Opening times on Christmas Eve 2024: This is how the supermarkets and discounters are open today

For many people, the days before Christmas are characterized by stress and hectic pace – December 23rd in particular is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The supermarkets are full, the shelves are emptying and many are trying to quickly get gifts or ingredients for the holiday meal. But what if everything can’t be done on December 23rd?

Then practically only December 24th remains. But how long do you have to shop on Christmas Eve?

The shops are open on Christmas Eve (December 24th).

Christmas Eve is generally not a public holiday, so shops are allowed to remain open. In addition, the many Christmas bargains are also valid on the same day. But there are special rules regarding opening hours.

Different regulations apply to retail chains such as Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Budni, dm, Edeka, Globus, Hit, Kaufland, Lidl, Müller, Netto Marken-Discount, Netto Supermarket, Penny, Real, Rewe, Rossmann, Tegut and Wasgau. While most branches close at 2 p.m., many are forgoing early opening this year, as was common in the past. Instead, most stores will open their doors – as usual – between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. In previous years, discounters in particular opened their branches at 6:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

For wholesalers such as Metro: The last entry via the main entrances is on Christmas Eve at 12 p.m.

Bakeries and butchers are usually open on Christmas Eve. However, the opening times will be drastically reduced. Sales usually run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the most. In some cases, stores may close as early as 12 p.m. or even earlier if orders are picked up or goods are sold out.

Where can I shop longer?

Gas stations, small kiosks and shops in train stations or airports are usually open longer. These are ideal for last-minute errands or for stocking up on travel provisions. But be careful! The range may be thinned out in the late evening hours. Plan your shopping well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

You can shop for longer at:

• Tegut in the Frankfurt Airport district (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.),
• Edeka Ernst at Munich Central Station (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.),
• Edeka Jäger at Stuttgart Airport (open 24 hours),
• EDEKA – Lars Tamme at Hamburg Airport (until 10 p.m.).

FOCUS online says: Find out about the opening times of organic supermarkets, supermarkets, gas stations and discount stores that are located directly in train stations or airports. Rest areas with gas stations are also open on Christmas Eve. The sale of food products there continues as usual.

The shops are open on the Christmas holidays

Christmas Day is a public holiday. According to information from the Munich Chamber of Industry and Commerce, shops (supermarkets, discounters, organic shops) will remain closed. The same applies to Boxing Day.

Exceptions apply to shops that are located near airports or train stations and are intended to stock up travelers with provisions. Regular opening hours apply here. Mostly between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Where you can regularly shop at Christmas:

• Tegut in the Frankfurt Airport district (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.),
• Edeka Ernst at Munich Central Station (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.),
• Edeka Jäger at Stuttgart Airport (open 24 hours),
• EDEKA – Lars Tamme at Hamburg Airport (until 10 p.m.).