Where should I go on Boxing Day?

On Boxing Day (Dec 26), popular options include taking a refreshing winter walk in local parks or beaches, hitting the retail sales, visiting a cinema or theatre for a pantomime, or enjoying a leisurely pub lunch. Many also choose to spend the day visiting family, playing new games, or relaxing at home.

Where is good to go on Boxing Day?

The royal parks of London provide serene and beautiful areas for Boxing Day. The best spots to walk during winter are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Green Park, where visitors would have a chance to rest, breathe the fresh winter air, and enjoy the winter decorations of the city.

What can I do on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day activities range from relaxing at home with leftovers and movies to getting out for brisk winter walks, ice skating, festive markets, or tackling huge sales, with traditions often including sports (like football or cricket), pub visits, and playing with new gifts to extend the holiday fun. The day offers a chance to decompress after Christmas chaos, whether you prefer cozy indoor fun or bracing outdoor adventures, often centered around family, food, and relaxation. 

Where is Boxing Day most popular?

In the U.K. and other British Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Boxing Day is also one of the most popular shopping days of the year, rivaling Black Friday in the United States.

Does anything open on Boxing Day?

Which supermarkets are open on Boxing Day? Some of the biggest names reopen on Boxing Day but with shorter hours than normal. Tesco: Superstores open 9am – 6pm; Express stores open 9am – 7pm. Asda: Superstores will reopen on Boxing Day on reduced hours, 9am – 6pm.

How to Start Boxing (Must Watch)

Are Primark open on Boxing Day?

Yes, Primark is generally open on Boxing Day (December 26th) across the UK, but with reduced or varied hours, so you must check your specific local store's times on their website as they often open later and close earlier than usual for the post-Christmas sales. Most stores participate in Boxing Day sales, making them popular destinations, but always use the official Primark store locator to confirm hours before visiting. 

Where to shop on Boxing Day?

If you're looking for luxury goods at discounted prices, Harrods is your go-to destination. Known worldwide for its opulence and grandeur, this department store transforms into a treasure trove during the Boxing Day sales.

What do Brits do on Boxing Day?

In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago, Boxing Day is a popular shopping holiday. Boxing Day sales are common, and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue.

Why is 26 called Boxing Day?

Boxing Day, December 26th, gets its name from Victorian Britain's tradition of wealthy employers giving servants "Christmas boxes" of gifts, money, or leftover food as thanks for their year-round service, as servants worked Christmas Day and got the 26th off to visit their own families. Another theory links it to church alms boxes, which collected donations during Advent and were opened on December 26th (St. Stephen's Day) to distribute to the poor. 

Is Boxing Day or Black Friday bigger?

Australian retailers are leaning on Boxing Day sales to clear stock after a bumper lead-up to Christmas, but the day's supremacy as the nation's biggest shopping day has fallen to US import Black Friday.

Are things cheap on Boxing Day?

Yes, there are always massive Boxing Day deals, typically starting right after Christmas (December 26th) and often bleeding into the January sales, with major discounts on tech, fashion, home goods, and more from retailers like Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, and Argos. These sales are a huge opportunity to clear out inventory with significant price drops, making it a prime time for post-Christmas bargain hunting. 

What do Brits eat on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day food in the UK is all about using Christmas leftovers creatively, featuring hearty dishes like turkey curry, bubble & squeak, leftover pies, and gammon, alongside grazing options like cheese boards with pickles, sausage rolls, and festive brunches (Kedgeree, hash browns), with an emphasis on effortless, crowd-pleasing buffets and comfort food. 

Is Boxing Day worth it?

Boxing Day: If you find gift cards in your stocking, don't sleep on Boxing Day. It's when retailers are trying to offload inventory before the new year. (Even better to shop if the government reinstates the GST/HST break from last year—fingers crossed.)

How do people spend Boxing Day?

Shopping on Boxing Day

The sales offered by the retailers are not just a shopping spree, but they are a crucial part of the traditional day, Boxing Day. Shopping on Boxing Day has not only become a tradition for the residents of the UK, but it has also spread throughout the commonwealth nations.

Which place is famous for boxing?

Modern boxing

Places like Mexico, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe prove to be filled with young aspiring athletes who wish to become the future of boxing. Even in the U.S., places like the inner cities of New York and Chicago have produced promising young talent.

How do I travel on Boxing Day?

On Boxing Day most train operators will have no service - however, there will be a very limited train service operated by a small number of train operators (Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express).

What to do the day after Christmas?

15 Fun and Relaxing Activities for the Day After Christmas

• Go on a Nature Walk. Escape the indoor chaos and get some fresh air. ...
• Host a Leftovers Potluck. ...
• Have a Pajama Movie Marathon. ...
• Plan Next Year's Holiday. ...
• Tackle a Puzzle or Board Game. ...
• Try a DIY Spa Day. ...
• Explore Local Attractions. ...
• Bake Something New.

Are shops closed on Boxing Day?

No, not all shops are closed on Boxing Day (December 26th), but many major retailers, especially supermarkets like Aldi, M&S, and Lidl, close to give staff a break, while others like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's open with reduced hours, so it's essential to check specific store times before visiting. More retailers are opting to close to reward employees, making checking opening hours crucial for any Boxing Day shopping plans. 

Why do the Irish not call it Boxing Day?

In England the day is known as Boxing Day. The boxes refer to those in which alms were given to charity in medieval times. In Ireland, it is also known as Wren Day due to an association between Christ and the wren.

Is Boxing Day American or British?

26th🎁 Boxing Day, celebrated annually on December 26, originated in Great Britain. Its most widely accepted origin traces back to Victorian England, where wealthy employers gave servants and tradespeople "Christmas boxes" containing money, gifts, and leftover food as a reward for their service throughout the year.

What to do during Boxing Day?

Boxing Day activities range from relaxing at home with leftovers and movies to getting out for brisk winter walks, ice skating, festive markets, or tackling huge sales, with traditions often including sports (like football or cricket), pub visits, and playing with new gifts to extend the holiday fun. The day offers a chance to decompress after Christmas chaos, whether you prefer cozy indoor fun or bracing outdoor adventures, often centered around family, food, and relaxation. 

Is Boxing Day a big deal in the UK?

Yes, Boxing Day (December 26th) is a big deal in the UK, officially a public bank holiday known for massive post-Christmas sales, packed football (soccer) matches, winter walks, and charitable traditions, though its focus has shifted from historic giving to shopping and sports for many. It's a major day for retail, with huge online and high-street sales, alongside popular sporting events and family activities like festive walks or dips in the sea.
 

Where can I go on Boxing Day?

For Boxing Day, you can hit major sales, enjoy winter activities like ice skating or scenic park walks, catch festive sporting events (horse racing, soccer), visit holiday markets or winter wonderlands, see a pantomime, or find a cozy pub with a fire for a warm drink and Christmas leftovers. Popular spots include Oxford Street in London for shopping, Kew Gardens for winter lights, and local parks for brisk walks.