All 900 Olive Garden Restaurants to Shut Down on Major Holidays: What You Need to Know About Alternates Planning to pop in for unlimited breadsticks on Thanksgiving or Christmas at Olive Garden? If you spot “RESTAURANT CLOSED” signs there, you are not imagining it. The US-based Italian dining chain has announced that all its 900+ mainland US locations will be closed on both Thanksgiving Day i.e. November 27 and Christmas Day December 25 this year. For travellers and holiday-goers, it marks a shift in how we think about eating out during peak travel seasons as it is not just about location or cuisine but about timing, emotion and tradition.
What this disruption means on the road
Holiday travel this year is expected to surge, with airports bracing for record footfall and highways buzzing with family reunions. If you are among the millions journeying across states, we got you sorted on how to keep your plans stress-free (and stomach full) and bookmark open alternatives. For families planning to stop by Olive Garden, whether as a pre-holiday meal, a lay-over dinner or a cosy celebration, here are a few things to know:Rethink your holiday menu stops – If your road trip or flight brings you near an Olive Garden on Thanksgiving or Christmas, note that it’s closed.Reserve alternatives early – Other chains will be open. For example, Bravo! Italian Kitchen, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Buca di Beppo are expected to serve on these very days.Timing matters – On the eve of each holiday (Nov 26 and Dec 24), certain Olive Garden outlets may close early or operate reduced hours. Their website advises guests to call ahead.International exceptions – Olive Garden locations outside the continental US (Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico or abroad and parts of Asia and the Middle East) may follow different schedules and if your travel takes you there, check locally. The global locations may operate on regional schedules. Always confirm via the local outlet’s website before planning that festive lunch.
The ‘why’ behind the decision
In an era of 24/7 service, closing a national chain on two of the busiest dining days of the year might seem counterintuitive but Olive Garden says the move is rooted in its identity, “Allowing employees the opportunity to spend these important holidays with their own families and friends.” It is a reminder that hospitality is not just about serving others but about giving staff a moment of pause and connection too. For travellers, it means your holiday meal ritual might need a little extra planning this season.
Beyond the chain travel-friendly suggestions: Where to eat like a local instead
Travelling during the holidays can be a culinary adventure in itself. If Olive Garden is off the list, try:Location-based: Map out a family-friendly Italian meal stop before the holiday arrives, think Nov 26 lunch or Dec 24 dinner.Mixed menu: Since not every diner will be open, consider blending sit-down restaurants with picnic-style meals or local eateries in the holiday spirit.Local flavour: Travelling across states? Use this shift as an excuse to try a regional chain or independent restaurant, something you would not otherwise explore.Local trattorias or farm-to-table bistros that offer festive prix-fixe menus.Reservation tip: Book early, ask for holiday specials, and double-check open hours the morning of your visit.Hotel buffets: Many upscale properties roll out limited-time Italian spreads.Christmas markets and Thanksgiving fairs where pop-up food stalls bring authentic holiday warmth.
Smart swaps for your holiday table
If you can’t dine out, turn it into a home-style travel picnic. Pack these ideas for your journey:Garlic breadsticks from your local bakery instead of Olive Garden’s iconic ones.A thermos of minestrone or pumpkin soup for a comforting on-the-go meal.Warm herbal tea or cider to replace sugary holiday sodas on long drives.
Bottom line
If your family road trip or flight layover included a comforting bowl of fettuccine alfredo or a quick breadstick break at Olive Garden, it is time to pivot and you will need a new plan. Olive Garden has confirmed that all US outlets will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. The Italian-American chain says the decision allows its staff to “spend these important holidays with family and friends.” A rare move in the round-the-clock restaurant business and one that subtly redefines how Americans eat, travel and celebrate.For travellers and holiday hosts alike, it is a cue to pause, plan and maybe schedule that dinner a little earlier or find something new to discover altogether since the chain is stepping back so that its team can lean into family time. After all, holidays are about more than what’s on the plate – they are about how and when we share it.This season, “closed for the holidays” doesn’t have to mean “plans ruined.” It can mean pausing, planning and tasting differently. Whether you’re catching flights or crossing state lines, take Olive Garden’s cue and use this time to reconnect, share stories and maybe discover a new favourite stop along the way because sometimes, the best part of the holiday meal isn’t where you eat, it’s who’s at the table.
Dining and Cooking