Why only a 'handful' of McDonald's restaurants will be open on Christmas Day

Christmas Day in the UK is one of the few dates in the calendar that still brings large parts of daily life to a standstill as shops close their doors, public transport slows, and for many people, the day revolves around home, family and food planned well in advance. As a result, eating out is rarely at the front of anyone’s mind.

Despite that, questions about which chains are open on 25 December surface every year. McDonald’s, in particular, attracts attention thanks to its reputation for convenience and long opening hours.

The assumption is often that at least some branches will be operating as normal, especially since the recently pulled AI Christmas advert implied McDonald’s could act as a shelter for what was deemed ‘the most terrible time of the year’ until January rolled around.

Only select McDonald’s restaurants operate on 25 December each year (SOPA Images/Getty Images)

In reality, Christmas Day is treated very differently from the rest of the festive period. While the weeks leading up to it are some of the busiest of the year for fast food, the day itself is more of an uneven and highly localised demand. Some areas see steady footfall from travellers, emergency workers and those who do not celebrate Christmas, while others experience an almost complete drop-off.

This is why McDonald’s does not take a one-size-fits-all approach. The key point, revealed on its FAQ page, is that only a handful of restaurants across the UK will be open, with the vast majority remaining closed.

Much of this comes down to how the chain operates. McDonald’s restaurants in the UK are run by franchisees, who make the final call on whether opening on Christmas Day is viable. For many locations, the cost of staffing, utilities and logistics outweighs the limited demand, particularly in residential areas.

Christmas Day trading is limited to locations where demand remains consistent (NurPhoto/Getty Images)

According to Liverpool Echo, in this year’s case, the McDonald’s restaurants confirmed to be open on Christmas Day 2025 are:

• Edgware Road, London — 08:00 – 22:00
• Swiss Cottage, Camden — 08:00 – 22:00
• Hackney — 05:00 – 04:59
• Neasden DT, London— 11:00 – 19:00
• Coventry — 07:00 – 14:00
• Olten, West Midlands— 07:00 – 14:00
• Islington, London — 05:00 – 04:59
• Dagenham II — 05:00 – 04:59
• Haringey — 05:00 – 04:59
• Shirley, Solihull — 07:00 – 14:00
• Ealing Broadway, London — 05:00 – 04:59
• Kitts Green, Birmingham — 07:00 – 15:00
• Alperton, London — 05:00 – 04:59
• Coalville — 07:00 – 14:00
• Burton 2— 07:00 – 15:00
• Tamworth 2 — 07:00 – 15:00
• City Road — 05:00 – 04:59
• Beckton — 05:00 – 04:59
• Peggy Bedford — 05:00 – 04:59
• Hanwell — 05:00 – 04:59
• Holloway Road — 11:00 – 22:00
• Evesham — 07:00 – 14:00
• Stanmore Cornerhouse — 05:00 – 04:59
• Brent Park DT — 05:00 – 04:59
• Nuneaton 2 — 07:00 – 15:00
• Uttoxeter DT— 07:00 – 14:00
• Wembley Park— 05:00 – 04:59
• Hereford 2 — 07:00 – 11:00
• South Harrow–Shaftesbury — 05:00 – 04:59
• Burton on Trent — 07:00 – 14:00
• Kings Norton — 07:00 – 15:00
• Swavesey A14/A11 — 05:00 – 04:59
• Commercial Road — 11:00 – 22:00
• Highbury Corner — 09:00 – 22:00
• Swadlincote–Belmont Street — 07:00 – 14:00
• Ashby De La Zouch — 07:00 – 11:00
• Stafford–Eccleshall Road — 07:00 – 14:00
• Tamworth Wilnecote — 07:00 – 14:00
• Cobham (MSA)— 05:00 – 04:59

Where branches do open, it’s a case of availability in major cities, near hospitals, or close to busy roads and motorway service areas that are far more likely to trade. These locations tend to serve customers who are travelling long distances, working unsociable hours, or looking for a quick and familiar option when alternatives are limited.

Opening hours are also typically reduced. Rather than operating around the clock, many restaurants choose shorter windows that cover key periods such as breakfast or early evening. This allows them to meet demand without placing unnecessary pressure on staff.