As the festive season reaches its peak, UK supermarkets are preparing to adjust their schedules, offering vital last-minute shopping opportunities before closing their doors for Christmas Day. For anyone still finalising their festive feast or needing to grab those essential sprouts, knowing when your local store is open is crucial.
Festive Opening Hours: What You Need to Know
From Christmas Eve through to New Year's Day, trading hours will vary significantly between different supermarket chains and even between larger stores and their smaller convenience counterparts. While most major supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day, many will operate reduced hours on key dates. It is always advisable to check with your specific local branch for the most accurate information.
Supermarket-by-Supermarket Guide
Here is a detailed breakdown of the announced opening hours for leading UK supermarkets during the 2025 festive period.
Tesco: On Christmas Eve, most stores will trade from 6am to 7pm, while Express stores are open from 7am to 10pm. All branches are closed on Christmas Day. Boxing Day sees hours of 9am to 6pm (9am to 7pm for Express). For New Year's Eve, hours mirror Christmas Eve, and on New Year's Day, main stores open 9am-6pm, with Express stores from 8am to 10pm.
Sainsbury's: Christmas Eve hours run from 6am to 7pm (6am to 9pm in convenience stores). After the Christmas Day closure, Boxing Day operates 9am-6pm (9am-9pm convenience). New Year's Eve sees main stores open 10am-7pm, and New Year's Day from 8am to 8pm.
Aldi & Lidl: Both discounters share a similar pattern. They will be open from 7am to 6pm on Christmas Eve, then closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On New Year's Eve, they open 8am-6pm, and will be closed again on New Year's Day.
Asda: Stores open from 5am to 7pm on Christmas Eve, are closed Christmas Day, and reopen 9am-6pm on Boxing Day. For the New Year, hours are 7am-7pm on New Year's Eve and 9am-6pm on New Year's Day.
Co-op: On Christmas Eve, stores close at 7pm (convenience stores at 8pm). After the Christmas Day closure, Boxing Day hours are 10am-7pm. The pattern repeats for New Year's Eve, closing at 7pm, with New Year's Day hours from 10am.
Waitrose: Branches are open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. They are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, except for certain Welcome Break service stations and Shell forecourts.
Marks and Spencer: Stores will be open 6am-7pm on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, open 8am-7pm on New Year's Eve, and closed again on New Year's Day.
Morrisons: While Christmas Eve hours vary, most stores will trade between 6am and 6pm. They are closed Christmas Day, open 9am-6pm on Boxing Day, 7am-7pm on New Year's Eve, and 9am-6pm on New Year's Day.
Planning Ahead for a Smooth Festive Season
With these altered schedules in place, shoppers are encouraged to plan their essential trips carefully to avoid disappointment. The early closures on Christmas Eve and widespread closures on Christmas Day itself highlight the importance of advanced preparation. Keeping this guide to hand can help ensure your holiday celebrations are well-stocked and stress-free, allowing you to focus on enjoying the time with family and friends.
