UK supermarket Christmas and Boxing Day opening times can be confusing, especially as each chain sets its own reduced festive hours.
Here’s a list of major supermarkets that are open or closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and what shoppers need to know before heading out.
Note: Exact hours vary by branch – always check your local store’s online finder before travelling.
Which supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day?
All major UK supermarkets close on Christmas Day, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, Iceland, Co-op, Waitrose and others. This applies to both larger superstores and most smaller convenience sites, with only a handful of petrol stations or motorway services operating in limited cases.
What is open on Christmas Day?
If you’re looking for a hot meal or a quick pint, you have a few options:
- McDonald’s
- 24-Hour Locations: Hackney, Islington, and Wembley Park will operate from 05:00 to 04:59.
- London Central: Edgware Road and Swiss Cottage will be open 08:00 – 22:00.
- Midlands: Coventry and Shirley branches are open 07:00 – 14:00.
- Wetherspoons has confirmed that 683 pubs will open on Christmas Day.
- Gail’s in London
- Shaftesbury Avenue: 7am–8pm
- Long Acre: 8am–4pm
- Balham: 7am–5pm
- Greenwich: 7am–5pm
- Dulwich: 10am–5pm
- Clapham Old Town: 8am–5pm
- Blackheath: 8am–5pm
- Highgate: 8am–3pm
- Golders Green: 8am-5pm
- St John’s Wood: 8am-5pm
Which supermarkets are closed on Boxing Day?
A growing number of chains now shut completely on Boxing Day to give staff an extra day off after the Christmas rush.
- Aldi: Closed on Boxing Day across the UK, reopening on 27 December.
- Lidl: Many stores, especially outside London and in Wales, remain closed on Boxing Day.
- M&S: Most foodhalls shut on Boxing Day, with only a few petrol or travel locations trading.
- Iceland: Typically closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day in most regions.
- Waitrose: Generally closed on Boxing Day, again with only a small number of special sites open.
Which supermarkets are open on Boxing Day?
Some of the biggest names reopen on Boxing Day but with shorter hours than normal.
- Tesco: Superstores open 9am – 6pm; Express stores open 9am – 7pm.
- Asda: Superstores will reopen on Boxing Day on reduced hours, 9am – 6pm.
- Sainsbury’s: 8am – 8pm
- Morrisons: 9am – 6pm (All stores)
- Co-op: Convenience stores open on Boxing Day, but hours are cut back compared with usual opening times.
How can I check my local supermarket’s Christmas hours?
The most reliable way is to use each supermarket’s online store locator or app, where you can search by postcode or town to see festive opening times. Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Iceland, Co-op and Waitrose all publish Christmas and Boxing Day hours for individual branches on their websites.
It is worth checking again on the day you plan to shop, as hours can change at short notice due to staffing, weather or local decisions.
Should I leave my Christmas food shop to the last minute?
Leaving the big festive shop until Christmas Eve is risky, as stores are busier, shelves can empty quickly and branches close earlier than usual. Planning ahead and doing the bulk of your Christmas food shop a few days before means less stress, better stock choice and fewer surprises if your local store’s hours change.