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 | State-controlled liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day, but privately-owned shops may choose to open. Wine and beer are still available for purchase at grocery stores. |
| 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 | Some counties permit the sale of alcohol on Christmas day. |
| Georgia | Some | Christmas Day sales are generally permitted, though some counties may opt to ban the sale. Call ahead to your local liquor store before going. |
| Hawaii | Yes | |
| Idaho | Some | State-controlled liquor stores are closed, but beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores. |
| Illinois | Yes | |
| Indiana | Yes | |
| Iowa | Yes | |
| Kansas | No | |
| Kentucky | Some | Some counties ban the sale of alcohol on Christmas. |
| Louisiana | Some | Some parishes forbid the sale of alcohol. |
| 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. |
| Massachusetts | No | |
| Michigan | Yes | |
| Minnesota | No | |
| Mississippi | No | No beverage containing over 5 percent ABV may 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. However, proposed House Bill 867, which has yet to be signed into law, proposes that liquor stores be open on Sundays and Holidays. |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | Yes | |
| New Hampshire | No | |
| New Jersey | Yes | |
| New Mexico | Yes | |
| New York | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Some | Liquor stores are closed; grocery stores are permitted to sell beer and wine. |
| North Dakota | No | |
| Ohio | No | |
| Oklahoma | No | |
| Oregon | Yes | State law provides that liquor stores are permitted 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 will be closed on Christmas Day, though beer and wine will be 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 | State-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas, beer and wine are available at grocery and convenience stores. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | State-controlled liquor stores will be closed. Grocery and convenience stores may still sell wine and beer. |
| Wyoming | Yes |
