The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and as Christmas approaches, major supermarkets across the UK are adjusting their opening hours to accommodate holiday schedules. With so much to do, it’s easy to forget something important, prompting last-minute dashes to the store. To help, we've compiled the Christmas opening times for the UK’s leading supermarkets, ensuring you won’t be caught out during this busy festive period.
Tesco stores are typically seeing variations based on location. On Christmas Eve, most Tesco Express stores will remain open from 6am until 10pm, with Extra and Superstores operating from 5am to 7pm. All Tesco locations will be closed on Christmas Day, but hours resume on Boxing Day, depending on the store. For example, the Tesco Extra on Bar Hill, Cambridge, will open from 9am to 6pm, whereas other locations, like the Newmarket Road superstore, will remain closed all day.
Morrisons have declared they will open from 10am to 4pm on Christmas Eve and close their doors on Christmas Day. Some stores will re-open on Boxing Day between 9am and 6pm, as confirmed for locations around Cambridgeshire, including Cambourne and Peterborough.
At Sainsbury's, the festive spirit also means changes to their hours. On Christmas Eve, Sainsbury's will open from either 10am to 4pm or 11am to 5pm, but all locations will close on Christmas Day and return on Boxing Day with reduced hours from 9am to 6pm.
Over at Aldi, shoppers can expect to find stores open on Christmas Eve from 9.30am to 4pm. Yet, like many others, Aldi will close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, remaining shut from December 25-26. This policy applies to stores across various regions, including Cambridge, Chatteris, and St Neots.
Lidl’s timetable reveals they will operate on Christmas Eve from 7am to 6pm before their closure on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Customers are encouraged to check their local store hours to avoid disappointment.
For Waitrose, the situation is somewhat different as only select stores at Welcome Break service stations will remain open on Christmas Day. The rest of the chain will not let customers through their doors until Boxing Day, with limited locations operating at reduced hours.
Shoppers around Southampton will similarly experience adjusted opening hours. Leading supermarket chain Tesco will be open from 5am to 7pm on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. The opening hours for Boxing Day resume at 9am to 6pm, setting the stage for last-minute purchases. Similar patterns emerge for many stores across the city.
For example:
- At Aldi: They will be open on Christmas Eve from 8am to 10pm, but remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- For Sainsbury's: They will operate from 6am to 7pm on Christmas Eve, return on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm, and remain closed on Christmas Day.
- At Lidl: Hours also reflect this trend where the store will open on Christmas Eve, shutting down on Christmas and Boxing Day.
The general consensus is clear: all major supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day. Boxing Day will see some stores reopen, albeit with limited hours. With these changes, customers are advised to check their local supermarket’s website or store locator for the most accurate information. It's always best to avoid the barrage of holiday shopping by planning your visits accordingly!
No matter what last-minute items you need, knowing the opening times of your local supermarket can save you from holiday stress.
