move as a seasonal reset, which helps teams rest while guests recalibrate their mealtime routines.
Business restarts the next day, and regular hours hold for the rest of the season. The two closures total 48 hours across two separate dates, not back-to-back days. Guests who map trips around work, school, or flights can still keep traditions, because reopening follows quickly and service stabilizes afterward.
The website notes opening hours may vary on the eve of both holidays, while some locations could close early. Management decides based on demand. The brand asks guests to contact the restaurant directly for the scheduled closing time on the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, which avoids surprises and wasted drives.
Olive Garden holiday eves, local discretion, special cases
Early closings remain case-by-case. “We leave this decision to the discretion of the management team,” the site explains, and it adds, “Please contact the restaurant directly” for the day-before schedule. Holiday hours may vary in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and international markets, so local pages and phone calls help confirm specifics without guesswork.
Restaurants reopen the day after Thanksgiving. However, hours on the eve of both holidays may change with traffic, which means dinner timing might shift. Because tables turn faster near closing, calling ahead improves the odds for larger groups, while takeout orders benefit from earlier pickups, as pre-holiday demand can spike in many neighborhoods.
The chain also states Thanksgiving falls on November 27 this year. That date matters for airports, school breaks and retail lines. Crowds build, so buffers help. Families who plan around children’s naps or late flights can move meals forward a bit, which keeps everyone fed while travel schedules stay intact despite seasonal rushes and closures.
How the closures affect travel, takeout, and Black Friday plans
Travelers often anchor dinner after long drives, so a one-day pause shifts that anchor. Because service resumes the next morning, brunch-style lunches become the fallback. Shoppers also stack visits between errands, yet patience pays, since lines grow fast after doors reopen and parking lots fill while discount seekers swarm nearby stores.
Another trend supports the pause: TJ Maxx will close all 1,340 stores for Thanksgiving’s 24-hour period. A company representative said Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense will also be closed on Thursday, November 28, then reopen Friday. The message is simple and kind: “We are pleased to give our associates the time to enjoy Thanksgiving.”
Best Buy announced a similar 24-hour Thanksgiving closure for all 1,000 stores. Retailers now favor calm Thursday meals instead of early Black Friday chaos. For Olive Garden guests, that rhythm helps. Families can rest, then shop Friday, then eat together once doors open, which reduces stress and still protects the holiday feel.
Retail context around Olive Garden: who else closes and when
Hobby Lobby also green-lights a total pause on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Stores reopen the day after Thanksgiving with extended Black Friday hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular hours run Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Sundays stay closed as a long-standing company tradition. Christmas Eve and Boxing Day run 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A long list of retailers will close on Thanksgiving, including:
• JCPenney
• Costco
• Kohl’s
• Aldi
• American Girl
• At Home
• Barnes & Noble
• Belk
• Best Buy
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Burlington Coat Factory
• The Home Depot
• HomeGoods
• Ikea
The list continues with additional closures:
• Lidl
• Lowe’s
• Marshalls
• Mattress Firm
• Nordstrom
• Nordstrom Rack
• Paragon Sports
• Patagonia
• P.C. Richard & Son
• Petco
• PetSmart
• REI
• Sam’s Club
• Sephora
• Simply Mac
• Spring Mobile
• Staples
• Sur La Table
• Target
• ThinkGeek
• TJ Maxx
• Trader Joe’s
• Ulta
• Walmart
Practical checklist for a smooth visit before and after the holidays
Check local pages, then call the restaurant the day before each holiday, because early closings are possible. Ask about last seating and takeout cutoffs. If plans slip, move to the next day when doors reopen. Large parties should consider staggered arrivals or split tables, which speeds seating and keeps kids comfortable.
Use the hour-lookup on the website and confirm curbside availability when open. Because management adapts to demand, lunch might flow faster than dinner. Travelers should set a backup stop near hotels. Guests in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and international markets should verify local variations, which differ by region and sometimes by mall policy.
After each closure, business continues as usual for the season. The quick restart keeps weeknight pasta nights in place. For brand fans, the rhythm stays familiar, so gift cards, catering, and midweek comfort meals still fit the calendar. When in doubt, call—Olive Garden staff can confirm wait times and suggest quieter windows.
Plan comfort food wisely as holiday schedules shift for diners
Two single-day pauses offer clarity, rest and predictable reopenings. Because the chain communicates early, families can align flights, shopping and meals without guesswork. Olive Garden will open the very next day, and regular hours carry through the season, so traditions stay intact. Call ahead for eves, build buffer time, and enjoy the table you really wanted.