Nothing ruins a holiday plan faster than driving to your favorite steakhouse and finding the doors locked. This guide covers the LongHorn Steakhouse holiday hours for the 2026 season: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, plus practical tips for dining out on busy holiday dates.
LongHorn’s official policy is simple: the restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day so team members can spend the holidays with their families, and it is open normal business hours on all other holidays. Christmas Eve is the one special case, with early closing at 8 PM.
LongHorn Steakhouse Holiday Hours 2026 (Quick Reference)
Here is the at-a-glance schedule for the major end-of-year holidays:
- Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026): Closed at all locations
- Day after Thanksgiving / Black Friday: Open normal hours
- Christmas Eve (December 24, 2026): Open with reduced hours, closes at 8 PM
- Christmas Day (December 25, 2026): Closed at all locations
- New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2026): Open normal hours
- New Year’s Day (January 1, 2027): Open normal hours
Normal hours at most LongHorn locations are 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 AM to 11 PM Friday and Saturday. Hours can vary by location, so a quick call to your local restaurant is always a smart move before a holiday visit.
Is LongHorn Steakhouse Open on Thanksgiving?
No. LongHorn Steakhouse is closed on Thanksgiving Day at all of its roughly 650 locations. The company states this clearly on its website: the closure allows team members to spend time with family and friends. This policy is the same every year, including Thanksgiving 2026, which falls on Thursday, November 26.
That said, LongHorn can still be a big part of your Thanksgiving plans. The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest dining days of the year, and LongHorn is open with normal hours — a great option if you want to skip cooking one night before the big feast. Many families also head to LongHorn on Black Friday to escape the leftovers for an evening.
If your heart is set on eating out on Thanksgiving Day itself, you will need a different spot. Chains that typically stay open on Thanksgiving include Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, IHOP, and Golden Corral, along with many local diners.
LongHorn Steakhouse Christmas Hours: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Christmas is where LongHorn’s holiday hours get slightly more nuanced:
Christmas Eve (December 24, 2026): Open, closes at 8 PM
LongHorn is open on Christmas Eve but with reduced hours, closing at 8 PM. Arriving early is wise: Christmas Eve is a popular night for family dinners out, and the dining room can fill up fast in the late afternoon. Keep in mind that LongHorn does not accept reservations, but you can use the Call-Ahead waiting option by calling the restaurant and adding your name to the wait list.
Christmas Day (December 25, 2026): Closed
LongHorn is closed on Christmas Day, the same as Thanksgiving. The entire chain shuts down so the staff can celebrate at home. No Christmas dinner is served, and there is no special Christmas Day menu — the restaurant simply takes the day off.
Many guests turn Christmas Eve at LongHorn into the family tradition instead. Seasonal menu items often appear in November and December, such as holiday-themed cocktails, limited-time appetizers, and featured steak cuts like a porterhouse for two. These pair perfectly with a Christmas Eve dinner out.
LongHorn Steakhouse New Year’s Hours
The news is much better for New Year’s. LongHorn is open normal business hours on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. If you are planning a New Year’s Eve dinner, it is one of the strongest steakhouse options on the night — but arrive early. December 31 is one of the most crowded dining nights of the year anywhere, and since LongHorn does not take reservations, the Call-Ahead waiting list will be your best friend.
On New Year’s Day, most locations run their standard schedule: 11 AM to 10 PM. There is no special New Year’s Day brunch menu, but the full regular menu, including the lunch menu during weekday hours, is available.
Other Holiday Hours: Easter, July 4th, Memorial Day and More
Beyond the year-end holidays, LongHorn’s rule is straightforward: open normal business hours on all other holidays. That includes:
- Easter Sunday: Open normal hours
- Memorial Day: Open normal hours
- Independence Day (July 4th): Open normal hours
- Labor Day: Open normal hours
The only two days of the year LongHorn closes are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Everything else, plan for a normal visit.
Tips for Holiday Dining at LongHorn Steakhouse
Holiday restaurant visits go smoother with a little planning. These tips will save you time and stress:
- Use Call-Ahead waiting: LongHorn does not accept reservations, but calling ahead to join the wait list before you leave home can cut your lobby wait dramatically on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- Go early on Christmas Eve: Since the restaurant closes at 8 PM, arriving between 3 and 5 PM gives you a relaxed meal without the closing-time rush.
- Check your location’s hours: The holiday closures are chain-wide, but normal opening and closing times can vary by region. The LongHorn website’s restaurant locator lists phone numbers and hours for every location.
- Consider the day after: Black Friday and the day after Christmas are some of the best times to visit — the holiday crowds have thinned and hours are back to normal.
LongHorn Holiday Hours FAQs
Is LongHorn Steakhouse open on Thanksgiving 2026?
No. LongHorn is closed on Thanksgiving Day at all locations. It reopens with normal hours on Black Friday.
Is LongHorn open on Christmas Day?
No. LongHorn is closed on Christmas Day every year so team members can spend the holiday with their families.
What time does LongHorn close on Christmas Eve?
LongHorn closes at 8 PM on Christmas Eve, with normal opening hours earlier in the day.
Is LongHorn open on New Year’s Day?
Yes. LongHorn is open normal business hours on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
Does LongHorn serve a special holiday menu?
No special Thanksgiving or Christmas Day menu exists, since it is closed on those days. During November and December, seasonal cocktails, appetizers, and featured steaks often appear on the menu.
Does LongHorn take reservations for holiday dinners?
No, LongHorn does not accept reservations at any time. Use the Call-Ahead waiting option by phoning your local restaurant to join the wait list before you arrive.
The Bottom Line
For the 2026 holidays, the LongHorn Steakhouse holiday hours are easy to remember: closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, early closing at 8 PM on Christmas Eve, and open normal hours on every other holiday, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Plan your Christmas Eve dinner a little earlier in the evening, use Call-Ahead waiting on the busiest nights, and always confirm with your local restaurant before heading out.
MenuLongHorn is an unofficial fan and guide site and is not affiliated with LongHorn Steakhouse or Darden Restaurants. Holiday hours are based on LongHorn’s official policy; hours can vary by location.
