Is Olive Garden Open on Thanksgiving 2026? Hours & Menu
No, Olive Garden is not open on Thanksgiving Day. Every U.S. location closes nationwide on November 26, 2026. If you’re checking Olive Garden’s Thanksgiving hours before heading out, here’s the full holiday schedule, plus how to still get their food through catering or takeout before the day arrives.
Is Olive Garden Open on Thanksgiving Day?
Is Olive Garden open Thanksgiving? No, and it’s a full closure, not a shortened schedule. Unlike Labor Day or the Fourth of July, where most locations run on regular hours, Thanksgiving is one of just two days a year Olive Garden shuts down company-wide (the other being Christmas). Every corporate and franchise location closes for the entire day so staff can spend it with their own families. There’s no dine-in, no takeout counter, and no app orders going through the whole system pauses.
A lot of other guides stay vague here, saying “hours may vary” without confirming the actual closure. To be direct: this isn’t a location-by-location call. It’s the same nationwide policy every year.
Olive Garden Thanksgiving Hours 2026 (Full Holiday Schedule)
| Day | Date | Hours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Eve (Wed) | Nov 25, 2026 | 11 AM to 10 PM | Open, regular hours |
| Thanksgiving Day (Thu) | Nov 26, 2026 | Closed all day | Closed |
| Black Friday | Nov 27, 2026 | 11 AM to 11 PM | Open, regular hours |
If you’re wondering what time Olive Garden opens or closes on Thanksgiving Eve or Black Friday, the table above covers the standard schedule, but individual restaurants can still run 30 – 60 minutes earlier or later. For the full day-by-day breakdown, check Olive Garden’s regular operating hours before you plan your visit, since holiday-adjacent days sometimes shift slightly from the norm.
Does Olive Garden Take Reservations on Thanksgiving?
Olive Garden doesn’t do traditional reservations any day of the year, they run on call-ahead seating instead, and it matters more than usual around Thanksgiving since both Wednesday and Black Friday get packed. Here’s how it actually works if you’re planning to dine in on either of those days:
- Call your local restaurant (or use the app) about 20 – 30 minutes before you plan to arrive.
- Give them your party size and name, they’ll add you to the list with an estimated wait time.
- Try to arrive within 10 minutes of your quoted time, or you risk losing your spot.
- For groups of 6+, call further ahead. Some locations want an hour’s notice on busy holiday-adjacent days.
Most articles just say “call ahead” without explaining that call-ahead seating is really just a remote version of the waitlist, not a guaranteed table.
Explore the Full Olive Garden Menu With Updated Prices 2026
Olive Garden Thanksgiving Takeout & Catering Options
Yes, you can still get an Olive Garden Thanksgiving dinner, but only if you order before the holiday. Since the restaurant is fully closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, there’s no same-day pickup or delivery window; the ordering system doesn’t even show Thursday as a selectable slot once the closure takes effect.
| Order Type | When to Order | Pickup Window | Approx. Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family-style entrées (Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, Zuppa Toscana) | By Nov 25, before close | Same day, Wed | $50 to $90 (feeds 4 – 6) |
| Catering trays for larger groups | 2 – 3 days ahead recommended | Wed pickup | $80 to $180+ |
| Breadsticks & salad add-ons | Same order | Same pickup | $10 to $25 |
At our local Olive Garden, the app’s pickup calendar jumped straight from Wednesday to Friday. Thursday wasn’t selectable at all. So if you’re hoping for a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner to go from Olive Garden, it won’t happen; everything needs to be locked in by Wednesday.
What’s on the Olive Garden Thanksgiving Menu?
There’s no separate holiday-specific menu. Thanksgiving meal bundles come from the regular family-style and catering lineup, which covers most of what people actually want for a holiday spread:
| Item | Price (approx.) | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Lasagna Classico (family-style) | $55 to $65 | 4 – 6 |
| Chicken Alfredo (family-style) | $60 to $70 | 4 – 6 |
| Zuppa Toscana (quart) | $12 to $15 | 3 – 4 |
| Breadsticks (dozen) | $8 to $10 | 6+ |
| Salad (family-size) | $15 to $20 | 4 – 6 |
If you’re a regular at the Never Ending Pasta Bowl, keep in mind it’s a dine-in-only promotion, so it won’t show up as an option for catering or holiday family meals no matter when you order.
Tips for Planning Around Olive Garden’s Thanksgiving Closure
- Place your catering or family-meal order by Wednesday afternoon and pickup slots fill up fast the closer you get to the holiday.
- If you’re dining in on Wednesday or Friday instead, call ahead for a seating estimate rather than walking in during peak dinner rush.
- Standing deals like kids-eat-free may be paused around the holiday. Confirm with your local restaurant rather than assuming they apply.
- Parking at mall-adjacent locations gets tight on both Wednesday and Black Friday, so build in extra time.
- Check for seasonal offers before you order. Olive Garden occasionally runs holiday catering promotions, though these aren’t guaranteed every year.
What Other Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?
If Olive Garden’s Thanksgiving closure changes your plans for the day itself, here’s how a few other chains handle it:
| Restaurant | Open on Thanksgiving? | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Garden | No | Closed |
| Chick-fil-A | No | Closed |
| Cracker Barrel | Yes | Full day, regular hours |
| Denny’s | Yes | Most locations extended/24-hour |
| Applebee’s | Varies | Check local listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Olive Garden close on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Every U.S. location closes for the full day on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026. It’s one of only two full-closure days each year, alongside Christmas. There’s no shortened schedule, the restaurant simply doesn’t open.
What time does Olive Garden open on Thanksgiving Eve?
Most locations run their regular schedule the day before Thanksgiving, typically opening at 11 AM and closing around 10 PM. Some stores adjust slightly during the holiday rush, so it’s worth a quick call ahead if you’re planning a Wednesday visit.
Does Olive Garden take reservations on Thanksgiving?
Olive Garden doesn’t offer formal reservations any day of the year, they use call-ahead seating instead. Since they’re closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, this only matters if you’re dining in on Wednesday or Black Friday.
Does Olive Garden have a special Thanksgiving menu?
No separate holiday menu exists. Thanksgiving meal bundles and family-style orders come from their regular catering lineup, think lasagna, chicken alfredo, and Zuppa Toscana, which works well for a holiday spread if you order ahead.
Can I order Olive Garden Thanksgiving dinner to go?
Only if you order before the holiday. Since all locations close completely on Thanksgiving Day, same-day pickup or delivery isn’t available, you’ll need to place your order and pick it up by Wednesday, then reheat at home.
Conclusion:
Olive Garden is expected to be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026. Since holiday hours can vary by location, it’s always best to confirm with your nearest restaurant before visiting. If you’re planning a meal around the holiday, checking ahead can help you avoid any last-minute surprises.
