Aldi has issued a timely reminder to customers across the UK regarding its operating schedule for the final days of 2025 and the start of the New Year. With 2026 fast approaching, the budget supermarket is urging shoppers to plan their essential purchases, including ingredients for New Year celebrations, to avoid disappointment.
Aldi's New Year Opening Hours 2025/2026
The retailer, which was recently confirmed by Which? as the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, will close for a single day on New Year's Day. Stores will operate under standard hours until then, with a key early closure on New Year's Eve.
Aldi advises that while the following hours are typical, customers should always check their local store's specific times online for any potential variations.
- Monday, December 29 & Tuesday, December 30: Open from 8am to 8pm.
- Wednesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): Open from 8am to 6pm.
- Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day): Closed all day.
- Friday, January 2: Open from 8am to 10pm.
This means the last opportunity to shop before the holiday will be by 6pm on Wednesday, December 31, with stores reopening on Friday, January 2.
Specialbuys Schedule After Christmas
In related news, Aldi has also provided clarity on its popular Specialbuys offerings following the festive disruption. The irregular Christmas calendar, with the holiday falling on a Thursday, had caused some confusion regarding the famous middle aisle updates.
An Aldi spokesperson confirmed the upcoming release schedule: "The next Specialbuy release is scheduled for Sunday, December 28, so we’ll see new stock landing after the Christmas period."
For the first week of 2026, shoppers can expect two opportunities to browse new bargains. Specialbuys will be released on Friday, January 2, and Sunday, January 4. The retailer confirmed that normal service, with releases every Thursday and Sunday, is set to fully resume from Thursday, January 8, once all bank holiday disruptions have passed.
Planning Your Shop for the New Year
The combined update on trading hours and Specialbuys allows customers to effectively plan their shopping trips during the busy holiday period. With the confirmed closure on January 1, shoppers are encouraged to stock up on essentials beforehand. The return to the regular Specialbuys cycle from January 8 will be welcome news for bargain hunters who follow the middle aisle updates closely.
Customers can stay informed about all planned Specialbuys releases by checking Aldi's official website for the latest information.
