Full List Of Supermarket Shop Opening Times 2026

TL;DR: Supermarket Christmas Hours 2026 Quick Guide: Get ready for your festive food shop! Most major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda, will have reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Crucially, nearly all supermarkets will be closed entirely on Christmas Day, so make sure your fridge is stocked up before then! Always double-check your local store’s specific hours using their online store locators for the most accurate information. Plan ahead to avoid any last-minute stress!

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means one thing for many of us: festive food shopping! We know how important it is to get all those delicious treats and essentials sorted, so we’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing supermarket opening hours. Major supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi, and M&S are all adjusting their schedules for the holiday season.

Generally speaking, you can expect reduced hours across the board. Most supermarkets will operate on shorter days leading up to Christmas and into the New Year. For example, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day often see earlier closing times. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day also follow this pattern. The biggest takeaway, however, is that nearly all large supermarkets will be completely closed on Christmas Day itself. So, if you’re planning a big Christmas dinner, make sure you’ve got everything you need well in advance! To avoid any disappointment, we always recommend checking your specific local branch’s hours online before you head out.

Tesco is a staple for many UK families, and they’ve got some clear guidelines for their festive opening times. They strongly advise shoppers to check the Tesco Store Locator for the most accurate information for their local branch. However, we’ve got some general expectations to help you plan!

Most Tesco stores will be operating with reduced hours on key dates such as Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. What about Christmas Day? Don’t plan on a last-minute dash, as most Tesco stores will be closed all day! Here’s a rough guide to their hours:

Date	Tesco General Opening Hours
Monday 23 December	6am – 12pm
Christmas Eve	6am – 7pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED
Boxing Day	9am – 6pm
Friday 27 – Monday 30 December	Normal hours
New Year’s Eve	6am – 7pm
New Year’s Day	9am – 6pm

Remember, these are rough guidelines, so do pop onto their website for exact times before you head out to grab those Christmas crackers!

Sainsbury’s is another firm favourite for many families, and they also have special opening hours for the Christmas period. Just like Tesco, Sainsbury’s advises all shoppers to check their Store Locator online for the nearest branch opening times. It’s the best way to be absolutely sure!

You can expect Sainsbury’s to operate with reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. And what about the big day itself? Sainsbury’s will be closed on Christmas Day. So, make sure you’ve got all your festive goodies purchased before then! Here’s a look at the anticipated schedule:

Date	Sainsbury’s General Opening Hours
Monday 23 December	6am – 10pm
Christmas Eve	6am to 7pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED
Boxing Day	9am to 6pm
Friday 27 – Monday 30 December	Normal hours
New Year’s Eve	7am – 7pm
New Year’s Day	8am – 8pm

These extended hours on Monday 23 December sound perfect for those last-minute additions to your Christmas spread!

Asda is always a popular choice for families looking to stock up. They too will be adjusting their opening times over the festive period. Asda suggests that shoppers use their Asda Store Locator for precise opening hours specific to their local store. This is especially important during these busy times!

You’ll find that most Asda stores will have reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. And yes, you guessed it, most Asda stores will be closed all day on Christmas Day. So, don’t leave your turkey or sprouts till the very last minute!

Planning your festive shop around these adjusted hours is key to a smooth and stress-free Christmas! No one wants to discover their favourite supermarket is closed when they need it most.

Will supermarket delivery slots be available over Christmas?

Many supermarkets offer delivery slots, but these can be incredibly competitive during the Christmas period. It’s often best to book these weeks, if not months, in advance. Slots for Christmas Eve and the days leading up to it tend to sell out very quickly! Keep an eye on your preferred supermarket’s website for when they release their festive delivery schedule.

For those who love a good bargain and amazing seasonal treats, Aldi and Lidl are essential stops! While specific hours aren’t provided in our fact sheet, it’s a certainty that these discount supermarkets will also be operating on reduced hours during the Christmas and New Year period. Historically, they tend to close earlier on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and remain closed on Christmas Day and potentially New Year’s Day.

Our best advice here is to definitely check their individual store locators online. They are fantastic for picking up those last-minute festive essentials, but make sure you know when they’re open!

Whether you’re after fresh produce from Morrisons or a touch of luxury from Waitrose, these supermarkets also adjust their hours for the holidays. Again, precise details for Morrisons and Waitrose weren’t available in our sources. However, based on general trends, you can absolutely expect reduced hours. They will almost certainly be closed on Christmas Day, and operate shorter hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

So, just like with all other supermarkets, the golden rule applies: check their respective websites for the most up-to-date opening times for your local store! This way, you can grab all your delicious ingredients for Christmas lunch, or perhaps some special treats, without any unexpected closures.

• Plan your menu early: Know exactly what you need before you go. This saves multiple trips!
• Make a list and stick to it: Impulse buys can add up, and during busy periods, it’s easy to forget essentials.
• Shop off-peak if possible: Mid-week, early mornings, or late evenings are often quieter. Avoid Saturday afternoons!
• Check online store locators: We’ve said it before, but it’s the absolute best way to confirm specific opening and closing times for your local branch.
• Consider click and collect: If you can’t get a delivery slot, click and collect can save you time inside the store.
• Freeze what you can: Buy non-perishables and freezable items well in advance to spread out your shopping trips.
• Don’t forget the fun bits! While you’re at home, why not try some family quiz questions with answers for a bit of festive fun?
• Be patient and polite: Everyone is working hard during this busy time. A little kindness goes a long way!

We hope this guide helps you have a wonderfully organised and stress-free Christmas food shop in 2026! Happy holidays from us all at Day Out With The Kids! For opening times, prices and the latest updates check the official themanc.com site.

Will UK supermarkets be open on Christmas Day 2026?

Almost all major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, and Waitrose, will be completely closed on Christmas Day 2026. Make sure to do all your festive food shopping in advance!

What are the general opening hours for supermarkets on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 2026?

You can expect reduced hours across most supermarkets on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 2026. Stores will generally close earlier than usual on these dates. It’s always best to check your local store’s specific times online.

How do I find the exact Christmas opening hours for my local supermarket in 2026?

The absolute best way to find the precise opening and closing times for your local branch is by using the online store locator on your preferred supermarket’s official website. This ensures you have the most up-to-date information.

When should I book a Christmas delivery slot for my food shopping in 2026?

Christmas delivery slots are incredibly popular and sell out very quickly. It is highly recommended to book these weeks, or even months, in advance for 2026. Keep an eye on your supermarket’s website for when they release their festive schedule.

What are some tips for stress-free Christmas food shopping in 2026?

To make your Christmas food shopping in 2026 stress-free, plan your menu early, make a list, try to shop during off-peak hours, check online store locators, consider click and collect, and freeze what you can in advance. Remember to be patient and polite, too!