Tesco Christmas Opening Hours and Delivery Slots 2026: When to Book, Store Times and Every Deadline

Updated Tuesday 3 November 2026 — Delivery Saver slots opened at 6am today; everyone else can book from 6am on Thursday 5 November

When do Tesco Christmas delivery slots open in 2026?

Tesco opens its Christmas slots in two stages, according to its Christmas page. Shoppers on a Delivery Saver plan get a 48-hour head start, and then booking opens to everyone. These are all the key dates:

Sources: Tesco Christmas page; Tesco announcement of 28 October as reported by Skint Dad; Tesco Delivery Saver terms.

If you missed the Delivery Saver deadline, set an alarm for just before 6am on Thursday. Tesco says there will be an online waiting room when booking opens, and it cannot guarantee availability.

Same-day shopping over Christmas: Tesco says same-day delivery is available for orders placed before 3pm, the Scottish Sun reported. But its Delivery Saver terms say same-day delivery and collection are not available from 19 December to 3 January, Skint Dad found. So do not count on a same-day Christmas shop. Book a slot instead.

Do you need Tesco Delivery Saver to get a Christmas slot?

No. Anyone can book from Thursday 5 November. Delivery Saver only gets you in two days earlier, and the plans now cost:

Prices from Tesco, as reported by Skint Dad and MoneySavingExpert, October to November 2026.

• Worth it just for Christmas? For most people, probably not. The cheapest Anytime plan costs nearly £48 and renews automatically unless you cancel. It makes more sense if you already order from Tesco most weeks.
• Cheaper route: if you are happy to collect, the Click+Collect plan costs £14.94 for six months and still gets priority on collection slots.
• Delivery Saver guarantee: if the plan ends up costing more than the deliveries you used would have, Tesco gives you the difference back, but as a grocery eCoupon rather than cash, according to Delivery Saver terms.

How to get the Tesco Christmas slot you want

1. Sign in before 6am. Log in to your Tesco account and check your address and payment card the night before, so you are not resetting a password in the queue.
2. Pick a first choice and two backups. The days right before Christmas go first. If you can take 20 or 21 December, or a less popular time of day, you will have a better chance.
3. Check Click+Collect too. Tesco has more than 500 collection points, so a collection slot is a good fallback if delivery times have gone.
4. Check out within 10 minutes. Tesco says you need to complete checkout within 10 minutes of choosing your Christmas slot, with at least one item in your basket. Just selecting the slot does not hold it.
5. Build the order later. Once you have checked out, you can add or change items until 11.45pm the night before your delivery. Festive Food to Order items are only reserved once they are checked out, and must be in by 11.45pm on 14 December.

Tesco delivery charges and minimum spend

Without a plan, Tesco home delivery costs £3 to £7 and Click+Collect up to £2, depending on the slot. A £5 charge applies to deliveries under £50 and collections under £25, even if you have Delivery Saver, Skint Dad reports.

Tesco vs other supermarkets: Christmas delivery dates 2026

Tesco is one of the last big supermarkets to open Christmas booking this year. If Tesco slots are gone, these are your other options, according to MoneySavingExpert:

Source: MoneySavingExpert, updated 23 October 2026. Aldi and Lidl do not offer their own grocery delivery.

Tesco Christmas opening hours 2026

Tesco has not announced its 2026 Christmas opening hours yet. Supermarkets usually confirm them closer to Christmas. Until then, last year’s hours are the best guide, because Tesco’s pattern has changed little from year to year. This is how they line up with the 2026 calendar:

2025 hours from the Yorkshire Post and Hello! magazine (December 2025). These are a guide only; Tesco’s 2026 hours may differ. Times vary by store, so always check the Tesco store locator.

What’s different in 2026

• Christmas Day is a Friday, so the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December. Last year the days between Christmas and New Year were normal trading days; this year one of them is a bank holiday, so expect some stores to open shorter hours that day.
• Sunday 27 December: in England and Wales, large stores can only open for six hours on a Sunday by law, so Tesco Extras and Superstores there will be on Sunday hours. Smaller Express stores are not covered by the six-hour rule.
• Christmas Day: large shops in England and Wales are not allowed to open on Christmas Day, and in recent years Tesco has closed all its stores, including Express shops and petrol stations, The Grocer reported.
• Scotland: hours differ around Hogmanay and New Year’s Day. In 2024, Scottish Extras and Superstores opened 11am to 6pm on New Year’s Day, later than the rest of the UK.

How to check your local Tesco’s Christmas hours

Use the store locator on the Tesco website or app and pick your store. Tesco asks shoppers to check there for each store’s festive hours, including its petrol station, which can keep different hours from the main shop. It is worth checking again in the week before Christmas, as hours can change at short notice.

Tips to beat the Tesco Christmas rush

• Shop early in the morning. Last year most Extras and Superstores opened at 6am on Christmas Eve, and the first hours are usually the quietest.
• Pre-order the big items. Turkey, beef and other centrepieces from Festive Food to Order are reserved for you once you check out, so you are not hunting the shelves on 23 December.
• Use your Clubcard. Clubcard Prices apply in store and online, so scan your Clubcard or the Tesco app at the till.
• Stock up before New Year’s Day. Stores open later and close earlier on 1 January, and some smaller shops may stay shut.

Tesco Christmas 2026: your questions answered

When can I book a Tesco Christmas delivery slot?

From 6am on Thursday 5 November 2026. Delivery Saver members could book from 6am on Tuesday 3 November.

Is it too late to join Delivery Saver for early access?

For priority home delivery booking, yes. New Anytime members had to join by 11.59pm on Monday 2 November. You can still book from Thursday 5 November like everyone else.

What is the Tesco Festive Food to Order deadline?

11.45pm on Monday 14 December 2026. Orders are delivered or collected between 20 and 24 December (21 to 24 December in Northern Ireland).

Can I change my Tesco Christmas order after booking?

Yes. You can change most of your order until 11.45pm the night before delivery, and Festive Food to Order items until 11.45pm on 14 December. Check out again after every change.

Is Tesco open on Christmas Day 2026?

No. Tesco closes all its stores on Christmas Day, including Express shops and petrol stations.

What time does Tesco close on Christmas Eve 2026?

Tesco has not confirmed it yet. Last year most Extras and Superstores closed at 7pm and most Express stores at 10pm.

Is Tesco open on Boxing Day 2026?

Expected to be, with shorter hours. Last year Extras and Superstores opened 9am to 6pm (10am to 6pm in Scotland) and Express stores 9am to 7pm.

Is Tesco open on New Year’s Day 2027?

Expected to be, with reduced hours. Last year most Extras and Superstores in England opened 9am to 6pm, with later opening in Scotland.