A Partially Crowdsourced Guide to What’s Open on Christmas

Like all good community blogs, we at Wallyhood like to keep our readers informed about critical infrastructure…like what’s open/closed in the neighborhood on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In the past, we’ve tried to make the rounds to actually ask businesses what their plans are.

Unfortunately, we are but four highly unpaid volunteer editors and a rotating stable of equally highly unpaid writers, and we’ve been unable to completely canvass Wallingford establishments. Writer Ro did begin the task for this year, and I called a few places and prowled around the web. We would like to invite you, the readers, to add or edit below in the comments to fill in the blanks for places that are open. After all, not everyone is headed to Sea-Tac to flee the rain and darkness; or is headed east over the passes to play tire chain roulette. Some of us are stuck here, by circumstance or by choice. There are some places that are open on the holiday! Here’s what we know so far:

• Dumpling the Noodle is open both Christmas Eve 4:30-9:00 and Christmas day 11:30-9:00.
• Djan’s Dining Thai: Christmas Eve 11:00-10:00 (normal hours); Christmas Day 12:00-9:00.
• Blue Star Cafe: Christmas Eve 08:00-3:00 pm, closed Christmas Day.
• Bamboo Village 10:30-8:00 pm on both days, but they forewarn they are extremely busy on both days and you should expect to wait at both the restaurant and for orders going out the door.
• Dick’s: closed on Christmas Day.
• Domino’s Pizza: Christmas Eve, 10:00 am-7:59 pm; closed Christmas Day.
• Julia’s: Christmas Eve, 7:00 am-2:00 pm; closed Christmas Day.
• The Whale Wins: Christmas Eve, 10:00-3:00 pm; closed Christmas Day.
• Changes Bar & Grill: Christmas Eve, 12:00 noon-2:00 am (normal hours); Christmas Day 5:00 pm-midnight (and maybe later, if there’s demand!).
• Murphy’s Pub: Christmas Eve, 12:00 noon-4:00 pm; closed Christmas Day.
• Octopus Bar: closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Kate’s Pub: Christmas Eve, 4:00-midnight; closed on Christmas Day.
• Al’s Tavern: Christmas Eve, 3:00 pm-2:00 am; Christmas Day, 8:00 pm-2:00 am.
• Russell’s Tavern: Christmas Eve 4:00 pm-midnight; closed Christmas Day.
• Leny’s Place: Christmas Day, 7:00 pm-12:00 midnight.¸
• QFC: Closes at 7:00 pm on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day.
• CVS: Christmas Eve, 9:00-6:00; closed on Christmas Day.
• Walgreen’s (according to their website, best to confirm before going): Christmas Eve, store 7:00-10:00 pm; pharmacy 9:00-5:00. Christmas Day, store 9:00-6:00 pm; pharmacy closed.
• …and there’s always 7-11 (open 24/7/365), although best to check first because hours may vary and they may be busy dealing with some sort of holiday crime scene.

Of course, government offices like Licensing and the Post Office are closed on Christmas, and things like transit and ferries run on holiday schedules. Parking is free! Garbage and recycling are pushed back a day for everyone, so in my case, instead of Friday pickup, it’ll be Saturday. If you know about a neighborhood place—restaurant, bar, retail—that will be open, please share below!  Merry Christmas, all…! If you’re not traveling or hosting, get some rest…it’s been a taxing year.