Households across the UK are being reminded that supermarket opening times over the Christmas and New Year period are significantly different from usual, leaving shoppers with less time to pick up last-minute essentials.
With many families tightening budgets and relying on festive discounts, knowing which supermarkets are open on Boxing Day has become more important than ever.
Major chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and Asda have confirmed their festive opening hours for 2025.
However, not all supermarkets will open their doors on December 26, and opening times can vary between large stores and convenience branches. This guide provides a clear breakdown to help UK shoppers plan ahead and avoid disappointment.
Why Do Supermarket Opening Hours Matter on Boxing Day in 2025?
Boxing Day shopping has always played a pivotal role in the UK’s festive retail landscape. While traditionally associated with big-ticket sales and high-street queues, it has become equally important for families needing to restock essentials. After Christmas Day, fridges are often emptied, and households turn to supermarkets for everything from breakfast items to forgotten gifts and party snacks.
In 2025, the importance of Boxing Day supermarket hours has grown further due to shifting economic conditions. Park Christmas Savings’ Big Christmas Survey 2025 found:
- 51% of households are working with tighter festive budgets
- Two-thirds of respondents are relying on last-minute deals to afford their holiday plans
This growing reliance on timely shopping means that understanding supermarket hours is not just convenient, but essential. Supermarket closures or limited access could disrupt budget-friendly shopping plans, particularly for households aiming to catch post-Christmas price reductions.
Supermarket Opening Times for Boxing Day 2025
1. Tesco Boxing Day 2025 Opening Hours
Tesco remains one of the most accessible options for shoppers on Boxing Day. The retail giant will keep its main stores open between 9am and 6pm, providing ample time for mid-morning to evening shopping.
For those unable to visit during regular hours, Tesco Express branches offer an extended window, generally operating from 9am to 7pm depending on the location.
Shopping tips for Tesco customers:
- Use the Tesco Clubcard to unlock member-exclusive pricing
- Visit early to avoid queues and out-of-stock items
- Check Click + Collect availability at local Express branches
Tesco also advises customers to use the Tesco Store Locator tool online for the most accurate opening times in their area.
2. Sainsbury’s Boxing Day Schedule
Sainsbury’s offers a well-balanced approach between traditional store hours and extended convenience access. Most main Sainsbury’s stores will open from 9am to 6pm, while their convenience stores will remain open until 9pm, ideal for late evening top-ups.
Shoppers planning their New Year’s festivities can also rely on extended hours on New Year’s Day, with stores generally opening between 8am and 8pm.
Best shopping times at Sainsbury’s:
- Morning hours (before 11am) for fresh produce
- Late afternoon for price reductions on festive stock
- Convenience stores for emergency items and snacks
Sainsbury’s has introduced self-checkout upgrades in many locations to speed up the in-store experience during peak periods.
3. Aldi’s Holiday Store Hours
Aldi continues its policy of closing on Boxing Day, allowing staff to enjoy time off during the holidays. Aldi stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, making it one of the few major supermarkets with two consecutive festive closures.
To accommodate this, Aldi opens from 7am to 6pm on Christmas Eve and 8am to 6pm on New Year’s Eve, encouraging shoppers to plan ahead.
Despite the closures, Aldi was recognised in Raisin UK’s price comparison as the most affordable retailer for a complete Christmas dinner, totalling only £14.52 for a family of four.
Smart shopping tips for Aldi customers:
- Purchase frozen goods for meals after Boxing Day
- Stock up on pantry essentials before December 24
- Use Aldi’s Specialbuys for affordable non-food gifts and items
4. Lidl Christmas and Boxing Day Timings
Like Aldi, Lidl will not open on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. Lidl instead focuses on ramping up discounts in the days leading to Christmas.
Christmas Eve hours will run from 7am to 6pm, with a return to regular service on December 27. Lidl has increased early festive promotions in 2025, offering heavy discounts on:
- Seasonal vegetables
- Frozen Christmas meats
- Sweet treats and chocolates
For shoppers who prefer Lidl’s competitive pricing, the best strategy is to complete all shopping by Christmas Eve or delay non-urgent purchases until after Boxing Day.
5. Asda Festive Period Hours
Asda remains a reliable choice for post-Christmas shopping. All Asda stores are scheduled to open on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm.
Their opening hours on New Year’s Day will mirror this schedule, ensuring consistent access during the holidays.
How Asda supports last-minute shoppers:
- Price Rollback offers remain active post-Christmas
- Late restocking in larger superstores improves product availability
- Scan & Go technology allows faster checkout, reducing in-store congestion
Asda also plans to keep George clothing sections open in most stores for Boxing Day sales.
6. Co-op Convenience Store Hours
Co-op stores have long served residential communities, and in 2025, they continue to offer some of the most flexible Boxing Day hours. Most branches will open from 10am to 7pm, with some convenience stores starting as early as 9am and closing later in the evening.
Regional differences apply, with some Scottish branches operating extended hours and select city-centre stores offering 24-hour service.
Benefits of Co-op shopping during the holidays:
- Smaller store format reduces crowding
- Regular discounts for Co-op Members
- Focused range of daily essentials, ideal for quick top-ups
It’s worth noting that Co-op’s festive meal deals and reduced waste campaigns are particularly strong this year.
7. Waitrose Holiday Hours and Closures
Waitrose will be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, consistent with past years. However, Waitrose Welcome Break and Shell forecourt stores will remain open, primarily for travellers and service station visitors.
Opening hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are extended in select branches, and customers are encouraged to use Waitrose’s reservation system for pre-ordering fresh goods.
Recommended Waitrose Christmas planning:
- Reserve high-demand items online before December 22
- Visit Welcome Break locations for emergency essentials
- Take advantage of Waitrose’s wine and dessert promotions before the 24th
8. Marks and Spencer (M&S) Store Schedule
M&S will close its food and clothing stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, with Christmas Eve hours running from 6am to 7pm. While the retailer offers luxurious food options, it prioritises early festive shopping over post-Christmas sales.
Important things to note:
- M&S Food stores experience early Christmas Eve queues
- Many branches run out of premium desserts by 23rd December
- Clothing returns can only be processed from 27th December onwards
Online click and collect orders for Boxing Day will resume from 27th December in most branches.
9. Morrisons Christmas and New Year Opening Hours
Morrisons offers access to shoppers on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, with stores opening from 9am to 6pm. However, Morrisons differs slightly from other chains in that exact opening times vary by location.
Customers are encouraged to check store hours online or through the Morrisons app to confirm availability.
Tips for Morrisons customers:
- Early mornings are best for fresh bread and pastries
- Reductions on festive meat items occur after 2pm
- Use the More Card app to access personalised Boxing Day offers
Morrisons petrol stations will follow the same store schedules, providing further access for travelling shoppers.
How Do Boxing Day Opening Hours Compare Across UK Supermarkets?
To better understand which supermarket best suits your needs this Boxing Day, it’s useful to compare opening hours across all major retailers.
Boxing Day vs New Year’s Day Hours
| Supermarket | Boxing Day Hours | New Year’s Day Hours |
| Tesco | 9am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
| Sainsbury’s | 9am – 6pm | 8am – 8pm |
| Aldi | Closed | Closed |
| Lidl | Closed | Closed |
| Asda | 9am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
| Co-op | 10am – 7pm | 10am – 7pm |
| Waitrose | Closed | Closed |
| M&S | Closed | Closed |
| Morrisons | 9am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
This table highlights how Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Co-op and Morrisons maintain consistent opening across both days, while Aldi, Lidl, M&S and Waitrose observe full closures on each.
What Is the Cheapest Supermarket for a Christmas Dinner in 2025?
Raisin UK conducted a festive dinner price comparison in December 2025, revealing where UK households can find the best value for their traditional meals. The analysis compared nine major supermarkets and assessed the cost of 11 key Christmas items.
These items included:
- Turkey
- Roast potatoes
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Pigs in blankets
- Parsnips
- Cranberry sauce
- Yorkshire puddings
- Christmas pudding
Christmas Dinner Pricing Comparison 2025
| Supermarket | Total Cost for 4 People |
| Aldi | £14.52 |
| Lidl | £15.10 |
| Asda | £16.45 |
| Tesco | £17.20 |
| Sainsbury’s | £18.00 |
| Morrisons | £18.45 |
| M&S | £20.50 |
| Waitrose | £22.00 |
Aldi emerged as the cheapest option, followed closely by Lidl and Asda. These figures help inform shopping strategies, particularly for households hoping to stretch their festive budgets.
Why Are Last-Minute Deals So Important for UK Households in 2025?
In 2025, economic pressures have made discounts and reduced items more important than ever. The UK food inflation rate sits at 4.2%, placing a strain on everyday grocery budgets. With this context, many households wait for Boxing Day discounts on non-perishable items, meal deals, and leftover festive stock.
Many UK supermarkets now offer:
- Heavily discounted fresh items after 2pm on Boxing Day
- Multibuy deals on snacks, drinks, and frozen meals
- Clearance on Christmas-themed packaging and gift sets
Smart shoppers are learning to time their visits based on markdown patterns and maximise their loyalty app rewards. Retailers like Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons now use digital coupons that refresh on Boxing Day, further incentivising post-Christmas visits.
Conclusion
Knowing which supermarkets are open on Boxing Day can make a significant difference for UK households navigating tight budgets and limited shopping hours.
While Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op and Morrisons offer Boxing Day access, retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S remain closed. Planning ahead and checking local store hours remains the best way to avoid festive shopping stress.
FAQs About UK Supermarkets on Boxing Day
Are any UK supermarkets open all day on Boxing Day?
Most supermarkets operate reduced hours rather than full-day opening, typically closing by early evening.
Do supermarket opening times differ between large stores and convenience branches?
Yes, convenience stores often open longer hours than larger supermarket locations.
Is Boxing Day a good time to find supermarket discounts?
Yes, many supermarkets reduce prices on seasonal items and surplus stock.
Are all supermarkets closed on Christmas Day?
Yes, major UK supermarkets close on Christmas Day, with only some petrol station stores remaining open.
Can supermarket hours vary by region?
Yes, opening times can differ depending on local regulations and store size.
Should shoppers check store hours online before visiting?
Absolutely, checking official store websites prevents unnecessary journeys.
Will supermarkets return to normal hours after Boxing Day?
Most supermarkets resume more regular hours from New Year’s Eve onward.
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