Christmas opening hours 2024 LIVE: Shoppers braced for last-minute chaos as more stores reveal when they will close
SHOPPERS are braced for last-minute chaos as Christmas festivities begin.
As more retailers confirmed the days people will be able to visit their stores, customers can now plan their festive trips to Tesco, Waitrose, and Lidl.
Almost all stores across the UK are shut on Christmas Day, but there are also a handful of retailers that won't open on Boxing Day either.
It is worth checking with your local store, however, as some will be open on Boxing Day on reduced hours.
You can follow our live blog below for all the latest updates ...
Iceland announces Boxing Day closure
A major supermarket will be closing all except 76 of its stores on Boxing Day this year, in a move which might frustrate shoppers outside of London.
will close most of its more than 1,000 stores across the UK on Boxing Day, but has made the decision to keep a limited number open on the December 26.
Are all shops closing on Boxing Day?
It’s common practice for shops across the UK to close on Christmas Day, but not all retailers shut branches on Boxing Day.
Poundland has said it will shut all its branches on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year.
Lidl rival Aldi is also closing all its branches over the same two-day period, as are Home Bargains, John Lewis and Waitrose.
Wickes will also shutter all its branches for three days this Christmas.
Some Co-op shops, however, are open on Boxing Day. Customers are advised to check with their local Co-op for the most up-to-date details.
Welcome to The Sun’s Christmas opening hours 2024 live blog
Thousands of workers at major retail stores will take a well-deserved break this Christmas as more big brands announce closures.
Some high street favourites and supermarkets have confirmed they will pull down the shutters on Boxing Day so staff don’t miss out on family time.
We’ll be listing all the updates and news from stores across the UK in this blog so you can plan your festive shopping.
Christmas dinner costs that may surprise you
With 10 days to go it’s time to start getting the turkey in, plus all the trimmings, but how much will it cost you this year?
New research from reveals how much your Christmas dinner is set to cost you at the UK’s top supermarkets, from cheapest to most expensive, and some of the findings may surprise you.
The findings revealed that the upmarket supermarket, Waitrose, came out cheaper than Iceland and Sainsbury for a turkey with all the trimmings. A Waitrose Christmas dinner will cost you £40.32 while the Iceland equivalent will cost you £46.70 and Sainsbury’s will set you back £42.67.
Ole Hansen, from Saxo said: “Year-on-year food price inflation is currently at a moderate 2% according to the UN FAO’s Global Food Price index.”
Aldi just piped Asda to the top spot for the cheapest Christmas dinner, where a roast with all the trimmings will cost you £24.62 and just 14p more at Asda costing £24.86.
At the other end of the scale, Ocado claimed the most expensive place, where your dinner could cost you nearly £80 and £55 more than Aldi.
Wetherspoons reveals when 664 pubs will open on Christmas Day
Wetherspoons is set to open more than 600 pubs on Christmas Day, allowing punters to get together and mark the occasion.
The pub giant has revealed to The Sun the complete list 664 branches that will open on December 25.
You can see the full list in the story, below.
John Lewis and Waitrose opening hours
The vast majority of Waitrose supermarkets and all standalone John Lewis stores will be shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) which runs the two brands exclusively told The Sun it will shut on December 26.
More than 300 Waitrose branches and 33 John Lewis sites will be shut with just a handful of Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations remaining open on Boxing Day.
And only John Lewis shops within the Trafford and Stratford shopping centres will remain open.
The brand also closed on Boxing Day last year.
Aldi Christmas opening hours
The discounter has said it will close on Boxing Day, as well as Christmas Day.
Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is such a special period for many of our colleagues, and by keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, Aldi gives them more time to spend with their loved ones.
“Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas, with exciting Christmas ranges hitting shelves in time for the festive season.”
It’s not the first time Aldi has closed on Boxing Day – the discounter has been doing so for the past few years.
David Lloyd clubs
David Lloyd Leisure, founded by tennis legend David Lloyd in 1982, now operates over 100 gyms across the UK.
The brand is synonymous with “luxury” and provides swimming, tennis, and personalised fitness classes.
The chain will close early on Christmas Eve and will remain shut on Christmas Day 2024.
Why are more stores closing on Boxing day?
In recent years, more and more retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26, delaying customers’ shopping sprees by another day.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday which means opening hours are already reduced.
Festive fitness
Unlike numerous gym chains across the UK, the Gym Group keeps its branches open 24/7, giving you the flexibility to work out whenever you please.
However, this festive season will see a change in their schedule. The gyms will close early on Christmas Eve at 4:30pm and they will stay shut on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, even though they typically operate on bank holidays.
Normal hours will resume on December 27, with doors opening at 8am.
The gyms will also welcome customers on New Year’s Day.
Iceland announces Boxing Day closure
A major supermarket will be closing all except 76 of its stores on Boxing Day this year, in a move which might frustrate shoppers outside of London.
will close most of its more than 1,000 stores across the UK on Boxing Day, but has made the decision to keep a limited number open on the December 26.
Are all shops closing on Boxing Day?
It’s common practice for shops across the UK to close on Christmas Day, but not all retailers shut branches on Boxing Day.
Poundland has said it will shut all its branches on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year.
Lidl rival Aldi is also closing all its branches over the same two-day period, as are Home Bargains, John Lewis and Waitrose.
Wickes will also shutter all its branches for three days this Christmas.
Some Co-op shops, however, are open on Boxing Day. Customers are advised to check with their local Co-op for the most up-to-date details.
End of traditional Boxing Day sprees?
Almost all stores close up on Christmas Day but, traditionally, shoppers head out on Boxing Day to cash in on cut-price goods.
However, in recent years, more and more retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26, delaying customers’ shopping sprees by another day.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday which means opening hours are already reduced.
Some stores may also close early on Christmas Eve and other days around the festive period so it’s worth double checking opening times in advance to avoid a wasted trip out.
Welcome to The Sun’s Christmas opening hours 2024 live blog
Thousands of workers at major retail stores will take a well-deserved break this Christmas as more big brands announce closures.
Some high street favourites and supermarkets have confirmed they will pull down the shutters on Boxing Day so staff don’t miss out on family time.
We’ll be listing all the updates and news from stores across the UK in this blog so you can plan your festive shopping.
End of traditional Boxing Day sprees?
Almost all stores close up on Christmas Day but, traditionally, shoppers head out on Boxing Day to cash in on cut-price goods.
However, in recent years, more and more retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26, delaying customers’ shopping sprees by another day.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday which means opening hours are already reduced.
Some stores may also close early on Christmas Eve and other days around the festive period so it’s worth double checking opening times in advance to avoid a wasted trip out.
Festive tipples
Pub giant Wetherspoon has revealed to The Sun the complete list of 664 branches that will open on December 25.
Venues across the country – from Scotland to Kent – will open their doors and give families and friends a chance to get together and raise a toast to the festive season.
Festive fitness
Unlike numerous gym chains across the UK, the Gym Group keeps its branches open 24/7, giving you the flexibility to work out whenever you please.
However, this festive season will see a change in their schedule. The gyms will close early on Christmas Eve at 4:30pm.
They will stay shut on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, even though they typically operate on bank holidays.
Normal hours will resume on December 27, with doors opening at 8am.
The gyms will also welcome customers on New Year’s Day.
David Lloyd clubs
David Lloyd Leisure, founded by tennis legend David Lloyd in 1982, now operates over 100 gyms across the UK.
The brand is synonymous with “luxury” and provides swimming, tennis, and personalised fitness classes.
The chain will close early on Christmas Eve and will remain shut on Christmas Day 2024.
Post Office at Christmas
Main Post Offices are open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
On Christmas Eve they will close early at 4pm, and will remain closed on December 25 and December 26.
After Boxing Day, they will reopen as normal.
However, they will close again on New Year’s Day to give their workers some more time with their families.
Welcome to The Sun’s Christmas opening hours 2024 live blog
Thousands of workers at major retail stores will take a well-deserved break this Christmas as more big brands announce closures.
Some high street favourites and supermarkets have confirmed they will pull down the shutters on Boxing Day so staff don’t miss out on family time.
We’ll be listing all the updates and news from stores across the UK in this blog so you can plan your festive shopping.
Total Fitness
Despite having only 15 health clubs across England and Wales, Total Fitness boasts an impressive 80,000 members.
Typically, their operating hours vary by location.
Most of the chain’s branches will close early at 2:30pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
They will be completely closed on December 25 and 26, as well as on New Year’s Day.
End of traditional Boxing Day sprees?
Almost all stores close up on Christmas Day but, traditionally, shoppers head out on Boxing Day to cash in on cut-price goods.
However, in recent years, more and more retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26, delaying customers’ shopping sprees by another day.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday which means opening hours are already reduced.
Some stores may also close early on Christmas Eve and other days around the festive period so it’s worth double checking opening times in advance to avoid a wasted trip out.
Are all shops closing on Boxing Day?
It’s common practice for shops across the UK to close on Christmas Day, but not all retailers shut branches on Boxing Day.
Poundland has said it will shut all its branches on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year.
Lidl rival Aldi is also closing all its branches over the same two-day period, as are Home Bargains, John Lewis and Waitrose.
Wickes will also shutter all its branches for three days this Christmas.
Some Co-op shops, however, are open on Boxing Day. Customers are advised to check with their local Co-op for the most up-to-date details.
Festive tipples
Pub giant Wetherspoon has revealed to The Sun the complete list of 664 branches that will open on December 25.
Venues across the country – from Scotland to Kent – will open their doors and give families and friends a chance to get together and raise a toast to the festive season.