What is Christmas?
Christmas Day, December 25, has been a federal holiday in the U.S. since 1870. Christians celebrate Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, and modern celebrations include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, singing holiday songs, and Santa Claus delivering presents around the world. Christmas 2023 falls on Monday, Dec. 25.
Is Christmas Eve a holiday?
Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, but it is sometimes observed as a holiday if Christmas falls on a Saturday. Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, many private companies and federal agencies will be open on Christmas Eve but may close early.
Here’s a look at what’s open and closed on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, and Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023:
Are post offices closed on Christmas? Is there mail delivery?
U.S. Post Offices are closed on Christmas Day and there will be no mail delivery Monday.
Are restaurants and stores open? Will shopping malls be on regular hours?
Most restaurants and stores are open Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Some may operate on different holiday hours for Christmas Eve; the Syracuse mall Destiny USA will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and be closed on Christmas Day Monday.
Chain restaurants typically open on Christmas include Applebee’s, Arby’s, Boston Market, Burger King, Denny’s, Dunkin’, IHOP, KFC, McDonald’s, Popeyes, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Waffle House and Wendy’s. Locations may vary — call or visit websites to check for your local restaurants.
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, RaceTrac, Sheetz, Speedway and Wawa are also typically open on Christmas Day.
When do stores close on Christmas Eve? Is Walmart open on Christmas? Is Target open on Christmas? Is Wegmans open on Christmas?
Walmart, Target, Wegmans and most other major retailers and grocery stores are open on Christmas Eve, but will close early and stay closed on Christmas Day Monday.
Walmart stores will close at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, and reopen Tuesday, Dec. 26, at regular hours.
Target stores close at 8 p.m. Sunday and reopen Tuesday at regular hours.
Wegmans stores will close at 6 p.m. Sunday and reopen Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Tops Friendly Markets will close at 7 p.m. Sunday and reopen Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Price Chopper stores will close at 6 p.m. Sunday and reopen Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Nichols supermarket in Liverpool will close at 6 p.m. Sunday and reopen Tuesday at regular hours.
Are pharmacies open?
Yes. Many pharmacies are closed on Christmas Day, but some CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and other chain locations will be open Sunday on reduced hours. Check your local store.
Are banks open on Christmas?
Most banks will be closed Monday in observance of Christmas.
Is stock market open on Christmas?
Financial markets will be closed Monday for the Christmas holiday.
Are government offices open on Christmas?
Most city, county, state and federal offices will be closed Monday for the Christmas holiday.
Emergency public works services can be reported to (315) 448-8360. Cityline offices will be closed to calls, but residents can still submit service requests to Cityline via the SYRCityline app or online at syr.gov/cityline.
Is parking free on Christmas?
Yes. Parking at all downtown Syracuse meters will be free on Monday.
Will there be trash collection on Christmas?
City of Syracuse trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day for the entire week. Other municipal and private haulers may work on a different schedule.
Are libraries open on Christmas?
Onondaga County’s Central Library and all city branches will be closed Christmas Day. You can check your branch schedule through the county website.
Are buses running on regular time?
Centro is running on a holiday schedule for Christmas Day Monday; regular service resumes Tuesday. For information, call 442-3400 or visit Centro’s website.