Aldi Christmas Opening Times 2025: The 62-Hour Store Closure Explained

Make no mistake: the Christmas food run is a military operation. But this year, your strategy needs a serious update. Aldi has confirmed a strict Aldi 62 hour closure over the festive period, a move that will see every single one of its 1,000+ UK stores go dark from Christmas Eve until the Saturday following Christmas.

While competitors often dabble in limited Boxing Day hours, Aldi is locking the doors completely.

If you are used to popping out for emergency milk or extra roast potatoes on Boxing Day, this policy will catch you out. For families on a budget, knowing exactly when the shutters come down is the difference between a stress-free Christmas dinner and a frantic dash to an overpriced petrol station.

This guide breaks down the exact Aldi 62 hour closure schedule, compares it with other major supermarkets, and provides a “Freshness Survival Guide” to keep your veg crisp during the three-day blackout.

The 62-Hour Blackout: Exact Dates and Times

Let’s cut straight to the chase. The “62 hours” refers to the continuous block of time between the checkout lights turning off on Christmas Eve and the doors sliding open on December 27th.

Aldi has long championed the importance of staff welfare, and 2025 is no exception. They are prioritizing a proper break for their colleagues over the traditional Boxing Day sales rush.

When Does Aldi Close for Christmas?

The cutoff is sharp. Unlike some stores that stay open until 10 pm on the 23rd, Christmas Eve sees an early finish.

The Critical Window:

Note: Check your local store finder as slight regional variations can occur, particularly in Scotland.

When Does Aldi Reopen?

The silence breaks at 8:00 am on Saturday, December 27th.

My Pro-Tip for the “Reopening Rush”:

Most shoppers assume the shelves will be bare on the 27th. The opposite is often true. Because the stores close at 6 pm on Christmas Eve, fresh stock that wasn’t sold often gets heavily reduced immediately upon reopening on the 27th to clear space for New Year’s stock.

If you are looking for premium meats, cheeses, or party food for New Year’s Eve, the morning of Saturday the 27th is a “Golden Hour” for red sticker deals.

Full Aldi Christmas Opening Schedule 2025

To help you plan your entire holiday week, here is the projected schedule based on official releases from the Aldi UK Press Centre. This covers the run-up to the big day and the New Year transition.

• Monday 22 Dec: 07:00 – 22:00

• Tuesday 23 Dec: 07:00 – 22:00

• Christmas Eve: 07:00 – 18:00 (Last chance to shop)

• Christmas Day: CLOSED

• Boxing Day: CLOSED

• Saturday 27 Dec: 08:00 – 20:00

• Sunday 28 Dec: 09:30 – 16:00 (Standard Sunday Trade)

• Monday 29 Dec: 08:00 – 20:00

• Tuesday 30 Dec: 08:00 – 20:00

• New Year’s Eve: 08:00 – 18:00 (Early Close)

• New Year’s Day: CLOSED

• Friday 2 Jan: 08:00 – 20:00

[Check your local Aldi store finder here]

Why Is Aldi Closing? (The Staff Welfare Stance)

You might wonder why a budget retailer would turn away business on Boxing Day, traditionally one of the busiest retail days of the year.

The decision is rooted in company culture. Aldi has consistently stated that their colleagues work incredibly hard during the festive buildup. The Aldi 62 hour closure is a deliberate gift of time, ensuring that staff can spend two full days with their families without the looming threat of an early shift the next morning.

This isn’t a new strategy for Aldi, but it stands in stark contrast to the “open at all costs” mentality of the past decade. By guaranteeing this break, Aldi reinforces its position as an employer of choice in the retail sector.

[Read the official statement from Aldi UK People Director]

Competitor Comparison: Who Is Open on Boxing Day?

If you do forget the double cream, where can you go? While Aldi and Lidl often move in lockstep regarding closures, the “Big Four” supermarkets operate differently.

Here is the expected landscape for Boxing Day 2025:

The Takeaway: If you need emergency supplies on December 26th, head to a Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local, or a large Asda. Do not drive to Aldi; the car park barriers will be down.

The “Freshness Reality Check”: Surviving the 3-Day Gap

The biggest anxiety regarding the Aldi 62 hour closure isn’t the lack of shopping time—it’s the fear that your fresh produce won’t survive until the main meal.

If you buy your vegetables on Tuesday the 23rd to avoid the Christmas Eve chaos, you need them to stay pristine for Christmas lunch. That is a 48-hour gap before they even touch the pan.

Here is my “Experience-Based” guide to keeping Aldi Super 6 produce fresh during the closure.

1. The Root Veg Rule (Carrots & Parsnips)

The Mistake: Leaving them in the plastic bag with the tops on.

The Fix: If you buy carrots with leafy green tops, chop the tops off immediately. The leaves act as a pump, drawing moisture out of the vegetable and making it limp (rubbery) within 24 hours. Once trimmed, store them in the fridge crisper drawer.

2. The Brussels Sprout Strategy

The Mistake: Prepping them too early.

The Fix: Do not wash, peel, or cut a cross in your sprouts until you are ready to boil them. Moisture is the enemy here. Keep them in the net or a perforated bag in the fridge. They are hardy and will easily survive the 62-hour closure if kept dry.

3. Potatoes (The Dark Room Method)

The Mistake: Putting potatoes in the fridge.

The Fix: Cold temperatures convert potato starch into sugar, which creates a weirdly sweet taste and causes them to brown too quickly when roasted. Store your bag of Aldi potatoes in a cool, dark cupboard (like a pantry or under the sink), away from onions.

The “Big Shop” Timeline

To beat the closure without stress, split your shop:

• December 20 (Saturday): The “Heavy Lift.” Buy your alcohol, soft drinks, chocolates, frozen turkey/crowns, and cupboard staples (stuffing mix, gravy granules, cranberry sauce).

• December 23 (Tuesday): The “Fresh Run.” Go early (7 am or 8 pm). Buy your dairy (cream, butter), fresh vegetables, and chilled meats.

• December 24 (Christmas Eve): Avoid unless absolutely necessary. If you must go, go for reductions, not essentials.

FAQs

Is Aldi open on Boxing Day 2025?

No. All Aldi stores in the UK will remain closed on Boxing Day (December 26). This is part of their 62-hour planned closure to give staff a break.

Is Aldi open on New Year’s Day 2025?

No. Aldi stores will be closed on New Year’s Day. They typically close early on New Year’s Eve (6 pm) and reopen on January 2nd.

Why do Aldi close on Boxing Day when Tesco is open?

Aldi operates with a smaller workforce and a higher efficiency model. Their policy is to reward this efficiency with guaranteed time off, whereas larger chains like Tesco rely on rotating shifts to cover Boxing Day hours.

What time does Aldi close on Christmas Eve?

Aldi closes at 6:00 pm sharp on Christmas Eve. Security usually prevents entry roughly 10-15 minutes before closing, so do not arrive at 5:55 pm expecting to do a full shop.

Is Lidl open on Boxing Day 2025?

Lidl typically follows Aldi’s lead and keeps stores closed on Boxing Day, though you should check the Lidl app for specific local confirmation closer to the time.

When do Aldi reduce Christmas food prices?

Aldi begins marking down perishable Christmas items (turkeys, festive bakes, trimmings) on the afternoon of Christmas Eve (from 2 pm onwards). Further reductions (often 75% off) are found when stores reopen on the morning of December 27th.

Are Aldi ‘Specialbuys’ available during Christmas week?

Yes, but expect delays. The “Middle Aisle” is often reorganized to make space for seasonal food products. Standard Specialbuys resume their normal cycle in the New Year.

Summary

The Aldi 62 hour closure is a major event in the UK retail calendar, signaling a shift towards work-life balance for retail staff. For you, the shopper, it simply requires a little extra foresight.

• The Lock-in: 6 pm Christmas Eve.

• The Lock-out: 62 hours of no access.

• The Re-entry: 8 am Saturday, Dec 27.

Don’t view the closure as an inconvenience; view it as a predictable deadline. Use the freshness tips above, get your shopping done by the 23rd, and enjoy your own Christmas break without worrying about running out of milk.

Next Step: Share this schedule with your family WhatsApp group right now so no one is left tasked with a futile “emergency run” to Aldi on Boxing Day morning.

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Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

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