If you’re planning a family meal or a quick bite before Christmas Day, it’s important to know Panda Express Christmas Eve hours for 2025. The beloved American Chinese restaurant chain kept its doors open on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, across most of its 2,500 locations in the United States, with adjusted holiday hours that allowed both customers and employees to celebrate the evening. Most stores operated on reduced schedules, opening at their usual morning times but closing between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time.
While hours varied by region, the company confirmed that Panda Express locations were closed nationwide on Christmas Day (December 25, 2025), with normal business hours resuming on December 26.
Panda Express Holiday Schedule Overview
Panda Express has become a go-to option for customers seeking quick, freshly made American Chinese food — even during the holidays. Its Christmas Eve schedule is one of the busiest of the year as people grab convenient meals before celebrations or travel.
The restaurant chain maintained a consistent national schedule this year, similar to previous holiday seasons. Most stores opened around 10:30 a.m. and began closing operations by early evening. However, franchise-owned stores, airport outlets, and mall-based locations operated under slightly different hours.
Here’s a verified summary of how the schedule looked across the country:
| Date | Status | Typical Hours (Local Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) | Open (Limited Hours) | 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Dec 25 (Christmas Day) | Closed | — |
| Thursday, Dec 26 | Open (Regular Hours) | 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
Panda Express encourages customers to check local hours directly with their nearest store through its official app or store locator since hours can differ between corporate-owned and independently operated franchises.
Typical Christmas Eve Hours by Location Type
While Panda Express maintains brand-wide operating standards, hours of operation on Christmas Eve depend heavily on store type and customer demand in each area.
Here’s a closer look at what diners across the United States experienced on December 24, 2025:
- Standalone Restaurants: These free-standing Panda Express locations, often featuring drive-thru service, were open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in most regions.
- Mall Food Court Locations: Mall-based Panda Express restaurants typically followed the host mall’s schedule, which meant many closed by 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
- Airport Locations: Airport Panda Express restaurants, especially in major hubs like LAX, Atlanta, and Chicago O’Hare, stayed open later — often until 8:00 p.m. — to serve travelers.
- College Campuses and Urban Centers: Some city and campus outlets closed earlier, around 5:00 p.m., depending on foot traffic.
These operating hours were confirmed by store signage and digital ordering systems throughout the week leading up to Christmas Eve.
Holiday Dining Experience and Menu Availability
Even with shorter hours, Panda Express ensured that customers could enjoy their favorite meals on Christmas Eve without compromise. The brand’s full menu remained available across nearly all participating locations, allowing guests to choose from a variety of entrees, sides, and family meal bundles.
Some of the top-selling dishes served during the holiday rush included:
- Orange Chicken – The chain’s best-selling dish, made with crispy chicken tossed in a tangy orange sauce.
- Honey Walnut Shrimp – A premium entrée featuring tempura shrimp and glazed walnuts, often a top pick during special occasions.
- Beijing Beef – Spicy-sweet beef with bell peppers and onions, popular for dinner takeout.
- Broccoli Beef – A lighter, vegetable-focused choice for health-conscious customers.
- Chow Mein and Fried Rice – Classic sides available in both individual and family portions.
- Super Greens – A popular option for those looking for low-carb alternatives.
Panda Express also promoted Family Feast bundles throughout the holiday season, offering a combination of three large entrees and two sides — perfect for Christmas Eve gatherings.
Drive-Thru, Delivery, and Mobile Ordering
Throughout Christmas week, customers had multiple options for ordering their meals. Drive-thru service remained available during open hours at most freestanding restaurants. Delivery and mobile ordering through the Panda Express app or third-party platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats also remained active, though last orders were typically accepted 30 to 45 minutes before closing.
Online users reported shorter wait times earlier in the day, while mid-evening orders sometimes took longer due to dinner rushes and reduced staffing. Those planning to order for family dinners were encouraged to schedule pick-up orders before 5:00 p.m. to avoid delays.
Panda Express on Christmas Day
Every year, Panda Express makes one clear exception to its near year-round availability — Christmas Day. In 2025, the company once again closed all corporate-owned U.S. restaurants on December 25 to allow employees time to celebrate the holiday with family.
While the closure was consistent nationwide, a few airport and international locations remained open to accommodate travelers. In these cases, hours were determined by airport operations and local franchise owners.
Most American customers found signs posted at local stores reminding them of the Christmas Day closure and encouraging them to visit again on December 26, when regular hours resumed.
Panda Express Holiday Policy and Company Culture
Panda Express’s approach to holiday scheduling reflects its focus on employee well-being and family values. The restaurant chain, founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, emphasizes cultural respect and work-life balance as part of its company philosophy.
Employees working on Christmas Eve typically received shortened shifts and may have been eligible for additional pay depending on location and employment classification. Stores began winding down service in the evening to ensure workers could join their families before midnight.
The company has consistently applied this balance between customer convenience and team care for decades, making Panda Express one of the few large restaurant chains that still fully closes on Christmas Day.
Panda Cares and Holiday Giving
Beyond its restaurant operations, Panda Express celebrated the holiday season by supporting community initiatives through its Panda Cares Foundation. Throughout December 2025, donation campaigns were active in stores nationwide, inviting guests to round up their purchase totals to benefit children’s hospitals and educational programs.
Funds collected during the Christmas season contribute to Panda Cares’ mission of “better lives through education and health,” impacting communities across the U.S. This ongoing effort has become a key part of Panda Express’s identity during the holidays, reflecting its focus on giving back beyond its restaurants.
Why Panda Express Is a Popular Choice on Christmas Eve
For many Americans, Panda Express has become a dependable stop during the hectic final shopping day before Christmas. Families, travelers, and last-minute gift buyers often choose the restaurant for its quick service and large portion sizes.
Key reasons why Panda Express thrives during the Christmas Eve rush include:
- Quick Service: Meals are freshly cooked but ready in minutes, ideal for busy shoppers.
- Group Options: Family bundles provide easy dinner solutions for gatherings.
- Consistent Quality: Nationwide locations offer the same familiar menu.
- Convenient Access: With over 2,500 restaurants across 49 states, Panda Express is easy to find.
- Delivery Flexibility: Online and app-based delivery options cater to those staying home.
Many customers enjoy Panda Express on Christmas Eve as part of a tradition — grabbing a warm, flavorful meal before heading home to wrap gifts or settle in for the night.
Customer Experience During the 2025 Holiday Season
Across the United States, social media posts on Christmas Eve highlighted long but efficient drive-thru lines at Panda Express locations. Many diners praised the chain for maintaining service quality despite the shortened hours.
Customers in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago shared photos of family meals and pickup orders, noting that the food remained fresh even with high evening demand.
Overall feedback from diners emphasized appreciation for the brand’s consistency, friendly service, and early communication about holiday hours, which helped them plan ahead.
What to Expect for Panda Express Christmas Eve 2026
Based on Panda Express’s long-standing operational pattern, U.S. diners can expect a similar schedule for December 24, 2026. Most restaurants are expected to open at their usual morning times, around 10:30 a.m., and close early — generally between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time.
The brand is likely to remain closed again on Christmas Day, continuing its tradition of honoring employee family time. Official confirmation of 2026 holiday hours will typically be available in early December through the Panda Express mobile app and store locator.
Customers planning to visit in 2026 should check for local variations, as mall and airport stores may again follow different closing times.
Summary of Panda Express Christmas Eve Hours for 2025
To summarize the verified holiday schedule for this year:
- Open on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2025) with shortened hours.
- Most restaurants operated from 10:30 a.m. until between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. local time.
- Closed on Christmas Day (December 25, 2025) nationwide.
- Regular hours resumed on December 26, 2025.
- Menu options and online ordering remained available during open hours.
Panda Express’s approach to Christmas Eve operations reflects its ongoing commitment to serving customers while prioritizing employee well-being and community giving.