What’s Open on Christmas Day in Portland
A Specific, Local Guide (Restaurants, Coffee & Things to Do)
Dec 2025 · Written by Louie D
If you’re searching for what’s open on Christmas Day in Portland, you’re not alone. Whether you’re staying local, hosting visitors, or just not doing the traditional thing this year, Portland does have reliable options — if you know where to look.
This guide focuses on specific places that are typically open on December 25, plus a few no-stress ways to spend the day.
Coffee & Casual Stops (Typically Open)
These are some of the most reliable coffee options in Portland on Christmas Day, often with limited hours.
Starbucks (Select Locations)
Many standalone Starbucks locations in Portland are typically open on Christmas Day, especially those in busy areas or attached to hotels.
Best bet:
Check the Starbucks app for same-day confirmation
Dutch Bros (Select Locations)
Several Dutch Bros drive-thru locations in the Portland metro area are often open on Christmas Day, usually with reduced hours.
Good for:
Quick coffee
Staying in your car
Morning runs
Hotel Coffee Shops (Downtown & Central City)
Hotels that commonly keep coffee service available:
The Nines
The Benson
Hotel Lucia
Sentinel
Even when full cafés aren’t operating, lobby coffee service is often available.
Restaurants Commonly Open on Christmas Day
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal or takeout, these types of restaurants — and specific Portland spots — are traditionally your best bets.
Chinese Restaurants (Very Reliable)
Chinese restaurants are among the most consistently open on Christmas Day in Portland.
Well-known options that are often open:
Duck House Chinese Restaurant (Downtown)
Ocean City Seafood Restaurant (SE Portland)
HK Café (SE Portland)
Excellent Cuisine (Downtown)
Tip:
Call ahead or check Instagram — many post Christmas Day hours there.
Asian & Pan-Asian Restaurants
In addition to Chinese food, some Thai and Vietnamese restaurants remain open with regular or slightly reduced hours.
Neighborhood clusters to check:
SE Division / Hawthorne
Downtown / Old Town
East Burnside corridor
Hotel Restaurants (Sit-Down Option)
Hotel restaurants are one of the safest Christmas Day dining options.
Places that have historically operated on Christmas:
Jake’s Grill (Downtown)
Urban Farmer (The Nines)
Palm Court at The Benson
These are good choices if you want:
A quieter meal
Consistent service
Reservations instead of guesswork
Movie Theaters (A Classic Christmas Option)
Several movie theaters in Portland typically operate on Christmas Day, making this one of the easiest holiday plans.
Chains to check:
AMC
Regal
Cinemark
Independent theaters may vary, but major chains almost always have Christmas Day showtimes.
Things to Do That Don’t Depend on Businesses Being Open
If you’d rather skip crowds or schedules, these are guaranteed options.
Neighborhood Walks & Holiday Lights
Many Portland neighborhoods keep lights up through Christmas Day, and the streets are usually quiet.
Good areas:
Inner SE neighborhoods
NE residential streets
Anywhere you already enjoy walking
Waterfront & Bridge Walks
The Willamette River paths and downtown bridges are open and peaceful on Christmas Day, especially earlier in the day.
Parks & Scenic Viewpoints
Public parks remain open, weather permitting:
Waterfront Park
Mt. Tabor
Forest Park trailheads
A short walk often feels like enough.
One Local Reality Check
Christmas Day in Portland isn’t about maximizing options — it’s about knowing the reliable ones.
A coffee, a walk, a movie, a familiar restaurant — that’s usually the rhythm. And that’s okay.
—
Portland City Card is being built around that same idea: making it easier to move through Portland without overplanning.
So Portland is built for people who already live here — and for those learning how to move through the city like they do.