Are Post Offices Open on Christmas Eve? UK Christmas Opening Times
• December 24, 2025
Are Post Offices open on Christmas Eve is a common question every December as people across the UK rush to send last-minute cards, collect parcels, or complete essential banking tasks before Christmas Day.
With festive timetables, bank holidays, and Royal Mail service changes happening at the same time, knowing what to expect on 24 December can help avoid stress and wasted trips.
This guide explains UK Post Office Christmas Eve opening times, the services usually available, how hours vary by branch, and how Christmas Eve fits into the wider Christmas and New Year postal schedule, helping readers plan ahead with confidence.
Are Post Offices Open on Christmas Eve in the UK?
Yes, Post Offices in the UK are generally open on Christmas Eve, which falls on December 24. However, this comes with an important caveat: opening hours are significantly reduced compared to a normal weekday. Most branches close much earlier than usual, often during the early or mid afternoon.
While many people assume Christmas Eve operates like a regular working day, it is treated as part of the festive period. Staffing levels, delivery schedules, and Royal Mail operations are all scaled back. As a result, Christmas Eve is best seen as a shortened trading day rather than a full service day.
The majority of Post Office branches do open their doors to support customers during the busy lead up to Christmas. This is particularly important for parcel collections, last minute banking needs, and essential payments. However, the exact experience can differ widely depending on the type of branch and its location.
What Time Do UK Post Offices Close on Christmas Eve?
There is no single nationwide closing time for Christmas Eve. Instead, Post Office branches operate reduced hours that are set locally. In practice, most branches close earlier than usual, with common closing times falling around 1pm, 4pm, or 5pm.
Branches that normally follow shorter Sunday hours may close closer to midday, while larger branches in town or city centres often remain open until mid afternoon. Post Offices located inside supermarkets or convenience stores may follow the host retailer’s festive trading hours, which can differ again.
Typical Christmas Eve closing times by branch type:
| Branch type | Common Christmas Eve closing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Post Office | Around 4pm or 5pm | Usually city centre locations with higher demand |
| Independent Post Office | Between 1pm and 4pm | Hours set by individual Postmasters |
| Post Office inside a shop | Varies widely | Often tied to shop’s festive hours |
| Branch with Sunday-style hours | Around 1pm | Shorter trading window |
Because of this variation, customers should always assume an early closure and plan visits for the morning where possible.
Why Do Christmas Eve Opening Hours Vary So Much By Location?
Christmas Eve opening hours vary widely across the UK because the Post Office network is made up of more than 11,500 branches, most of which are not centrally operated.
Only a small number are Crown Post Offices, while the majority are run by independent Postmasters or located inside other retail stores. This structure means there is no single nationwide timetable for festive trading.
Key reasons for variation in Christmas Eve opening hours:
- Independent Postmasters set festive hours based on local demand and staffing
- Some branches stay open longer to support busy communities
- Smaller or rural branches often close earlier due to limited staff
- Urban branches usually see higher footfall and remain open longer
- Branches inside shops follow the host retailer’s Christmas Eve hours
As a result, opening times can differ significantly even between nearby locations. Checking local branch details in advance is the most reliable way to avoid a wasted journey on Christmas Eve.
What Services Can You Usually Use at the Post Office on Christmas Eve?
Although hours are reduced, many essential services remain available on Christmas Eve. The day is particularly busy for customers collecting parcels from recent deliveries, especially as online shopping peaks in the final days before Christmas. The services most commonly available on Christmas Eve include the following.
Commonly available services on Christmas Eve:
- Parcel collection and redelivery card processing
- Basic banking services such as cash withdrawals and deposits
- Bill payments and everyday financial transactions
- Some postal services, depending on time of day and branch capacity
It is important to understand that not all services operate in the same way as on a normal weekday. As the day progresses and closing time approaches, some branches may stop accepting new parcels or limit certain transactions to manage queues and staffing levels.
Customers with urgent needs are advised to arrive early and be prepared for longer waiting times, particularly in busy locations.
Can You Still Send Parcels and Letters on Christmas Eve?
Sending parcels and letters on Christmas Eve is usually possible, but there are limitations that customers should be aware of. While Post Offices may accept mail earlier in the day, this does not guarantee delivery before Christmas Day.
Royal Mail’s recommended last posting dates for Christmas typically fall several days before December 24, depending on the service used. By Christmas Eve, most standard services are already beyond their Christmas delivery cut off. Special services may still accept items, but availability can vary by branch and time.
In practical terms, Christmas Eve should be viewed as the final opportunity to post items before the Christmas shutdown rather than a reliable way to ensure festive delivery. Customers posting items on December 24 should expect them to be processed after the Christmas bank holidays.
Is Christmas Eve the Last Day to Post Before Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve is the last day Post Offices are generally open before Christmas Day, but it is not the last recommended posting date for Christmas delivery. Those dates usually fall earlier in December and differ depending on whether items are being sent within the UK or internationally.
By the time Christmas Eve arrives, Royal Mail’s core Christmas delivery operations are winding down. This means that even if a branch accepts a parcel, it may not move through the network until after the festive break.
For anyone hoping to send gifts, cards, or important documents in time for Christmas, planning ahead and following recommended posting dates remains essential. Christmas Eve is best suited to collections, urgent personal errands, or non time sensitive mail.
Are Post Offices Open Between Christmas and New Year?
After the Christmas bank holidays, Post Office opening patterns begin to normalise, but some variation remains. Saturday December 27 and Sunday December 28 can be particularly inconsistent, as some branches reopen while others remain closed depending on their usual weekend trading.
From December 29 and December 30, many branches return to their regular weekday schedules. However, New Year’s Eve often sees another early closure, similar to Christmas Eve, as businesses prepare for the next bank holiday.
New Year’s Day is also a bank holiday, meaning Post Offices are closed and Royal Mail services are suspended. Normal operations usually resume on January 2, although opening times on that day may still vary slightly.
The table below summarises typical Post Office availability across the festive period.
Typical UK Post Office opening pattern over Christmas and New Year:
| Date | Expected status | What customers should know |
|---|---|---|
| December 24 | Open with reduced hours | Early closure likely |
| December 25 | Closed | No Post Office or Royal Mail services |
| December 26 | Closed | Bank holiday closures |
| December 27 | Mixed | Some branches reopen, others closed |
| December 28 | Limited | Often closed if usually shut on Sundays |
| December 29–30 | Open | Many branches return to normal hours |
| December 31 | Open with reduced hours | Early closure common |
| January 1 | Closed | Bank holiday |
| January 2 | Open | Services begin to normalise |
What are Typical Post Office Christmas Opening Hours in 2025?
While exact times vary by location, Christmas 2025 follows the familiar festive pattern of reduced hours, closures, and gradual reopening. Many branches operate normal hours in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, followed by a shortened trading day on December 24.
The table below illustrates a typical festive timetable based on common UK branch practices. This example is designed to help with planning rather than replace local confirmation.
Example of typical Post Office Christmas hours:
| Day | Date | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | December 22 | 9am to 5.30pm |
| Tuesday | December 23 | 9am to 5.30pm |
| Wednesday | December 24 | 9am to 1pm |
| Thursday | December 25 | Closed |
| Friday | December 26 | Closed |
| Saturday | December 27 | Closed or reduced |
| Monday | December 29 | 9am to 5.30pm |
| Tuesday | December 30 | 9am to 5.30pm |
| Wednesday | December 31 | Early closure likely |
| Thursday | January 1 | Closed |
| Friday | January 2 | Normal hours resume |
Customers should treat these times as guidance only and always verify details locally.
What Should You Do If Your Local Post Office is Closed or Shuts Early?
If your local Post Office is closed or shuts early on Christmas Eve, there are still practical ways to manage essential tasks. Opening hours can vary widely, especially for branches located inside supermarkets or convenience stores, so alternatives may be available nearby.
Practical options to consider:
- Check the Post Office branch finder for nearby locations with extended hours
- Visit branches inside supermarkets or high footfall retail areas
- Use online postage services to prepare labels in advance
- Delay non-urgent posting until services resume after the bank holidays
Planning ahead is the most reliable way to avoid disruption during the festive period. By checking opening times early and completing tasks in advance, customers can reduce stress, avoid unnecessary journeys, and minimise delays over Christmas.
Conclusion
Are post offices open on Christmas Eve is a question with a clear answer and an important warning. Yes, many UK branches do open on December 24, but they do so with reduced hours, limited services, and significant variation by location.
Planning ahead, visiting early, and checking local opening times are essential steps to avoid disappointment. By understanding how Christmas Eve fits into the wider festive postal schedule, customers can manage their expectations and complete essential tasks with confidence before the Christmas break begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Post Offices in the UK open on Christmas Eve?
Most Post Offices open on Christmas Eve, but not all. Some smaller or independently run branches may close for the day, making it important to check local listings in advance.
What is the earliest time Post Offices close on Christmas Eve?
Some branches close as early as 1pm, particularly those that normally follow Sunday-style hours or operate with limited staff.
Can I collect a missed delivery parcel on Christmas Eve?
Parcel collection is usually available on Christmas Eve, although it may be restricted to earlier hours depending on the branch.
Are banking services available at Post Offices on Christmas Eve?
Basic banking services are typically available, but transaction limits or reduced counters may apply as the day progresses.
Does posting on Christmas Eve guarantee delivery before Christmas?
No, posting on Christmas Eve does not guarantee Christmas delivery. Recommended last posting dates usually fall earlier in December.
Are Post Offices open on New Year’s Eve?
Many Post Offices open on New Year’s Eve, but most close earlier than usual.
When do Post Offices return to normal hours after Christmas?
Most branches return to regular hours from January 2, although some variation can still occur in the first few days of the new year.
