This guide covers confirmed Christmas opening hours for 2025.
Supermarket opening hours change every Christmas, and this is where a lot of people get caught out.
You assume Boxing Day will be fine. You think New Year’s Day is normal. Then you turn up and everything is shut, or only one small shop is open and prices feel higher.
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This guide sets out the confirmed Christmas and New Year opening times for the main UK supermarkets for 2025, plus what those times actually mean for your food shop.
Times can still vary by branch, but these are the official national hours set by each supermarket.
Skint Dad says:
Once you know the closed days, you can plan calmly, do one proper shop, and avoid last minute spending when options are limited.
The simple rule that helps most people
If your main shop is Aldi or Lidl, assume you cannot shop again until 27 December.
If you use Tesco, Asda or Sainsbury’s, you usually have Boxing Day options, but with shorter hours.
Christmas Day is closed everywhere.
Aldi Christmas and New Year opening times
Aldi closes completely on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
23 December: 7am to 10pm
Christmas Eve: 7am to 6pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
27 December: 8am to 8pm
28 December: 8am to 4pm
29 to 30 December: 8am to 8pm
New Year’s Eve: 8am to 6pm
New Year’s Day: Closed
What this means for you:
If Aldi is your main shop, you need food sorted for Christmas Day and Boxing Day by Christmas Eve.
Asda Christmas and New Year opening times
Asda keeps most larger stores open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Christmas Eve: 5am to 7pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: 9am to 6pm
27 to 30 December: Normal opening hours
New Year’s Eve: 7am to 7pm
New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm
2 January: Normal opening hours
What this means for you:
Asda gives you flexibility after Christmas, but Boxing Day is still a short day. Go earlier rather than later.
Tesco Christmas and New Year opening times
Tesco runs different hours for large stores and Express stores.
Christmas Eve:
Extras and Superstores close at 7pm
Express stores close by 10pm, some earlier
Christmas Day: All stores and petrol stations closed
Boxing Day:
Extras and Superstores: 9am to 6pm
Most Express stores: 9am to 7pm
27 to 30 December: Normal hours
New Year’s Eve:
Extras and Superstores close at 7pm
Express stores close by 10pm
New Year’s Day:
England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 9am to 6pm
Scotland: 11am to 6pm
What this means for you:
Tesco Express can help in a pinch, but do not assume late opening on Christmas Eve without checking your local store.
Sainsbury’s Christmas and New Year opening times
Sainsbury’s extends hours before Christmas, then shortens them over the holidays.
18 to 23 December: 6am to 11pm
Christmas Eve:
Supermarkets: 6am to 7pm
Convenience stores: 6am to 9pm
Christmas Day: All stores closed
Boxing Day:
Supermarkets: 9am to 6pm
Convenience stores: 9am to 9pm
27 to 30 December: Normal hours
New Year’s Eve:
Supermarkets: 10am to 7pm
Convenience stores: 6am to 9pm
New Year’s Day:
Supermarkets: 8am to 8pm
Convenience stores: 9am to 9pm
What this means for you:
If you use Sainsbury’s Local, you usually have more options than people relying on big supermarkets.
Morrisons Christmas and New Year opening times
Morrisons closes on Christmas Day but opens on Boxing Day.
Christmas Eve: Most stores 6am to 6pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: 9am to 6pm
New Year’s Eve: 7am to 7pm
New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm
What this means for you:
Morrisons is a reliable Boxing Day option, but Christmas Eve finishes earlier than many people expect.
Lidl Christmas and New Year opening times
Lidl closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
New Year’s Day: Closed
What this means for you:
Treat Lidl like Aldi. Finish your main shop by Christmas Eve and plan food for at least two days.
Waitrose Christmas and New Year opening times
Waitrose closes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Christmas Eve: Early closing, varies by branch
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
27 December onwards: Open with reduced hours
New Year’s Day: Reduced hours
What this means for you:
Do not rely on Waitrose for Boxing Day essentials. Shop ahead.
M&S Food Christmas opening times
Marks & Spencer closes all main stores on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Some outlet and convenience stores open
27 December onwards: Stores reopen
What this means for you:
M&S food halls are not a guaranteed Boxing Day option unless you are using a small convenience store.
Co-op and Iceland Christmas opening times
Co-op is often open when bigger supermarkets are closed.
Christmas Eve: Open until 8pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: 9am to 7pm
New Year’s Eve: Open until 8pm
New Year’s Day: 9am to 8pm
Iceland closes on Christmas Day.
Boxing Day: Some stores open, times vary by area
27 December to New Year’s Eve: Mostly normal hours
New Year’s Day: Varies by location
What this means for you:
Co-op is handy for emergencies, but it is usually better for top ups than a full shop. Iceland can still be good value, especially for frozen food, so a proper shop there can make sense if your local store is open.
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