Christmas Eve opening hours for Sainsbury's, M&S, Waitrose, Lidl and more

By Phoebe Cornish, Senior Lifestyle Reporter

Most businesses have normal opening hours on December 24 (Image: Getty)

Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in the UK, unlike Christmas Day, December 25. This means that most businesses have normal opening hours on December 24.

But that's not the case for all retailers. Many remain open later than usual to accommodate last-minute shoppers, while others shut shop early to commence the festivities.

Whether you're still searching for a turkey or forgot the Christmas pudding, plenty of supermarkets are open today, Tuesday, December 24.

The best bet for those hoping to score a bargain on gifts is to head to your nearest Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, or Aldi superstore and scour the aisles.

Express.co.uk has rounded up the opening hours Britons should know this Christmas Eve.

Shopping centres and supermarkets will have their busiest days this week (Image: Getty)

Lidl

The budget supermarket giant, which has over 960 stores across the UK, will close over Christmas to give staff a well-earned break. It means that shoppers hoping to visit their local branch today will have to do so in a shorter window than usual, as shops will shut early.

The supermarket chain confirmed that on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December, Lidl stores in England located inside the M25 will open between 7am and 7pm. Those outside the M25 will open between 7am and 6pm.

In Scotland and Wales, all stores will open between 7am and 6pm. All Lidl stores will close in England and Wales on Christmas Day, December 25 and Boxing Day, December 26. Stores in Scotland will reopen on Boxing Day between 11am and 5pm.

Tesco

Tesco store opening hours may differ across the country over the festive period, though most of them will observe the following opening hours:

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 6am to 7pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - 9am to 6pm

Sainsbury’s

Most Sainsbury’s stores will observe the following opening hours over Christmas, though shoppers should use the store finder tool to check local opening hours before heading out.

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 6am to 7pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - 9am to 6pm

Morrisons

Morrisons is open throughout the festive season, only closing on Christmas Day. Hours can vary from store to store, and in Scotland, so check before visiting.

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 5am to 7pm - (see your store for exact times)
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - 9am to 6pm

There's still time to visit shops for last-minute Christmas essentials and gifts (Image: Getty)

Marks and Spencer

M&S Food will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day though on Christmas Eve, most stores will remain open until the later time of 7pm.

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 6am to 7pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - closed

Aldi

Aldi will close all stores on Christmas, Boxing, and New Year’s Day, but most will remain open until 6pm this evening.

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 7am to 6pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - closed

Asda

Asda's opening times vary across its stores, with some open 24 hours daily. However, most stores will observe the following trading hours:

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 5am to 7pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - 9am to 6pm

Co-op

• December 24 (Christmas Eve): Co-op convenience stores will open at their usual time until 8pm
• December 25 (Christmas Day): all stores closed
• December 26 (Boxing Day): Co-op convenience stores will open between 9am to 7pm

Waitrose

Waitrose's majority of shops will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve, but some will stay open until 7pm. A spokesperson said, “All our shops will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with the exception of certain Shell sites. For New Year’s Day, some shops will be opening as normal for trading with reduced hours.”

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 7am to 7pm
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Closed
• Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day) - Closed

B&M

Most B&M stores in the UK will observe the following trading hours:

• Christmas Eve - 10am tp 6pm
• Christmas Day - Closed
• Boxing Day - 9am - 6pm

Home Bargains

• Christmas Eve - 8am to 5pm
• Christmas Day - Closed
• Boxing Day - Closed

B&Q

• Christmas Eve - 7am to 4pm
• Christmas Day - Closed
• Boxing Day - Closed

IKEA

• Christmas Eve - Closed
• Christmas Day - Closed
• Boxing Day - 10am to 6pm

Wickes

• Christmas Eve - Closed
• Christmas Day - Closed
• Boxing Day - Closed