With Christmas Day fast approaching, UK supermarkets have finalised their festive opening schedules. Major chains including Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Lidl, and Morrisons have announced their hours for the crucial period from Christmas Eve through to New Year's Day, offering a lifeline for last-minute shoppers and those needing to restock after the big day.
Key Festive Opening Times for Major Supermarkets
While opening hours can vary between individual stores, especially for larger chains with multiple formats, most are following a standardised national pattern. It is always advisable to double-check your local branch's exact times using online store locators, but the following outlines the general schedules.
Aldi, Lidl, and Morrisons: Nationwide Patterns
Aldi stores are expected to operate from 7am to 6pm on Christmas Eve. They will be closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, resuming normal hours from December 27th to the 30th. On New Year's Eve, doors will be open from 8am to 6pm, with stores closed on New Year's Day.
Lidl's hours show some regional variation. On Christmas Eve, stores inside the M25 will trade from 7am to 7pm, while others close at 6pm. Boxing Day sees a more complex picture: stores inside the M25 open 10am-6pm, Scottish branches from 11am-5pm, and all others remain closed. On New Year's Day, only stores inside the M25 will open, from 10am to 6pm.
Morrisons has different schedules for England/Wales and Scotland. On Christmas Eve, English and Welsh stores are open 5am-6pm, while Scottish branches trade from 6am-7pm. On Boxing Day, hours are 9am-6pm in England and Wales, and 8.30am-6.30pm in Scotland. New Year's Day follows a similar split pattern.
Asda and Tesco: Store Format Variations
Asda's larger superstores will be open from 5am to 7pm on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day, and then reopen on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm. New Year's Day will see hours of 9am to 6pm. However, many of its smaller Asda Express stores and petrol station forecourts will maintain much longer hours, with some even operating on Christmas Day itself.
Tesco has a clear distinction between its main supermarkets and its Express convenience stores. On Christmas Eve, main stores will close at 7pm, while Express shops will stay open until 10pm. This pattern repeats on New Year's Eve. On Boxing Day, main stores are open 9am-6pm, with Express stores trading until 7pm. Express stores will also be open on New Year's Day from 8am to 10pm, while larger stores operate from 9am to 6pm.
Planning Your Essential Festive Shops
The consensus across all major supermarkets is that Christmas Day will be a universal closure. Boxing Day openings are widespread but often with reduced hours. The busiest trading day, Christmas Eve, will see most stores closing earlier than usual, typically between 6pm and 7pm for larger stores, though some convenience formats will trade later.
Shoppers are strongly urged to plan ahead and verify the specific times for their nearest store using the retailers' official websites. This is particularly important for chains like Asda and Tesco, where the store format (superstore vs. Express) significantly impacts availability. With these schedules in hand, you can ensure your festive table is fully stocked and avoid any last-minute dashes to a closed door.
