Here’s when your local Tesco, Asda, M&S, Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose will be open over Christmas
If you are gearing up for the festive season and New Year’s Day, it is vital to stay informed about your local supermarket’s operating hours. The holiday period typically sees supermarkets teeming with last-minute Christmas shoppers.
And if you are someone who likes a last-minute trip to the shops to see what deals you can get, it is worth knowing when you can and cannot enter the store. Just remember to respect the hard-working staff – and thank them during such a busy season.
Given that operating hours can vary from one store to another, here’s a useful guide to the opening and closing times of all major UK supermarkets during the festive season:
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is set to adjust its opening and closing hours on Christmas Eve, with the majority of stores anticipated to be open from 6am to 7pm. Convenience stores may extend their hours slightly, from 6am to 9pm.
All Sainsbury’s outlets will be shut on Christmas Day. Boxing Day will see most supermarkets open from 9am to 6pm, while convenience stores typically run from 9am to 9pm.
On New Year’s Eve, larger Sainsbury’s stores are likely to be open from 10am to 7pm, with convenience stores possibly operating from 6am to 9pm. On New Year’s Day, larger Sainsbury’s stores are scheduled to operate from 8am to 8pm, with convenience stores generally opening between 9am and 9pm. You can find more details for your local branch via Sainsbury’s store finder here.
Waitrose
Waitrose has confirmed that only a few stores at Welcome Break Service stations will keep their regular trading hours on Christmas Day. However, most Waitrose branches will be closed on Boxing Day, with only a handful remaining open for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat orders.
On New Year’s Day, the majority of shops will be accepting orders via Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo. More information can be found on the Waitrose store finder here.
Asda
Several Asda outlets will remain open on Christmas Eve from 5am to 7pm, and on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm. For the New Year period, some stores will be open from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve and 9am to 6pm on New Year’s Day, reports the Mirror.
However, this will likely vary from store to store, so it’s worth checking your local Asda’s opening and closing times on its store finder here.
Tesco
Shoppers can anticipate many Tesco stores to open their doors early at 6am and close by 7pm, while Tesco Express branches might extend their trading hours from 7am until 10pm. On Christmas Day, all stores will be taking a break, but Boxing Day will see most Tesco supermarkets back in action from 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express locations typically operating from 9am to 7pm.
On New Year’s Eve, the majority of Tesco stores will open their doors at 6am and close earlier than usual at 7pm, while Tesco Express branches may operate between 7am and 10pm. On New Year’s Day, Tesco outlets will mainly be open from 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express shops potentially extending their hours from 8am to 10pm.
Full details for your local store can be found on the Tesco store finder here.
M&S
M&S outlets are anticipated to adjust their opening times. On Christmas Eve, most stores will open from 6am and shut at 7pm. Most branches are expected to remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
New Year’s will also impact its opening hours. Most stores will open at 8am and close early at 7pm. All M&S branches will then remain closed throughout New Year’s Day. Further details can be found on the M&S store finder here.
Morrisons
The opening times for Morrisons on Christmas Eve will differ by location, though the vast majority of stores are set to operate between 6am and 6pm. All branches will stay closed on Christmas Day, before reopening on Boxing Day, when most stores will run from 9am until 6pm.
For the New Year, Morrisons’ trading hours will be slightly reduced. Stores are scheduled to open from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve, and most will return to a 9am to 6pm timetable on New Year’s Day. Further details for your local branch can be found on the Morrisons store finder here.
Lidl
Lidl has confirmed the following hours for its stores across the festive period:
- Saturday, December 20 – from 7am to 10pm
- Sunday, December 21 – from 1pm to 6pm
- Monday, December 22 – from 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 23 – from 7am to 10pm
- Wednesday, December 24 – from 7amm to 10pm
- Friday, December 25 – closed
- Saturday, December 26 – closed
- Wednesday, December 31 – from 8am to 6pm
- Thursday, January 1 – closed
Full details for your local Lidl can be found on the store finder here.
Co-op
The Co-op has confirmed that a number of its stores may have shorter opening hours during bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. The opening and closing times of some Co-op supermarkets may vary from those of their convenience store counterparts.
Some Co-op supermarkets will be closing early at 7pm on Christmas Eve, while convenience stores could open as early as 6am and close at 8pm. Although all stores will be shut on Christmas Day, many are expected to be open between 10am and 7pm on Boxing Day.
For New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, most stores will likely close early at 7pm. More information can be found on the Co-op store finder here.
Aldi
Aldi confirmed many of its stores will have varying opening times throughout the Christmas period. However, it has assured that stores will remain open and closed on these dates:
When Aldi will be closed
- Thursday, December 25
- Friday, December 26
- Thursday, January 1
Many Aldi branches will open their doors on Christmas Eve from 7am to 6pm, and on New Year’s Eve from 8am to 6pm, although these times may vary. You can check your local Aldi’s opening and closing times across the Christmas period on the supermarket’s store finder here.
