Christmas in London 2022: seasonal opening hours for supermarkets from Asda to Lidl and Tesco

It’s a fate worse than a ruined Christmas turkey; it’s Boxing Day in London and despite thinking the contrary, there isn’t enough milk left for guests coming to visit. Even worse than that, you’ve run out of toilet paper and not sure if anywhere is open to pick more up. Especially with that period between Christmas Day and New Years eve when opening hours are intermittent

A number of supermarkets in London have already unveiled their season opening hours for 2023, including a number of earlier and later hours to avoid the inevitable Christmas Eve shopping rush. Those supermarkets include Asda, Tesco and Morrisons, who will open from 6am Christmas Eve.

A number of supermarkets have taken to closing on Boxing Day to allow their workers to enjoy a more lengthy Christmas break. Both Lidl and Aldi have released statements regarding the close over Boxing Day with Waitrose also following suit.

Aldi explained the Boxing Day closures as “a thank you to colleagues and in recognition of their hard work throughout the year” though have reassured customers that “the majority of stores will also be open from 8am until 8pm in between Christmas and New Year, and until 6pm on New Year’s Eve to help shoppers get everything they need to ring in 2022.”

Londonworld has taken a look at the majority of supermarkets across the Boroughs to bring a comprehensive list of opening times over Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. However with the nature of local, smaller stores operating differing hours compared to their bigger counterparts, we’ve also included links to store locators for extra assurance of local opening times.

What are the opening times for supermarkets in London over the holiday period?

Asda

Asda have confirmed that they will be running reduced hours on Boxing Day 2022, while opening early on Christmas Eve and closing at 7pm - an hour later than many of its competitors.

• Christmas Eve: 6am - 7pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 9am - 4pm

Visit the Asda store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores.

Aldi

Aldi have confirmed that they will be expanding their opening hours over the 2022 Christmas and New Year period, with the supermarket remaining open until 6pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. They will however be closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

• Christmas Eve 7am - 6pm
• Christmas Day closed
• Boxing Day closed

Visit the Aldi Store Locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores.

Lidl

Much like their counterpart Aldi, Lidl will be opening until 6am on Christmas Eve but will remain closed over Boxing Day to allow employees more of an opportunity to spend time with family and friends this season.

• Christmas Eve: 7am-6pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: Closed

Visit the Lidl store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores.

Tesco

The majority of Tesco supermarkets will be open on Boxing Day 2022, but with some smaller branches including Tesco Metro and Tesco Express stores in some areas running different operating hours, the supermarket chain advises to check local opening hours through their store locator.

• Christmas Eve: 6am - 6pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 9am - 6pm

Morrisons

Morrisons have confirmed that they will open on Boxing Day this year with regular hours for shoppers to replenish their cupboards. The supermarket will also be opening at 6am on Christmas Eve to help alleviate last-minute queues at the checkout.

• Christmas Eve: 6am-6pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 9am-6pm

Visit the Morrisons store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores

Iceland/The Food Warehouse

Iceland confirmed that they would remain closed on Boxing Day once again to allow employees to spend more time with their families during the 2023 Christmas period.

• Christmas Eve: 8am - 6pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: Closed

Visit the Iceland/The Food Warehouse store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores

Sainsbury’s

Most Sainbury’s superstores will reopen on Boxing Day, however some smaller Sainsbury’s Local stores may run alternative hours during the Christmas holidays. For more accurate information, the supermarket suggests checking their store locator for local opening hours.

• Christmas Eve: 7am - 7pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 10:00am - 5pm

Waitrose

Waitrose have confirmed on their website that the majority of their stores will be open on Christmas Eve from 7am to 6pm, but that on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, stores will be closed with the exception of those in Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts – some of which will be open 24 hours.

• Christmas Eve: 7am - 6pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: Closed

Visit the Waitrose store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores

Co-Op

The Co-Op have advised that there may be local variations to their seasonal hours in London, however the majority of larger Co-Op supermarkets in the city will reopen on Boxing Day.

• Christmas Eve: 7am - 9pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 8am - 8pm

Visit the Co-Op store locator page for additional/alternative times at local stores.