As the festive season reaches its peak, UK shoppers are making their final preparations for Christmas celebrations. The familiar scenes of bustling aisles, overloaded trolleys, and excited children are a hallmark of this time of year. For anyone still finalising their shopping list or hoping for a last-minute dash for essentials like brussels sprouts, checking your local supermarket's festive trading hours is crucial.
Major Supermarkets Closed on Christmas Day
Across the United Kingdom, the vast majority of major supermarket chains will be completely closed on Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 2025. This annual closure allows staff to spend the holiday with their families. However, opening hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and over the New Year period vary significantly between retailers and even between larger stores and smaller convenience formats.
It is essential to plan ahead, as trading times are subject to change. Below is a detailed breakdown of the announced festive schedules for the UK's leading grocery retailers.
Detailed Festive Opening Hours for Key Retailers
Tesco will close its main stores on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, they will trade from 6am until 7pm, while Express stores are open from 7am to 10pm. Boxing Day sees main stores open from 9am to 6pm, with Express stores from 9am to 7pm. For New Year's Eve, main stores are open 6am-7pm (Express: 7am-10pm), and on New Year's Day, 9am-6pm (Express: 8am-10pm).
Sainsbury's follows a similar pattern, with all stores shut on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve hours are 6am-7pm for main stores, while convenience stores operate from 6am to 9pm. On Boxing Day, main stores open 9am-6pm (convenience: 9am-9pm). New Year's Eve sees main stores open from 10am to 7pm (convenience: 6am-9pm), and New Year's Day from 8am to 8pm (convenience: 9am-9pm).
The discount supermarkets Aldi and Lidl have identical schedules: closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. Both will be open from 7am to 6pm on Christmas Eve and from 8am to 6pm on New Year's Eve.
Asda stores will be closed on Christmas Day. They open from 5am to 7pm on Christmas Eve, from 9am to 6pm on Boxing Day, from 7am to 7pm on New Year's Eve, and from 9am to 6pm on New Year's Day.
Co-op convenience stores adjust their hours, closing on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, they are open from 6am or 7am until 8pm. Boxing Day hours are 9am to 7pm, New Year's Eve from 6am/7am to 8pm, and New Year's Day from 9am to 8pm.
Waitrose shops are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, but will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Their Welcome Break service stations and Shell forecourts are the exception, remaining open on Christmas Day.
Marks and Spencer stores will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. They trade from 6am to 7pm on Christmas Eve and from 8am to 7pm on New Year's Eve.
Morrisons confirms closure on Christmas Day. Most stores will be open between 6am and 6pm on Christmas Eve, from 9am to 6pm on Boxing Day, from 7am to 7pm on New Year's Eve, and from 9am to 6pm on New Year's Day, though hours can vary by location.
Planning Your Essential Festive Shopping
With Christmas Day universally a closure day for major supermarkets, the key shopping windows are Christmas Eve and the days following Christmas. Shoppers are advised to confirm the specific times for their local store via the retailer's website, as smaller convenience stores and petrol station forecourts often have more generous hours.
Planning your shop around these altered schedules will ensure you have all you need for the festive period while allowing hard-working retail staff their well-deserved break. Remember, independent local shops and some petrol station convenience stores may offer alternative options for last-minute necessities on Christmas Day itself.
