Debenhams opening hours christmas: Christmas supermarket opening times 2021 – the essential guide

Christmas supermarket opening times 2021 – the essential guide

It’s nearly that time again! Yes, Christmas is just around the corner this year is going to be a little bit different to most. However, the one thing you can rely on is needing to know the Christmas opening times when you’ve forgotten to buy stuffing for the big day.

Christmas time is a minefield of shop openings time, especially this year as many of the big supermarkets have opted to shut on Christmas day AND Boxing day. So we’ve compiled a handy list of supermarket Christmas opening times to make your life a little bit easier so you can focus on your Christmas ideas, not panicking about when the shops shut.

Christmas opening times 2021

(Image credit: Bec Parsons / Getty)

While the specific opening times of your local supermarket may vary, most are open up to and including Christmas Eve, closing on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and in some circumstances, on Boxing Day.

This year, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Saturday, and the bank holiday have been pushed to Monday. This makes 27th December Monday, 28th December Tuesday and 3rd January Monday Bank Holidays.

The majority of supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day and operate close to their Sunday opening hours on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Supermarket opening times

Tesco Christmas opening times

Tesco will close all of its supermarkets on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve, all Extra, Metro and Superstores look to be operating their usual opening times. However, opening times may differ between stores on Boxing Day so check the store locator before heading out.

Large stores will also open on Boxing Day between 9am-6pm and 8am-10pm for Express stores.

Sainsbury’s Christmas opening times

All Sainsbury’s stores will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day as a thank you to it’s staff.

On Christmas Eve, most of the larger stores will open from 10am-4pm or 11am-5pm, with local stores open from 7am-9pm.

You can check the specific time for your local branch opening hours over the New Years period on the Sainsbury’s store finder .

Asda Christmas opening times

The opening hours will vary depending on the store. The larger stores will close at 7pm on Christmas Eve, however some of smaller supermarkets will be open until 7pm.

All of stores are closed on Christmas Day, and they reopen 9am – 6pm on Boxing Day.

For New Year’s Eve, most stores will be open from 6am-7pm. Expect the opening times to be 10am-5pm on New Year’s Day.

You can check the specific time for your local Asda branch using the online store finder .

Morrisons Christmas opening times

All Morrisons will be closed on Christmas Day and will open from 5am-6pm on Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day all stores will be closed for the first time ever in the supermarket’s history.

On New Year’s Eve, some shops will be open from 7am-6pm and 9am-6pm on New Year’s Day. Use the Morrisons store locator to find out the specific opening times of the petrol stations and local shops.

Marks & Spencer Christmas opening times

Marks & Spencer stores opening times vary widely over the festive period, with its Simply Food stores having different operating times to the larger shops.

The store will shut on Christmas day and Boxing day. For the rest of the festive period, visit the branch finder to check the specific timings of your local store.

Waitrose Christmas opening times

Waitrose is open from 7am-6pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day AND Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Eve the stores will open from 8am-6pm and will be closed on New Year’s Day. However, some shops will be open with opening hours varying between 7am and 10pm.

Use the branch finder to check the timings of your local Waitrose.

Aldi Christmas opening times

Aldi has introduced extended opening times in the run up to Christmas which you can check on the website here . Check with your local store first as they can vary.

Aldi supermarkets will be open from 7am-6pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Eve, stores will be open from 8am-6pm and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

For specific times, visit the Aldi store finder.

Lidl Christmas opening times

Most supermarkets open from 8am-6pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Eve, the majority of stores will be open from 8am-7pm and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

For specific times, visit the Lidl store finder .

Happy shopping!

Amy Cutmore is Editor-in-Chief, Homes Audience, working across the Future Homes portfolio. She works on titles including Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Top Ten Reviews and Country Life. And she’s a winner of the PPA’s Digital Content Leader of the Year. A homes journalist for two decades, she has a strong background in technology and appliances, and has a small portfolio of rental properties, so can offer advice to renters and rentees, alike. 

Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s opening times for Christmas 2022

When will your local Tesco, Asda or Sainsbury’s be open over Christmas? (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)

Christmas shopping is infamously manic, but Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and the rest of the nation’s retail giants will be on hand if you need any last minute supplies during the festive season.

Whether it’s grabbing a late stocking filler for a family member you’ve forgotten about or suddenly remembering that you don’t have enough spuds for the roast potatoes, you might just find yourself having to rush to the supermarket unexpectedly.

And with an additional bank holiday to consider this year, you might also want to stock up on snacks for all those Christmas movies you’ll be watching.

Many shops will have different opening hours over the festive period, while others may close altogether for a few days to give their staff a well-earned rest – but when will Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s be open over Christmas?

We’ve got all the information you need…

What are Tesco’s opening hours over Christmas?

Tesco will have very different hours over Christmas (Picture: Getty Images)

Here’s when you’ll be able to shop at Tesco…

December 23: Most branches will be open regular hours, which will vary depending on your local

Christmas Eve: Branch opening hours depend on your location – but larger stores will be open from around 6am until around 9pm depending on where you are. Tesco Express stores could well be open later, with many open until around 10pm

Christmas Day: All branches will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day: Larger stores will be closed but Tesco Express branches will be open with reduced hours – many branches will not open until around 9am and will close around 6-7pm.

December 27: Most branches will be open as normal but some hours may vary.

In all cases, you should use the store locator on the Tesco website to see the exact opening hours of your local branch.

What are Asda’s opening hours over Christmas?

Asda will also be cutting down its opening hours over the festive season (Picture: Getty Images)

Here’s when you’ll be able to stock up at Asda…

December 23: Most branches will be open regular hours, which will vary depending on your local.

Christmas Eve: Branch opening hours depend on your location – but larger stores will be open from around 6am until around 9pm depending on where you are. Tesco Express stores could well be open later, with many open until around 10pm.

Christmas Day: All branches will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day: Asda will be open on Boxing Day but with reduced hours – many branches, including those which are usually open 24 hours, will be opening later, at around 9am, and close earlier at around 6 or 7pm.

December 27: Most branches will once again operate reduced opening hours – opening any time between 6-8am and closing any time between 8pm and midnight, depending on where you are in the country.

Once again you should use the Asda store locator on the website to see when your local branch is open.

What are Sainsbury’s opening hours over Christmas?

Sainsbury’s will be open in the run-up to Christmas but what about the rest of the season? (Picture: Getty Images)

Here’s when Sainsbury’s will be opening its doors…

December 23: Most branches will be open regular hours, which will vary depending on your local.

Christmas Eve: Branch opening hours depend on your location – but larger stores will be open from around 6am until around 7pm depending on where you are. Sainsbury’s Local stores are likely to be open later, until around 11pm in some cases.

Christmas Day: All branches will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day: Sainsbury’s will operate reduced hours on Boxing Day – with many branches opening later, at around 10am, and closing earlier – around 5pm in some cases. Sainsbury’s Local branches will also have different hours, opening at around 9am in many cases and closing by 9pm.

December 27: Many branches will have regular opening hours, but again this may vary depending on where you are in the country.

As usual, you should check the Sainsbury’s store locator on the website to see when your local branch is open.

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It’s About Time: 6 Best New Year’s Shopping Destinations

Together with the OneTwoTrip online service, we have selected six European cities that are famous for their sales, and a trip to which on the weekend will not cost you the budget left for shopping. We advise you to decide on your plans immediately after reading the article, while there are still tickets and hotel rooms.

Milan, Italy

It would be a crime not to list Italy’s fashion capital as one of the best shopping destinations. This season, the largest stores have been preparing discount promotions since January 5, and this generosity festival will last until early March. But we advise you not to delay until the last minute, because the most interesting things and running sizes will be sold out at the beginning of sales. Discounts are up to 75%. nine0003

People go to Milan for brands. The city center, namely the “fashion square” between the streets of Montenapoleone (via MonteNapoleone), Sant’Andrea (via Sant’Andrea), Gesu (via Gesu) and Della Spiga (via della Spiga), is replete with the names of world famous designers: Emporio Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Pinko and many more. Fashion brands are presented in selected boutiques.

If you’re not looking for the latest collections, head to the big malls and outlets in the suburbs, there are four of them: Serravalle, Fidenza, Vicolungo and Max Mara’s single-brand outlet. nine0003

Individual shops and boutiques are usually closed on Sunday and Monday mornings, the rest of the time you can count on an average schedule from 10 am to 8 pm with a lunch break. Large shopping centers are open until 21-22 hours without days off and breaks.

Please note that on January 6, Epiphany Day, shops are likely to be closed.

Flight + hotel: from ₽29,500 per person (2 nights).

Düsseldorf, Germany

Germany is a great place for lovers of inexpensive quality clothes, and Düsseldorf is considered the fashionable center of German shopping. Sales here start before Christmas, discounts grow proportionally: the closer to the holiday, the more you can save.

After the New Year, prices drop and the sale reaches its peak with 50% off around the second half of January. True, at this time, difficulties with finding the right size are already beginning. So our New Year holidays are the best time for shopping in Düsseldorf. nine0003

Two of Dusseldorf’s most famous shopping streets are Königsallee and Schadowstraße. On the Royal Street – this is how Koenigs Alley is translated – you will find boutiques of Chanel, Prada Prada, Kenzo and other famous brands. Special attention should be paid to the shopping gallery Kö (KöGalerie), the most prestigious in the city, located in the center of Königs Alley. Here you will find not only clothing boutiques, but also, for example, the Möet & Chandon brand store.

For those who would like to take a closer look at the mass market, H&M, Mango and Zara are located on the nearby Schadowstrasse. nine0003

Please note that in Germany no shops, even in the shopping center and during sales periods, are closed on Sundays.

Flight + hotel: from 26,200 ₽ per person (2 nights).

Madrid, Spain

We chose Madrid because sales start here earlier than other Spanish cities – usually attractive signs “Sale” (or “Rebajas”) appear in the windows of Madrid stores on January 2-3. Sales suit almost everything: from small shops of local fashion designers to large shopping centers. Discounts reach 50% already by January 10, and the lowest prices can be caught in February. True, by this time you will no longer find running sizes and interesting models. nine0003

Madrid is the capital of inexpensive brands. There are shops of almost all popular mass brands. By the way, most of them are local, Spanish: Desigual, Bimba y Lola, Massimo Dutti and, of course, Zara, Promod and Mango. You can find these brands in the Arguelles area.

For expensive brands, go to the Salamanca area (Barriode Salamanca), it is here on the so-called Golden Mile that the boutiques of Adolfo Domínguez, Agatha Ruizdela Prada, Manolo Blahnik, Loewe, Chanel, Gucci, LouisVuitton, Miu Miu, Cartier, Tiffany & Co and other. nine0003

For little-known local designers and original avant-garde brands, visit the area between Chueca Square and Fuencarral and Hortaleza streets.

Flight + hotel: from ₽38,900 per person (2 nights).

London, UK

New Year’s sales in London begin right after Christmas, on December 26, on the so-called Boxing Day. Discounts on this day should be expected from 50 to 75%.

We recommend starting your shopping tour on the main shopping street, Oxford street. Here you will find Debenhams and Selfriges, which carry quality but sometimes conservative brands. There are also more traditional stores on Oxford Street: Zara, Topshop, John Lewis and H&M are open here. nine0003

If you’re looking for famous brands, Bond street is your destination. The names of the stores will please the real shopaholic, not limited by the budget: Versace, Prada, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton. Not without boutiques of English fashion houses Burberry and Mulberry.

Do not pass by the most famous and largest London department store Harrod’s – however, you will not pass, because the windows of the department store will stop even the most inattentive pedestrian. In Harrods on 5 floors you will find everything you need, from clothes to electronics, toys and dishes. In the first days of sales, real madness is going on here, so we advise you to look a little later: the prices will, of course, be higher, but you will also get much more pleasure from walking between the rows. nine0003

Flight + hotel: from ₽29,400 per person (2 nights).

Paris, France

The capital of France is on this list for the same reason as Milan, but you can’t count on high discounts here: the ceiling is usually 50%, although some stores offer 70%. traditionally on the second Wednesday of the new year, in 2017 it is January 11, and will last until mid-February. Discounts always start from a modest 20%.

Large and well-known shopping malls are steadily lowering prices, so be sure to check out Galeries Lafayette. There you can find not only famous brands of clothing, but also household goods, dishes and electronics. Please note that even with discounts, shopping at Galeries Lafayette cannot be called economical, this is one of the most expensive shopping centers in Paris. But why not at least take a walk and admire: the gallery is very beautifully decorated during the New Year holidays. nine0003

If you don’t want to walk through one shopping center, take a walk through the streets of the French capital. One of the main haunts of haute couture is Avenue Montaigne. Here you will find Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Kenzo, Prada, Giorgio Armani boutiques – sounds like music, right?

Also ask for a free address book of the most visited shopping centres, department stores and markets in Paris at the Paris Shopping Book tourist information point nearest to your hotel. The fact is that there are so many shops in Paris that we will not be able to list them in a separate large material. nine0003

Flight + hotel: from ₽33,200 per person (2 nights).

Helsinki, Finland

The Finnish capital is not the cheapest city in Europe, but during the sales period there is something to profit from. In addition, Finnish goods are known for their good quality. So coming here during the New Year holidays (and the Christmas sales in Helsinki start on December 25) is definitely a good idea.

Look in the shop windows for signs “Ale”, “Alennus”, “Sale” and count on -50-70% of the starting prices. Also pay attention to the cryptic “Maksa 4, saat 5” (“Pay 4, get 5”) or “Otakolme, maksakaksi” (“Take three, pay two”). nine0003

Shopaholics in Helsinki usually first go to Stockmann on Aleksanterinkatu Street, a shopping center well known to Petersburgers and Muscovites. Here you can find not only high-quality clothes in different price categories, but also very nice household goods.

Another large shopping center where you can find shops of many inexpensive brands is Itäkeskus. This is the largest mall in Northern Europe. By the way, there is also a Stockmann here, although not as big as on Aleksanterinkatu. nine0003

Check out the local brands Seppäla (clothes, shoes, cosmetics), Luhta (sportswear) and Reima (famous brand among parents). Less known, but no less interesting are the Marimekko and Makia stores.

For luxury brands, head to the very center of the city, to the North Esplanade Street (Pohjoisesplanadi). Here you will find Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès, as well as avant-garde designer labels. The boutique of COS, popular among fashionable Russian women, is also located on this street.

Flight + hotel: from 18,700 ₽ per person (2 nights).

If you want to give your loved ones a trip to one of the capitals of Christmas shopping, it’s easy to do with a OneTwoTrip gift certificate. You simply indicate the amount in the certificate, and the happy owner will decide for himself where and for what dates he will buy tickets and which hotel he will book.

* Prices for flight + hotel are indicated at the time of preparation of the material. The final price may change.

Photo: Getty Images, press archives

Marie Claire Editorial

Gregorian Christmas: the history and traditions of the holiday

Who, how and why celebrates Christmas on December 25

From December 24 to 25, one of the most significant holidays for Christian culture begins – Christmas.

TASS explains why it is actually not quite right to call it “Catholic” and how Christmas on December 25 differs from Christmas celebrated 13 days later – according to the Julian calendar – on the night of January 6-7. nine0003

On this day, believers celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus from the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to Christian doctrine, the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. It was here that the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph came to participate in the census, which was conducted by the king of Judea, Herod the Great. The birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem was predicted by the prophet Micah more than seven centuries before the event itself. The birth of Jesus is described by two evangelists – the apostles Matthew and Luke.

The opinions of historians about the exact date of the Nativity of Christ differ. nine0003

In modern studies, the dates of the birth of Jesus are between 12 B.C. e. before 7 AD BC, when the only known census was conducted during the period described.

As the date of the celebration of Christmas, December 25 was first indicated by Sextus Julius Africanus in the annals of 221.

Christmas on the night of December 24-25 is celebrated not only by Catholics. Together with them, the holiday is celebrated by Protestants living according to the Gregorian calendar, as well as 11 of the 15 Local Orthodox Churches of the world that adhere to the New Julian calendar, which coincides with the Gregorian. nine0003

And Christmas, which is usually called “Orthodox”, is celebrated on the night of January 6-7 by four Orthodox churches – Russian, Georgian, Jerusalem and Serbian. In addition to them, Athos monasteries living according to the Julian calendar, as well as many Catholics of the Eastern rite (for example, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and part of Russian Protestants celebrate Christmas at this time.

Different dates of Christmas (December 25 or January 7) are explained by different systems of chronology (Gregorian and Julian calendars). nine0003

The Gregorian calendar, according to which most countries of the world now live, including Russia, was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The reform was explained by the desire to correct the difference between astronomical time and calendar time. The fact is that introduced into use in 46 BC. By the 16th century, the Julian calendar had accumulated a significant error – for every 128 years, one unaccounted day ran. As a result, in the 16th century, one of the most important Christian holidays, Easter, “came” ahead of schedule. nine0003

Therefore, in 1582, a new Gregorian calendar appeared in Europe, while the Julian calendar continued to be used in Russia.

The Gregorian calendar was introduced in our country in 1918, but the Russian Orthodox Church did not approve of this decision and continues to use the Julian calendar. In the 21st century, the difference between dates according to two calendars is 13 days.

Preparing for Christmas begins in advance – about a month in advance. The pre-Christmas period for Christians of the Catholic Church and some Protestants is called Advent, it includes fasting, prayers, and helping those in need. nine0003

Advent is dedicated to the expectation of the miracle of Christmas, at this time various Christmas events are held in Europe – fairs, performances, charity events, etc.

On Christmas Eve (December 24) believers keep a strict fast. At this time, festive services are held in Catholic and Protestant churches, and then Christians go home and sit down at the festive table, which traditionally includes meat dishes – each country has its own.

Festive masses are held in churches and communities on the evening of December 24 and throughout December 25. According to a long tradition, cribs with mangers and figurines of the Infant Christ and the Mother of God are installed both inside and outside the temples. nine0003

It is also customary to give gifts to each other at Christmas. This tradition was based on the event described in the Gospel: three wise men, who came to bow to the Infant Jesus, brought gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh.