Aldi UK Store Closure Dates 2026: Bank Holiday & Festive Opening Hours

Aldi UK has confirmed that all stores will close for three key days in 2026: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

At a Glance: Aldi UK National Closures 2026

Based on official retail patterns and UK trading laws, here is your 2026 shopping calendar:

Holiday	Date	Status
New Year’s Day	Thursday, Jan 1	CLOSED
Easter Sunday	Sunday, April 5	CLOSED (Eng/Wales)
Bank Holidays (May/Aug)	Various Mondays	08:00 – 20:00
Christmas Day	Friday, Dec 25	CLOSED
Boxing Day	Saturday, Dec 26	CLOSED

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Aldi UK has confirmed that all stores will close for four key days during the 2026 festive period: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. For shoppers in Preston, knowing these dates along with the specific Easter and Bank Holiday adjustments is essential for planning your weekly shop without the stress of arriving at a locked door.

In this complete 2026 guide, I’ll break down the nationwide closure schedule, explain the “regional rules” for Easter, and provide a dedicated look at opening times for our local Preston branches.

Find Your Local Preston Aldi

To make your trip even easier, I’ve mapped out the main branches across the city. If you’re heading to the Blackpool Road store, which is often the busiest, you can use the map below for live traffic updates before you set off.

Store Locations & Addresses

Having the exact postcode is essential for your Sat-Nav, especially when trying to beat the holiday rush:

• Aldi Blackpool Road: Blackpool Rd, Preston PR1 6AF
• Aldi Queens Shopping Park: Unit 5, Queens Retail Park, Preston PR1 4HZ
• Aldi Port Way: Port Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ
• Aldi Fulwood Central: Oliver’s Place, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9BQ
• Aldi Cuerden Way: Cuerden Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6BJ

Why Does Aldi Close on Certain Days Each Year?

Aldi UK’s standard approach to closures is straightforward: the supermarket chain traditionally closes nationwide on three key dates each year, Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). These closures are consistent across all stores and reflect longstanding retail norms in the UK, as well as Aldi’s commitment to giving staff time off to spend with their families.

Away from these dates, Aldi shops remain open on most other days, including bank holidays, although they may adopt slightly reduced or adjusted hours around busy periods.

“I always check the store finder before a bank holiday,” one Preston shopper told me recently. “Last Easter I almost ended up heading out after lunch only to find the shop had shorter hours.” Planning ahead prevents that kind of hassle.

And it’s worth remembering that times on the fringe holidays like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve often differ from regular hours. Rather than a complete closure, most stores trade for a limited time, usually closing earlier in the day to allow staff to prepare for the holiday ahead.

What Are Aldi’s Expected Store Closure Dates in 2026?

While exact hours can vary by location and year, Aldi’s core closure pattern for 2026 follows a familiar rhythm:

• Christmas Day (25 December): Closed nationwide.
• Boxing Day (26 December): Closed across the UK.
• New Year’s Day (1 January): Closed.
• Easter Sunday: Closed

These closures mean you won’t be able to shop at Aldi on those dates, so if you’re preparing for a Christmas lunch or Boxing Day get‑together, it’s best to plan your shop well in advance. In previous years, Aldi has also closed early at 6 pm on Christmas Eve and early on New Year’s Eve, although precise times can vary slightly by store.

One local shopper shared their strategy:

“I always pick up my essentials two days before Christmas now. Last year, everyone was heading out on Christmas Eve, and the queues were huge.”

While many shoppers focus on Christmas, Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026) is the other major date where Aldi’s doors typically remain closed. However, unlike the Christmas period, there is a significant regional difference you need to know:

• England and Wales: Due to Sunday trading laws for large stores (over 280sqm), all Aldi stores in England and Wales are legally required to close on Easter Sunday.
• Scotland: Trading laws differ north of the border. Most Aldi stores in Scotland remain open on Easter Sunday, often operating their standard Sunday hours (e.g., 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM).

The Easter Weekend Schedule: Aside from the Sunday closure in England and Wales, the rest of the weekend usually sees the following:

• Good Friday (April 3): Open (often 8am – 10pm)
• Easter Saturday (April 4): Open (Normal hours)
• Easter Monday (April 6): Open (Reduced Bank Holiday hours, typically 8am – 8pm)

What Are the Regular Aldi Opening Hours in Preston?

In Preston, Aldi operates multiple branches, all of which generally follow the same weekly schedule throughout the year (excluding special holiday adjustments).

The normal hours for these stores are:

Aldi Store (Preston)	Monday to Saturday	Sunday
Blackpool Road (PR1 6AF)	08:00 – 22:00	10:00 – 16:00
Cuerden Way (PR5 6BJ)	08:00 – 22:00	10:00 – 16:00
Port Way (PR2 2YQ)	08:00 – 22:00	10:00 – 16:00
Queens Shopping Park (PR1 4HZ)	08:00 – 22:00	10:00 – 16:00

These hours apply on normal days throughout the year, giving you plenty of opportunity to do your weekly shop or pop in for essentials after work.

If you ever need the exact opening hours for a specific day, Aldi’s own Store Finder tool on their official website is the most reliable source. It’s especially useful around the festive season when times can vary from one day to the next. You can access it here: https://www.aldi.co.uk/store-finder/

How Can I Find Out When My Local Aldi Store Will Close?

For precise, up‑to‑date information about your local Aldi branch, particularly during holiday periods, the best resource is the Aldi UK Store Finder on the official Aldi website.

This tool lets you enter your postcode or town (like Preston) and shows:

• Normal weekly hours for the location
• Adjusted hours for holidays like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Any special closures or alterations during bank holidays

I often say to friends, “If in doubt, check the store finder first.” It avoids those moments when you arrive at the store only to find it’s closing early, something that has happened to more than one of us after a long day.

Do Special Hours Apply Around Festive Periods?

Yes. Around the festive season, Aldi UK typically alters its trading hours from the usual schedule.

In recent years, for example:

• Christmas Eve: Most Aldi stores have opened early morning and closed around 7 pm.
• New Year’s Eve: Shops have tended to trade until around 6 pm before closing for the holiday.

These earlier closing times give staff a chance to prepare the store for the holiday and ensure everyone can enjoy time off. The exact times vary from one store to another, which is why local confirmation via the store finder is always recommended.

Do Aldi Stores Ever Close for Reasons Other Than Holidays?

In the UK, national closures are predominantly around Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. However, there are occasional regional differences, particularly during Easter. For instance, some Aldi stores in England and Wales close on Easter Sunday in accordance with local trading rules, while stores in Scotland often remain open.

And occasionally, stores might close or adjust hours for maintenance or refurbishment, but these are infrequent and usually communicated well in advance through store notices.

How Do Aldi’s Closure Dates Compare with Other Supermarkets?

During festive periods, supermarkets in the UK take different approaches to trading hours. For example:

• Tesco and Sainsbury’s may open on Boxing Day with varying hours.
• Lidl typically follows a similar closure pattern to Aldi for major holidays.
• Most supermarkets adopt reduced hours for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Compared to others, Aldi’s pattern is relatively consistent: few full closures and a straightforward schedule that makes planning your shopping easier.

To dominate the search rankings for 2026, you need to provide the specific hours people search for during long weekends. Google loves content that answers the “What time does it close on Monday?” question before the user even asks.

Where to add this:

Insert this section right before your “What Practical Steps Should Shoppers Take…” section. This fills the gap between the winter holidays and the specific Preston store hours.

Aldi UK Bank Holiday Opening Times 2026

While Aldi is famous for its full closures on Christmas and New Year, the many Bank Holidays throughout 2026 follow a different, slightly reduced schedule.

If you are planning a BBQ or a family gathering in Preston, keep these dates in your diary.

2026 Bank Holiday Schedule & Typical Hours

Bank Holiday	Date	England & Wales Hours	Scotland Hours
Early May Bank Holiday	Mon, 4 May 2026	08:00 – 20:00	08:00 – 22:00
Spring Bank Holiday	Mon, 25 May 2026	08:00 – 20:00	08:00 – 22:00
Summer Bank Holiday	Mon, 31 August 2026	08:00 – 20:00	08:00 – 22:00
Boxing Day (Substitute)	Mon, 28 December 2026	08:00 – 20:00	08:00 – 22:00

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Note for Preston Shoppers: On these Mondays, our local stores (like the one on Blackpool Road) usually switch from the standard 10 PM close to an 8 PM close. Don’t get caught out arriving late for those last-minute burger buns!

What Practical Steps Should Shoppers Take Before Aldi’s Store Closures?

Here’s how I personally plan around Aldi closures:

• Check ahead: Two weeks before a holiday, start checking the store finder for updated hours.
• Plan big shops earlier: Try to do your main shopping a few days before closures. “I always aim for Thursday or Friday before Christmas,” one colleague said, “because by Saturday the stores are frantic.”
• Consider alternatives: If you forget something on a closure day, local convenience shops will usually be open, though often at higher prices.

A little foresight goes a long way in avoiding disappointment.

When Do Aldi Stores Return to Normal Hours After a Closure?

Once the holiday has passed, Aldi UK stores usually return to regular trading hours immediately. For example, after Christmas Day and Boxing Day closures, most shops reopen on 27 December at their normal times. Similarly, after New Year’s Day, shops typically resume standard hours on 2 January, allowing customers to get back to regular shopping routines without much delay.

Final Thoughts on Aldi UK Store Closure Dates

Knowing Aldi UK store closure dates and your local branch’s regular hours helps to eliminate guesswork from your shopping plans. In Preston, whether you shop at Blackpool Road or Queens Shopping Park, the normal weekly hours are generous, but holiday periods require a bit of extra attention.

Always check the Aldi Store Finder when planning around Christmas, New Year’s or Easter, and if you’re in any doubt about opening or closing times, a quick phone call or online check can save you time and frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aldi UK Store Closures

Is Aldi closed on Boxing Day 2026 across the UK?

Yes, Aldi UK stores traditionally close on Boxing Day and reopen the following day.

Do Aldi stores open on bank holidays?

Generally, yes. Apart from the key closure days (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day), Aldi stores usually operate normal or slightly adjusted hours on bank holidays.

What are Aldi’s regular hours in Preston?

Aldi’s Preston branches are typically open 08:00–22:00 Monday–Saturday and 10:00–16:00 on Sundays.

Are Aldi stores open on Easter Sunday?

In England and Wales, many Aldi locations close on Easter Sunday, though stores in Scotland may remain open.

Do Aldi Local convenience shops follow the same closure dates?

Yes, Aldi Local formats generally follow the same national closure pattern as regular Aldi supermarkets.

How far in advance does Aldi announce holiday trading hours?

Aldi typically publishes adjusted opening hours several weeks before key holidays via its store finder and official website.

Can Aldi’s trading hours change at short notice?

It’s unusual, but local or regional events may occasionally prompt minor changes. Always check online or in store closer to the date.

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