Aldi shuts every UK store for 3 days this Christmas: will your shop be ready by 24 December?

Festive timetables are shifting again, and millions of shoppers may need to rethink the big Christmas food run as supermarkets tweak hours.

Aldi has confirmed a trio of festive shutdowns across its entire UK estate, covering Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The move affects more than 1,050 stores in England, Scotland and Wales and mirrors a growing retail trend to ring‑fence time off for staff over the holidays.

What is changing and when

The discount grocer will close all branches on Thursday 25 December and Friday 26 December 2025, then reopen on Saturday 27 December. Trading will run as normal from 27 to 31 December. Doors will shut again on New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January 2026, before stores reopen on Friday 2 January.

All 1,050+ Aldi stores in England, Scotland and Wales will shut on 25–26 December and 1 January.

Extended trading is planned in the run‑up to Christmas so shoppers can stock up before the two‑day festive shutdown.

Why Aldi is doing this

Executives at the UK’s fourth‑largest supermarket say the plan gives store colleagues guaranteed family time at the peak of the holidays. The policy follows previous festive seasons where Aldi shut on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Management framed the decision as recognition of the long hours staff clock up to deliver the busiest grocery week of the year.

Retail labour policies have shifted since the pandemic. Many chains now prioritise guaranteed days off on the 25th and 26th, pointing to well‑being, retention and recruitment. Aldi’s stance aims to keep that momentum, while still leaning on extended opening before 24 December to manage demand.

How rivals are lining up

Home Bargains will also stay dark for three straight days, closing from Christmas Day and reopening on Saturday 27 December. The family‑run discounter describes the pause as a thank‑you to staff. B&M, by contrast, plans to shut for Christmas Day and reopen on Boxing Day. The picture suggests a split approach: some value retailers opt for full festive breaks, others chase Boxing Day trade.

What this means for your shop

Three zero‑trading days across the period create a short but sharp squeeze on supply runs. Shoppers who plan now can avoid last‑minute scrambles and inflated baskets.

• Map your meals from 24–27 December and 31 December–2 January; build a list around perishables and long‑life items.
• Buy fresh for Christmas Day by 23–24 December; freeze or chill spares for Boxing Day and the 27th.
• Lean on staples with longer shelf life: root veg, UHT dairy, cured meats, sealed pastries, and tins.
• Reserve freezer space for bread, part‑baked rolls, desserts and party snacks for New Year’s Eve.
• Check store‑specific hours in the final week; extended opening windows ease pressure after work.
• Consider a two‑stop approach: one big basket before Christmas Eve; a smaller top‑up on the 27th.

Expect earlier and later trading before Christmas

Aldi plans longer opening in the days before 25 December, though exact times vary by location. Many branches typically add earlier starts or later finishes to spread footfall. If you’re juggling commuting or child care, build your shop into those quieter fringes. Early morning tends to be calmer, restocks are fresher and queues shorter.

Prices, stock and the middle aisle

Aldi’s price reputation remains central to its draw, and basket costs usually tighten just before the holidays. Seasonal produce, party food and bakery lines move quickly. The famed middle aisle will still rotate Specialbuys up to Christmas Eve, but do not count on those fixtures for essential food lines. If a must‑have seasonal product matters to your menu, buy it when you see it rather than waiting for the final day.

What staff get from the change

Retail workers often see limited family time in December. Guaranteed closures reduce rota stress, cut back‑to‑back shifts, and help with overnight replenishment planning. The certainty also improves training and staffing for the pre‑Christmas rush, where picking efficiency and front‑end coverage matter most. Retail unions have long argued that predictable festive downtime improves retention and lowers sick leave in January, which benefits shoppers once stores reopen.

Planning help for households

To keep waste down, plan portions with your household size. A typical 1.5kg turkey crown feeds four to six adults; roast potatoes portion at 250g per person; pudding at 100–125g each. Freeze leftovers within two hours and label dates. Most cooked meats keep two to three days in the fridge; gravy freezes well and reheats cleanly for the 27th.

If you host on New Year’s Eve, buy ambient snacks and mixers during the post‑Christmas trading window. Fresh canapés and bakery items sell out fast on the 31st, so collect them early and keep chilled. Consider a split menu: half hot bites from the freezer, half fresh platters assembled on the day. That approach trims cost and reduces last‑minute prep.

Key takeaways for your calendar

• Shop big by Tue 23 or Wed 24 December for fresh centrepieces.
• Expect every Aldi store to be closed on 25 and 26 December.
• Top up from Saturday 27 December when normal hours resume.
• Plan ahead for Thursday 1 January, as all stores close again.
• Normal trading returns on Friday 2 January 2026.

Plan for three non‑trading days and use the extended pre‑Christmas hours: that’s the simplest way to keep costs, queues and stress down.