The holiday season might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also undeniably one of the busiest. Between dashing from store to store to scoop up gifts to attending party after party, the hustle and bustle is enough to throw anyone into a tizzy — and some things are bound to slip through the cracks. But what should you do if remembering to stock up on alcohol ahead of the big day is one of those things? Will liquor stores even be open on Dec. 25?
The short answer is: maybe! In the United States, liquor laws are written by individual states — and sometimes even vary by county or municipality — rather than at the federal level, meaning every region’s laws are slightly different. In some places, state-controlled liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day, but grocery stores can still sell beer and wine, a suitable solution for those in a pinch. In others, state-run stores are required to close while privately-operated shops may choose to open, complicating matters further. As such, we always recommend calling ahead to your local supplier before hopping in the car lest you be met with disappointment.
Check out the chart below to see if you can buy alcohol in your state this Christmas and have a very happy holiday!
| State | Alcohol? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Some | Wine and beer are available for purchase at grocery stores, but state-controlled liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day. Privately-owned shops may choose to open. |
| Alaska | Yes | |
| Arizona | Yes | |
| Arkansas | No | |
| California | Yes | |
| Colorado | Yes | In May 2024, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law lifting the ban on Christmas Day alcohol sales. |
| Connecticut | No | |
| Delaware | No | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | |
| Florida | Some | State law does not prohibit alcohol sales on Christmas Day and some counties permit the sale of beer, wine, and spirits. |
| Georgia | Some | Alcohol is generally permitted for sale on Christmas Day, though some counties ban all sales. Call ahead to your local liquor store before going. |
| Hawaii | Yes | |
| Idaho | Some | State-controlled liquor stores are closed Christmas Day. Beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores. |
| Illinois | Yes | |
| Indiana | Yes | |
| Iowa | Yes | |
| Kansas | No | |
| Kentucky | Some | Some counties are dry and ban the sale of alcohol on Christmas. |
| Louisiana | Some | Some parishes forbid the sale of alcohol on Dec. 25. |
| Maine | Yes | |
| Maryland | Some | While Maryland is not a control state, some counties are control counties and outlaw the sale of alcohol on Christmas Day. Some grocery stores may sell beer and wine. |
| Massachusetts | No | |
| Michigan | Yes | |
| Minnesota | No | |
| Mississippi | No | No beverage over 5 percent ABV can legally be sold on Christmas Day. |
| Missouri | Yes | |
| Montana | Some | State-owned liquor stores will be closed and sales at privately-owned stores are restricted to beer and wine. |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | Yes | |
| New Hampshire | No | |
| New Jersey | Yes | There is no law banning alcohol sales on Christmas, but individually-owned stores may choose to close. Be sure to call before hopping in the car. |
| New Mexico | Yes | |
| New York | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Some | ABC liquor stores are closed; grocery stores are permitted to sell beer and wine. |
| North Dakota | No | |
| Ohio | No | |
| Oklahoma | No | |
| Oregon | Yes | State law allows liquor stores to open, though many may choose to close. |
| Pennsylvania | Some | State-run liquor stores are closed, grocery stores are permitted to sell wine and beer (if they are open). |
| Rhode Island | No | |
| South Carolina | No | |
| South Dakota | Some | According to South Dakota law 35-4-81, any municipality or county may, by ordinance, prohibit or restrict the sale of alcohol on Christmas Day. |
| Tennessee | Some | Liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day. Beer, but not wine, is available for purchase at grocery stores. |
| Texas | Some | Liquor stores will be closed but grocery stores are permitted to sell wine and beer. |
| Utah | No | |
| Vermont | Yes | |
| Virginia | Some | All Virginia State ABC stores will be closed on Christmas day. |
| Washington | Yes | Privately-owned liquor stores are able to open. |
| West Virginia | Some | All state-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas. Beer and wine are available for purchase at grocery and convenience stores. |
| Wisconsin | Some | State-controlled liquor stores are closed. Grocery and convenience stores may still sell wine and beer. |
| Wyoming | Yes |
