Tesco New Year’s Eve Opening Hours | What Time Do Stores Open and Close?
• December 26, 2025
The end-of-year celebrations often bring last-minute shopping, unexpected plans, and a rush to the nearest supermarket. As New Year’s Eve approaches, many UK shoppers ask, “What are Tesco’s New Year’s Eve opening hours?” Whether you’re picking up party essentials, forgotten groceries, or a bottle for the countdown, knowing store timings matters.
Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, operates Extra, Superstore, Metro, and Express locations nationwide. While Tesco aims for consistency, festive trading hours can vary.
This guide explains Tesco’s opening times for New Year’s Eve 2025, New Year’s Day 2026, and the surrounding holiday period.
What Are Tesco’s New Year’s Eve Opening Hours?
Tesco’s New Year’s Eve opening hours for 2025 differ depending on the store format. While most stores remain open for the majority of the day, closing times are brought forward in comparison to regular trading days.
As of the latest official guidance:
- Tesco Extras and Superstores will open as early as 6am and close by 7pm on 31st December 2025.
- Tesco Express stores generally follow extended hours, typically opening at 7am and closing around 10pm, though larger Express locations may also shut by 7pm.
These timings provide customers with a reasonable window to complete their shopping while allowing staff to return home and prepare for their own New Year celebrations.
Do Tesco Extra, Superstores, and Express Stores Close at Different Times on New Year’s Eve?
Absolutely. Tesco operates with a decentralised approach during the festive season, which means different store formats follow different schedules. Here’s how they compare:
| Store Format | Typical Opening Time | Typical Closing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Extra | 6:00 AM | 7:00 PM | Large format stores with full grocery, clothing, etc. |
| Tesco Superstore | 6:00 AM | 7:00 PM | Similar to Extra but smaller in size |
| Tesco Express | 7:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Some larger Express stores may close by 7:00 PM |
The Tesco Extra and Superstore outlets follow a uniform early-closing pattern. However, Express stores, especially in urban or high-traffic areas, often maintain extended hours until later in the evening. These local convenience-style shops are typically more accessible for last-minute shoppers.
How Do Tesco Express Store Hours Differ on New Year’s Eve?
Tesco Express outlets are designed for convenience and rapid service. Their opening times on New Year’s Eve reflect that purpose. Here’s how their hours differ from other store formats:
Extended Convenience with Flexibility
- Most Tesco Express locations remain open from 7am to 10pm on New Year’s Eve.
- However, larger Express stores in city centres or transport hubs may close early, around 7pm, to align with reduced foot traffic and staff schedules.
- In contrast to larger stores, Tesco Express outlets often do not close for as long during holiday periods.
Why the Flexibility?
The flexibility in Express store hours is due to:
- Smaller staff requirements
- Urban-based locations with different customer demand
- Shorter closing/cleaning procedures compared to superstores
Shoppers looking to visit a Tesco Express store are still encouraged to use the Tesco Store Locator Tool to confirm exact local hours, as there may be local variations even within a city or region.
Why Do Tesco’s New Year’s Opening Times Vary by Store Type and Location?
Tesco’s variation in holiday opening hours is based on several factors, including store format, geographical location, customer volume, and staffing considerations. During the holiday season, Tesco aims to balance convenience for shoppers with wellbeing for staff.
Key Factors Behind Time Variation
- Store Size and Layout: Larger stores require more time to close and clean, hence earlier closures.
- Location: Urban stores often stay open later than rural ones.
- Customer Demand: High-traffic areas may have extended hours to meet demand.
- Local Laws: Scotland, for instance, follows different holiday trading rules than England or Wales.
Tesco also adapts its staffing model during this period to ensure that team members get a chance to spend time with their families during public holidays. This often means shorter shifts or earlier closures, particularly on holidays like New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Are There Special Tesco Opening Hours in Scotland for Hogmanay?
Yes. In Scotland, Hogmanay on 31 December is more than a typical New Year’s Eve; it is a major cultural celebration that often takes precedence over Christmas in some communities. Because of this, Tesco applies slightly different trading hours across Scotland to reflect local customs and demand.
Typically, Tesco Extra and Superstore locations open around 8am and close earlier than usual, often by 7pm on Hogmanay. Tesco Express stores usually operate a little later, commonly between 8am and 8pm.
On New Year’s Day, many Scottish Tesco stores reopen with reduced hours, generally from around 11am to 6pm, which is shorter than in England or Wales.
Is Tesco Open on New Year’s Day 2026?
Tesco has confirmed that the majority of its stores will be open on New Year’s Day 2026, but hours will be shorter than usual. The holiday, being a bank holiday across the UK, prompts revised schedules.
| Region | Store Type | Typical Opening Hours on 1 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| England & Wales | Extra/Superstore | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| England & Wales | Express | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Scotland | All Store Formats | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
It’s worth noting that Tesco petrol stations may not follow these hours and often open later or close earlier. Use of the Tesco Store Locator is strongly advised for anyone planning to shop or refuel on New Year’s Day.
Are Tesco’s New Year’s Day Opening Hours the Same Across the UK?
No, Tesco’s opening hours on 1st January vary significantly across the UK. While stores in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland generally open between 9am and 6pm, stores in Scotland adopt a slightly delayed schedule.
This discrepancy is partly due to local holiday policies and partly a reflection of regional shopping patterns. In Scotland, the 1st of January is treated with greater reverence, often involving extended family time and limited retail activity.
Will Tesco Stores Be Open as Normal Between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve?
For most Tesco stores across the UK, normal trading hours resume between 27th and 30th December. This brief window between Christmas and New Year allows customers to restock, return gifts, and prepare for New Year’s celebrations.
When to Expect Normal Hours?
- 27th to 30th December: Regular store hours apply (e.g., 6am–midnight for larger stores), but some local variations may be in place.
- Express stores usually maintain standard schedules.
- Staff availability, local restrictions, or regional demand can still impact hours slightly.
While the week between holidays may feel like a return to normal, Tesco still recommends checking online or via their app to confirm store-specific timings.
Conclusion
Tesco plays a pivotal role in the UK’s festive preparations, and understanding its holiday trading hours ensures shoppers don’t get caught out. While the overall picture is clear, stores open early and close early on New Year’s Eve and operate reduced hours on New Year’s Day, there are notable differences between store formats, regions, and services.
To avoid disappointment, shoppers are encouraged to:
- Plan their grocery trips ahead of time
- Use the Tesco Store Locator for up-to-date local hours
- Take note of special timings in Scotland for Hogmanay and New Year’s Day
Whether you’re grabbing last-minute supplies or stocking up for New Year’s Day, being aware of Tesco’s updated hours ensures a stress-free end to the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tesco’s normal trading hours outside of the holiday season?
Typically, Tesco Extra and Superstore locations open from 6am to midnight, while Express stores may operate from 6am or 7am until 10pm or 11pm, depending on the area.
Do Tesco stores open earlier in the week leading up to New Year’s Eve?
Yes, in the week prior to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, some Tesco stores may open earlier and close later to accommodate increased demand. Tesco generally advertises these extended hours in advance.
Will Tesco click and collect services run on New Year’s Day?
Click and collect services are often paused on New Year’s Day but resume on the 2nd of January. Availability may vary by location.
Are Tesco delivery slots available around the New Year holiday?
Delivery slots on and around New Year’s Day can be limited. Tesco recommends booking well in advance, especially for home delivery services.
Do Tesco Metro stores follow Express or Superstore hours on holidays?
Tesco Metro stores typically follow a schedule more aligned with Express stores, often opening later and closing earlier during holidays.
Can I shop online with Tesco on New Year’s Day?
Tesco’s online shopping platform remains accessible, but deliveries and click-and-collect orders are usually not fulfilled on New Year’s Day.
Does Tesco update holiday opening times on their app?
Yes, Tesco updates all holiday-specific hours on both its website and app, including live updates and store-specific information. The app is a reliable tool for checking local hours in real-time.
