Christmas means business as usual for some retailers, but most major brands in the UK change their opening hours over the festive period.
Most shops close their doors to customers on December 25, but in recent years, many retailers have also decided to stay closed on December 26.
Boxing Day, December 26, is observed as a national Bank Holiday in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, which means major supermarkets, fashion brands, homeware, and DIY stores have already reduced opening hours.
But which major supermarkets can you call upon for those last-minute items over Christmas? Express.co.uk has rounded up the opening hours Britons should know for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
These times are correct at the time of writing but check with your local store, as they may vary sometimes.
Lidl
The budget supermarket giant will close most stores over Christmas, particularly those outside the M25, which will remain closed on Boxing Day. Local store opening hours may vary, so it’s worth checking Lidl’s website.
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – normal hours
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – closed (check locally)
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal hours
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – normal hours
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed
Tesco
Tesco store opening hours may differ across the country over the festive period, though most of them will observe the following opening hours:
- Monday, December 23 – 6am to midnight
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – 9am to 6pm
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal hours
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s stores will only be closed on Christmas Day while most supermarkets and Sainsbury’s Local stores will be open from 6am to 11pm from Wednesday, December 18, to Monday, December 23.
- Monday, December 23 – 6am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – 9am to 6pm
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal hours
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 8am to 8pm
Morrisons
Morrisons is open throughout the festive season, only closing on Christmas Day. Hours can vary from store to store, and in Scotland, so check before visiting.
- Monday, December 23 – 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 5am to 7pm – (see your store for exact times)
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – 9am to 6pm
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal hours
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm (6am opening in Scotland)
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Marks and Spencer
M&S Food will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day though on Christmas Eve, most stores will remain open until the later time of 7pm.
- Monday, December 23 – 6am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – closed
- Friday, December 27 – 8am to 8pm
- Saturday, December 28 – 8am to 8pm
- Sunday, December 29 – 11am to 5pm
- Monday, December 30 – 8am – 9pm
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed
Aldi
Aldi will shut all stores on Christmas, Boxing, and New Year’s Day.
- Monday, December 23 – 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 7am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – closed
- Friday, December 27 – 8am to 8pm
- Saturday, December 28 – 8am to 8pm
- Sunday, December 29 – 9.30am to 4pm
- Monday, December 30 – 8am – 8pm
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed
Asda
Asda opening times vary across its stores, though most stores will observe the following trading hours:
- Monday, December 23 – 5am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 5am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – 9am to 6pm
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal trading
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Certain Asda stores open 24 hours so it’s advisable to check locally.
Co-op
Co-op convenience stores remain open to serve their communities with Christmas food and drink, everyday essentials, top-ups, or forgotten items until 8pm on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and until 7pm on Boxing Day. All Co-op’s stores will be closed on Christmas Day.
- December 24 (Christmas Eve): Co-op convenience stores will open at their usual time until 8pm
- December 25 (Christmas Day): all stores closed
- December 26 (Boxing Day): Co-op convenience stores will open between 9am to 7pm
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Co-op convenience stores will open at their usual time until 8pm
- January 1 (New Year’s Day): Co-op convenience stores will open between 9am to 8pm
Waitrose
For Waitrose, the majority of shops will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve. A spokesperson said: “All our shops will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with the exception of certain Shell sites. For New Year’s Day, some shops will be opening as normal for trading with reduced hours.”
- Monday, December 23 – 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 7am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) – CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – CLOSED
- Friday, December 27 to 30 – normal hours
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed
John Lewis
For John Lewis, most shops will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve, and all shops will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
A spokesperson for the retailer revealed: “All our shops will also be closed on Boxing Day, besides from the John Lewis Stratford and JL Trafford at the Trafford Centre, which will be open between 10am-5pm (JL Stratford) and 10am-8pm (JL Trafford) respectively.”
