You can sometimes buy alcohol on Christmas, but it depends heavily on which country, state, and even city you are in, plus whether you want a store, bar, or restaurant. Overall, in the U.S. many places restrict or fully ban sales on December 25, while others allow it with limited hours or only in certain types of shops.

Key point: It depends where you are

  • There is no universal rule; local law controls alcohol sales on Christmas in most countries, including the U.S.
  • Even within one state or region, counties or cities can set stricter rules (for example, some “dry” or partially dry areas).

United States overview

  • In many U.S. states, you can legally buy alcohol on Christmas Day, especially in places like Nevada, New York, and Washington, D.C., though store hours may be reduced.
  • Other states still ban some or all off‑premise alcohol sales on Christmas (for example, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah).

Stores vs bars and restaurants

  • Even where retail liquor stores must close, grocery or convenience stores sometimes can still sell beer or wine, while spirits are restricted to state or specialty shops that close for the holiday.
  • In most places where alcohol service is legal, bars and restaurants with proper licenses can serve drinks on Christmas Day, subject to local opening‑hour rules.

Notable examples (U.S. state flavor)

  • Some “control” states (where the state runs liquor stores) close those state stores on Christmas but still allow beer and wine sales in regular supermarkets.
  • A few states recently relaxed rules; for example, Colorado lifted its previous ban on Christmas Day alcohol sales, allowing stores to open if they choose.

Practical tips if you’re planning ahead

  • Check your local law (state or national alcohol authority, or government site) plus any city/county rules for December 25 specifically.
  • Call your nearby liquor store, supermarket, or bar to confirm if they are open and what they may sell on Christmas, since many stores close even when the law allows them to open.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.