Do all shops have to close on Christmas Day?

In England and Wales, not all shops must close on Christmas Day; however, the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 prohibits "large shops" (over 280 square metres/3,000 sq ft) from opening. Small, independent shops, convenience stores, petrol stations, and pharmacies are permitted to open, as are shops in Scotland.

Do shops legally have to close on Christmas Day?

Yes, in England and Wales, large shops (over 280 sq metres) must legally close on Christmas Day due to the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004, with exemptions for smaller shops (under 280 sq metres), pharmacies, and shops in transport hubs. Similar laws exist in Scotland (Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007). 

Do I legally have to work on Christmas Day?

Whether or not you have to work on Christmas Day will depend on your contract of employment. This is usually a written document but it does not have to be; the terms can also be found in what is implied through custom and practice.

What is allowed to open on Christmas Day?

On Christmas Day, small shops (under 280 sq meters), petrol stations, pharmacies, and businesses in airports/rail stations/motorway services, plus hospitality venues (restaurants, pubs, takeaways), are generally allowed to open in the UK, while large supermarkets and high-street stores (over 280 sq meters) must remain closed in England and Wales due to the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004. However, many smaller businesses and hospitality venues choose to close to give staff the holiday, so checking local times is always best. 

Does every store close on Christmas?

No, not all stores close on Christmas Day, but the vast majority of large supermarkets and high street retailers do, especially in the UK and US, to give staff a holiday, though you can often find smaller convenience stores, pharmacies (like CVS), and some petrol stations open for limited hours for last-minute needs; always check local listings, as rules and specific closures vary by location and retailer.
 

Most grocery stores closed Christmas Day. Here's what's open

Is Tesco closed on Christmas Day?

All major UK supermarkets close on Christmas Day, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, Iceland, Co-op, Waitrose and others. This applies to both larger superstores and most smaller convenience sites, with only a handful of petrol stations or motorway services operating in limited cases.

What is normally open on Christmas Day?

Several national restaurant chains usually operate on Christmas Day, though hours vary by location. Commonly open options include Starbucks, McDonald's, IHOP, Waffle House, Dunkin', Denny's, Krispy Kreme and select fast-food chains. Many locations run shorter hours, so checking online before heading out is key.

Do McDonald's close on Christmas Day?

No, not all McDonald's locations close on Christmas; many remain open with reduced hours, but it varies by franchise, so you must check your local store using the McDonald's app or restaurant locator on their website to confirm if your specific restaurant will be open on Christmas Day. 

Is 25 and 26 December a public holiday?

UK bank holidays between 2025 and 2026

There are two remaining bank holiday dates in 2025: 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day. 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day.

Do you get paid on Christmas Day?

Friday, December 25th, is a federal banking holiday. The Federal Reserve pauses ACH payments on all federal holidays, which can delay direct deposit payments. If your payday falls on or immediately after this holiday, you may need to run payroll one business day early to avoid paying employees late.

Is Christmas Day double pay?

No, Christmas day is not automatically double pay by law; it depends entirely on your employment contract, company policy, or union agreements, as UK/US law doesn't mandate premium holiday rates, though many employers offer it as a perk, especially for difficult-to-fill shifts in retail, hospitality, or healthcare. You must check your contract or staff handbook for specifics on enhanced pay or time-off-in-lieu for working Christmas. 

Do Tesco staff work on Christmas Day?

No, working on all of the designated Bank Holidays over Christmas and New Year is voluntary for all staff (whether day or night staff) in all Tesco stores, irrespective of their start date with the Company. You can choose to book off any contracted shifts that fall on a Bank Holiday using your holiday allowance.

Do I get paid for Christmas if I don't work?

If a general holiday falls on a regular workday, an employee may receive the day off work and their full salary for the day. If a general holiday does not fall on a regular workday and the employee does not work on the holiday, no general holiday pay is owed.

Why do Sunday trading laws still exist?

The government says there are no plans to change the law. Sunday Trading regulations date back to the Sunday Fares Act of 1488, when the last day of the week was traditionally a religious day of rest.

Do Wetherspoons open on Christmas Day?

Yes, many Wetherspoons pubs are open on Christmas Day, but typically with limited hours (around 11 AM to 3 PM) and for drinks only, with food usually unavailable except in airport locations. You'll need to check the specific pub's listing on the JD Wetherspoon website or local news for exact times and confirmation, as not all branches participate. 

Can my employer make me use my holiday for Christmas Day?

An employer has the right to make changes to when workers take holiday if they need to. For example, they can decide to shut over Christmas and tell their workers to use some of their holiday entitlement. This is the case even if in previous years the business was open over Christmas.

Is 26 December a working day in the UK?

Neither the 23rd or 24th are bank holidays (national holidays) in the UK. The 25th and 26th are. A lot of people will book them off though - especially if they're at the start of Christmas week. People might be off work, but it isn't an official holiday - that's reserved for the 25th and 26th this year.

Is December 24 a legal holiday?

Christmas and New Year's Eve, or December 24 and 31, are special non-working days, DOLE said, and the following pay guidelines should apply. The "no work, no pay" principle shall apply if the employee skips work unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement.

Is 2nd of January 2025 a public holiday?

The first bank holiday of 2025 was New Year's Day on Wednesday, 1 January. In Scotland, the celebrations extended to include an additional bank holiday on Thursday, 2 January. Looking ahead from today, the next bank holiday will be St Andrew's Day (substitute) on Monday, 1 December 2025 in Scotland.

Does McDonald's close on Christmas Day?

No, not all McDonald's locations close on Christmas; many remain open with reduced hours, but it varies by franchise, so you must check your local store using the McDonald's app or restaurant locator on their website to confirm if your specific restaurant will be open on Christmas Day. 

What is the 90 second rule at McDonald's?

Hi, the standard order preparation time is 90 seconds. Enjoy your next meal!

Is anywhere open on Christmas Day in the UK?

On Christmas Day in the UK, most shops are closed, but you'll find some restaurants, pubs (especially chains like Wetherspoons), hotels, and some 24/7 McDonald's and cafes (like Gail's) open, primarily in large cities like London, with transport severely reduced (buses, tubes, trains largely stop). Major attractions and churches, such as St Paul's Cathedral, offer special services, while hotels and holiday tours also provide festive experiences, but it's essential to check specific opening times and book ahead.
 

Are pubs allowed to open on Christmas Day?

Yes, some pubs do open on Christmas Day, but it varies greatly; many open for limited hours (often lunch only, e.g., 12-3 pm) or offer pre-booked Christmas lunch, while many others close entirely to give staff the day off, so you need to check with specific pubs well in advance. Expect shorter hours and booking requirements if they are open, as it's a popular, but limited, offering. 

What should I do on Christmas Day?

Just choose your favorite from those below or use them to inspire an idea all your own.

• Take a Holiday Card Photo. ...
• Visit A Christmas Tree Farm. ...
• Decorate a Gingerbread House. ...
• Bake Unique Christmas Cookies. ...
• Plan a Family Photoshoot. ...
• Host a Holiday Game Night. ...
• Host a Christmas Craft Party. ...
• Write Letters to Santa.

Do Americans get Christmas Day off?

Most offices are closed christmas eve and day. But some bigger businesses like pharma companies do a full 2 week shutdown at the end of the year.