Tesco Christmas Opening Hours 2025: Your Complete Guide to Festive Shopping Times

Planning Your Christmas Shop at Tesco

As Christmas approaches, knowing when your local supermarket is open becomes essential for last-minute shopping and festive preparations. Tesco 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. Understanding these adjusted opening times can help shoppers avoid disappointment and plan their festive purchases more effectively.

Tesco’s Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Tesco is shut up and down the UK on Christmas Day, following standard practice for major UK supermarkets. However, the retailer will operate with modified hours throughout the festive period. On Christmas Eve, stores open 6am to 7pm (Express stores 7am to 10pm), whilst Boxing Day hours are 9am to 6pm. For those planning New Year shopping, New Year’s Day hours are 10am to 5pm, though Scottish stores may have slightly different timings.

The chain’s larger stores and express outlets will be operating over the course of the holidays, but at alternative hours to its usual times. This variation means shoppers need to verify their specific branch’s schedule before making the journey.

Why Checking Your Local Store Matters

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. This is particularly important during the Christmas period when two-thirds of households will have to heavily rely on last-minute supermarket deals to afford Christmas this year but changing store opening times could impact their ability to secure these savings.

The variation in opening hours between different Tesco formats – from large Extra stores to smaller Express outlets – means that whilst general guidelines apply, individual locations may adjust their schedules based on local circumstances and staffing availability.

Making the Most of Your Festive Shopping

To avoid the stress of unexpected closures and crowded aisles, shoppers should plan ahead and confirm their local Tesco’s festive opening times using the official store locator on Tesco’s website. With Christmas shopping budgets tighter than ever and many families depending on last-minute deals, knowing exactly when your local branch is open could make all the difference to a successful festive season.