You’re standing in the parking lot, gym bag in hand, staring at a locked glass door. It’s 10:00 AM on a Tuesday, but it’s a holiday Tuesday. We’ve all been there. It’s annoying. Most people assume that because Planet Fitness is the "Judgment Free Zone" with those famous purple 24/7 signs, the doors never actually lock. Honestly, that’s just not true.
If you are trying to figure out what holidays are planet fitness closed, the answer isn't as simple as a single calendar list.
Basically, Planet Fitness operates as a franchise model. This means that while the corporate office in New Hampshire has its own ideas, the person who actually owns the gym down the street from you gets the final say on when to cut the lights. Usually, there are only two days a year where the entire company—from California to Maine—pretty much agrees to shut down.
The "Big Two" Days Most Planet Fitness Locations Close
For the most part, you can bet on the gym being closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
These are the heavy hitters. In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on November 26, and Christmas is, well, December 25. On these two days, finding an open Planet Fitness is like finding a squat rack without a line on a Monday evening—it's nearly impossible.
The company generally views these as "family days." They want their staff to actually eat turkey and open presents rather than wiping down ellipticals. Even the locations that pride themselves on being 24/7/365 usually pull the plug at some point on Christmas Eve.
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Typically, you'll see a schedule that looks sort of like this:
- Christmas Eve: Early closure (often 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM).
- Christmas Day: Fully closed.
- Day After Christmas: Late opening (5:00 AM or 6:00 AM).
Why "Open" Doesn't Always Mean 24 Hours
Here is where it gets kinda tricky. Just because the gym is "open" on a holiday doesn't mean it’s open for your 2:00 AM workout.
Take New Year’s Day, for instance.
On January 1, 2026, most Planet Fitness locations will definitely be open. They have to be! Half the world just made a resolution to lose twenty pounds. However, a lot of them won't open until 6:00 AM or 8:00 AM. If you’re a night owl trying to sweat out the champagne at 3:00 AM on New Year's Day, you might be out of luck.
What About the "Minor" Holidays?
For holidays like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day (July 4th), the situation is even more fragmented.
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Most locations stay open, but they run on "modified hours." This is gym-speak for "we’re closing at 7:00 PM instead of staying open all night." If the gym is located inside a shopping mall, they are also at the mercy of the mall's hours. If the mall closes at 6:00 PM for the 4th of July, your gym is closing too. Period.
What Holidays Are Planet Fitness Closed: The 2026 Breakdown
Since the calendar shifts every year, the 2026 schedule has some specific quirks you should know about.
- New Year’s Day (Jan 1): Mostly open, but expect a late start.
- Easter Sunday (April 5): This one is a toss-up. Many franchises in the South or Midwest close entirely. Others just close early (around 2:00 PM).
- Memorial Day (May 25): Usually open, but check for early evening closures.
- Fourth of July (July 4): Almost always open, but most close by dinner time so staff can see fireworks.
- Labor Day (Sept 7): Very likely open with standard or slightly reduced hours.
- Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26): CLOSED at 99% of locations.
- Christmas Day (Dec 25): CLOSED across the board.
It’s worth noting that some places might even close for Juneteenth or Veterans Day if they are in areas with specific local traditions, though that’s pretty rare for a big chain.
The Secret to Not Getting Stranded
Don't trust the hours you see on a random Google Maps preview. Seriously.
Google is great, but it often struggles with franchise-specific holiday overrides. The most accurate way to check is the Planet Fitness App. There is a "My Club" section that usually posts an alert about a week before a holiday.
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If you don't want to download another app, just look at the front door next time you’re there. Franchisees almost always tape a printed piece of paper to the glass ten days before a holiday. It’s low-tech, but it’s the only source of truth that matters.
Why Do They Close Anyway?
You might think, "Hey, it’s a gym, just leave the keycard access on!"
Planet Fitness doesn't work like those tiny 24-hour boutique gyms where you're alone in a basement. They have a "no gymtimidation" policy, which involves having staff on-site to handle the "Lunk Alarm" and keep the pizza Fridays running smoothly. If they can’t staff it, they won't open it. Labor costs on holidays—especially if they have to pay time-and-a-half—often mean it’s cheaper for the owner to just lock up for 24 hours.
Actionable Steps for Your Holiday Workout
Knowing what holidays are planet fitness closed is only half the battle. You still want to get that lift in, right?
If your home gym is definitely closed, here is how you handle it:
- Use the Black Card: If you have the Black Card membership, you can use any Planet Fitness. If the one in the suburbs is closed, the one downtown might be open. Check the app for nearby locations.
- The 24-Hour Buffer: If you know the gym closes at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve, go at 6:00 AM. It’ll be crowded, but you'll get it done.
- Digital Workouts: The PF App actually has a huge library of home workouts. If the doors are locked, do a 20-minute bodyweight circuit in your living room. It beats doing nothing.
The bottom line? Assume your gym is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. For everything else, check the app or the physical sign on the door. It’s the only way to avoid that long, sad drive back home without ever touching a dumbbell.
Next Step: Open your Planet Fitness app right now, tap on "My Club," and look for the "Holiday Hours" tab to see if your local spot has already posted their upcoming schedule changes.