Supermarkets in Germany remain open until what hour on Christmas Eve?
As the festive season approaches, many Germans are preparing for the holiday and the traditional celebrations that come with it. However, shopping on Christmas Eve can be a bit of a challenge due to reduced hours and store closures.
In Germany, Christmas Eve (December 24) is considered a partial holiday, and most supermarkets and stores operate on reduced or shortened hours. Typically, stores open during the morning and close early in the afternoon or early evening. Most supermarkets and stores close early on Christmas Eve, often by 2 or 3 PM, as it is a day when many people prepare for the holiday and spend time with family. This practice is quite common across the country, especially in larger cities.
However, some supermarkets and drugstores (such as Rossmann and DM) might remain open slightly longer or even for most of the day, but it varies by location and store policy. These stores are usually your best bet for shopping later into the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
On the other hand, shops like bakeries and butchers are generally open on Christmas Eve, but with drastically reduced hours. It's essential to check the opening times in advance for shops on Christmas Eve in case they are closed earlier.
If you want to shop later on Christmas Eve, prioritise visiting drugstores and some supermarkets that choose to stay open slightly longer, but expect limited options. Petrol stations, some small kiosks like Spätis in Berlin, shops in train stations, and airports are usually open longer on Christmas Eve. Shops in train stations and airports are ideal for last-minute errands or for stocking up on travel provisions.
It's worth noting that December 23rd is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with supermarkets packed and shelves emptying. With the days leading up to Christmas being stressful and busy for many people, it's crucial to plan ahead and check store hours in advance.
Some retail chains in Germany have different rules regarding Christmas Eve trading hours. For instance, Edeka Lars Tamme at Hamburg Airport will be open until 10 PM on Christmas Eve, while Edeka Ernst at Munich Central Station will be open from 7 AM to 11 PM. Tegut in the Frankfurt-Flughafen Quartier will be open from 6 AM to 10 PM, and Edeka Jäger at Stuttgart Airport will be open 24 hours on Christmas Eve.
As the holiday season approaches, we wish all workers a Frohes fest or Frohe Weihnachten!
In German home-and-garden stores, Christmas Eve might not be a regular shopping day, as most supermarkets and stores operate on shortened hours or close early. However, some drugstores and select supermarkets keep extended hours on Christmas Eve, making them suitable for last-minute home-and-garden purchases during the festive season in Germany.
