Shopping

Full list of Christmas opening hours at all UK supermarkets 2024

Here's everything you need to know.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th December 2024

Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi, and M&S are among the supermarkets to adjust opening hours at stores across the UK during the festive period.

As Christmas is fast approaching, most of us will have already started to stock up on food and drink for the big day ahead of time, but with so much to prepare for, it’s pretty easy to forget something important – which tends to leave us running to the shops before 25th.

While some have probably opted for home deliveries or Click & Collect services, others still prefer to shop in store.

To help you make sure everything is sorted, we’ve pulled together a list of all the major supermarket opening hours over the festive period, so grab your bags for life and get your shopping list at the ready, because Santa is on his way and he’ll be expecting his annual dose of mince pies.

Here’s a roundup list of supermarket opening hours.

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Tesco

Shoppers are being advised to check the Tesco Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local, as different branches may be operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

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Here’s a rough guideline:

  • 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

Check the opening times for your local Tesco store here.

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Sainsbury’s

Just like Tesco, Sainsbury’s will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, as well as being closed on Christmas day, but shoppers are encouraged to head to the retailer’s Store Locator to find out the opening times for their nearest branch.

  • 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

You can check the opening times for your local Sainsbury’s store here.

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Asda

Following along the same lines as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, Asda shoppers are being advised to check the Asda Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local store, as different branches are operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

Here’s a rough guideline:

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  • Monday 23 December: 5am to 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am – 6pm

Check the opening times for your local ASDA store here.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and more have adjusted their opening hours for the festive period / Credit: Tesco

Morrisons

Morrisons is open throughout the festive season, just like its other competitions, and will only closing on Christmas Day, but hours will vary so you’ll need to check the opening times for your local.

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am to 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm

Check the opening times for your local Morrisons store here.

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Aldi

Aldi stores across the UK are set to close of the three major festive bank holidays this year, meaning doors will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, with reduced hours in operation on the days surrounding it.

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Here’s what you need to know:

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 7am – 6pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 9.30am – 4pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 8pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 6pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

You can find out more about the supermarket’s decision to shut up shop on the three festive bank holidays this year here.

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Lidl

Lidl has released a list of its festive opening hours, and just like Aldi, will also be closing most of its stores on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, but you’ll want to check Lidl’s website to find out more information.

  • Monday 23 December: normal hours
  • Christmas Eve: normal hours
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: normal hours
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local Lidl here.

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Co-op

Just like many other retailers on this list, Co-op’s opening times vary from store to store over the festive period, but the retailer has confirmed it will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day – with all branches closed on Christmas Day across the UK as a standard.

Shoppers are being urged to check the Co-op Store Finder for the opening hours for their nearest branch here.

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M&S

Once again, M&S is another retailer where festive opening hours differ from store to store, so it’s best to check your local branch specifically, but what we do know is that all stores across the UK will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day as a standard.

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  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 11am – 5pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 9pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local M&S store here.

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Featured Image – Morrisons

Shopping

Opening date confirmed for long-awaited Urban Outfitters store at Trafford Centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The opening date for Urban Outfitters’ long-awaited Trafford Centre store has officially been announced.

And it’s opening much sooner than you think.

In case you hadn’t heard, the cult fashion giant – which already has a multi-floor store in Manchester city centre on Market Street – is set to open its second Manchester location over at the Trafford Centre, with the new site spanning more than 6,705 sq ft of space and ready to continue establishing the business as a leader in UK.

The new location will showcase a curated mix of ‘style, culture, and creativity’, with leading brands like BDG, iets frans, Kimchi Blue, Loom, and Ayker all set to line the shelves.

The brand is known for delivering ‘experiential’ stores that offer more than just shopping.

Urban Outfitters EU President, Emma Wisden, says the business has always prioritised creating designs and spaces that are ‘unique’ and inspire its customers to express their style – and that’s what the new Trafford Centre store is aiming to do.

“Our selection of standout proprietary brands, curated vintage products, global brands, and unique home and lifestyle items are individual to Urban Outfitters, and we want to continue to build on this momentum with further growth into Europe,” Emma concluded.

To celebrate the launch of the new store, Urban Outfitters will be hosting an exclusive preview event for fans on the opening day, featuring a live DJ set and lots of giveaways.

The opening date has been confirmed for the long-awaited Urban Outfitters store at the Trafford Centre / Credit: Supplied

There’ll even a customisation station on launch day for products bought in-store too.

“We’re delighted to welcome Urban Outfitters to Trafford Centre,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, adding that it’s a store shoppers have been requesting for a ‘long time’.

“Their unique offering will really resonate with our visitors, particularly as we continue to evolve our retail lineup with brands that bring something fresh and exciting.

Read more:

“We can’t wait to see visitors experiencing everything the new store has to offer.”

Urban Outfitters will be opening at the Trafford Centre next week on Thursday 2 October, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.

Featured Image – Supplied

Shopping

Massive student event to return to Manchester Arndale with discounts, DJs and a silent disco

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Last year's MCR Student Social

Manchester Arndale will be taken over by the MCR Student Social shopping event once again this month, with major retailers offering discounts, prizes, entertainment and loads more.

The annual celebration welcomes new and returning students to the shopping centre for a night of deals, offers and freebies across its shops, restaurants and leisure venues.

This year’s event features live DJs, giveaways, and a roaming Party Tuk Tuk, as well as the return of the Audio North x The Manc DJ truck on Market Street.

The Audio North x The Manc DJ truck will be manned by student DJs from dBs Institute Manchester, who’ll be spinning the finest hip-hop, funk and party anthems throughout the day.

The MCR Student Social will also be getting the Arndale dancing with a huge silent rave right outside Next, hosted by the Super Star MCs.

They’ll be pulling together an evening of dance challenges, shout-outs and a chance to win goodies.

There’ll be plenty more entertainment and freebies between 12pm and 7pm on the night too, like sittings to have a special portrait created by an artistic illustrator for your student digs, and a live DJ at Halle Place.

Roaming the Manchester Arndale all evening will be the Party Tuk Tuk, packed with giveaways and accepting song requests.

Looking for a refuel? The Food and Drink Zone on Market Street will have treats from Manchester Arndale’s top food and drink traders, including Barburrito, Creams, Franco Manca and Popeyes, while at Exchange Square Papa Johns and Tango will be in situ.

Last year's MCR Student Social
Last year's MCR Student Social
Last year's MCR Student Social
Last year’s MCR Student Social for Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc Group

Market Street will also be hosting performances from GFF Damian Dance Studio.

In the Party Zone, students can get stuck into games, prizes, freebies and giveaways from Fusion, Hollister, Iolla, King Pins, PureGym, Søstrene Grene and Urban Playground.

And head to the Info Zone for discounts, giveaways, and interactive games from 42nd Street, Manchester Central Library, National Football Museum, NatWest and Recycle 4 GM.

Not forgetting the shopping itself, with huge discounts available between 12pm and 7pm for students.

That includes up to 50% off at more than 130 shops and services, some of which are listed below.

  • 50% off one pair of glasses from the £70 & above range at Specsavers* in the Arndale.
  • 40% off laser hair removal and skin treatments at Laser Clinics
  • 35% off hair styling tools at Amory London
  • Up to 30% off at shops including JD, Footasylum, AllSaints, Levi’s, Adidas, The North Face, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Space NK, Nike Flying Tiger, Mango, Victoria’s Secret, Barbour and more
  • Up to 50% off food, drink or leisure* at the likes of Michaels Coffee House, Barburrito, HOP Vietnamese, Popeyes, Archie’s, Immersive Gamebox and King Pins

Organised by Manchester Arndale and Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, the annual student shopping event will once again welcome new and returning students to the city.

The MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 25 September from 12pm until 7pm – find out more HERE.

T&Cs apply

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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