ASDA is normally open on 23 December, and for many households it is one of the busiest full shopping days before Christmas. However, a branch may already be operating under festive Holiday Hours, so the normal weekday timetable should not automatically be used.
For Christmas 2026, 23 December falls on a Wednesday. Exact branch hours have not yet been published as a complete nationwide timetable, so check the individual ASDA Store Locator entry closer to Christmas.
Why 23 December Is an Important Shopping Date
For shoppers who want to avoid leaving everything until Christmas Eve, 23 December is often the last practical day for a large, relatively flexible grocery shop.
Christmas Eve can involve earlier closing, while Christmas Day is not available for normal large-supermarket shopping in England and Wales. Shopping on 23 December therefore gives more time to deal with unavailable products or substitute ingredients.
Will ASDA Use Normal Wednesday Hours?
Do not assume so.
A current ASDA branch may normally open early and close late on Wednesday, or even trade for 24 hours. Festive arrangements can still change those hours.
If ASDA publishes a special Holiday Hours entry for 23 December, use that dated timetable rather than the ordinary Wednesday line.
A 24-Hour Branch May Still Change Its Schedule
Several ASDA Superstores currently use 24-hour opening through part of the working week. That does not guarantee uninterrupted trading throughout Christmas week.
Festive operating arrangements can override the normal schedule, particularly as stores move towards Christmas Eve closing.
If you intend to shop very late on 23 December or shortly after midnight, checking the dated Holiday Hours is especially important.
Stock Availability Matters as Much as Opening Time
A supermarket can remain open for many hours without guaranteeing that every Christmas product remains in stock.
Turkey, fresh meat, desserts, seasonal vegetables, party food, cream and other Christmas-specific products can experience high demand. If a particular product matters to your plans, shopping earlier gives you more time to find an alternative.
Recipes and seasonal ranges also change, so an item available in a previous Christmas should not automatically be expected in 2026.
Can You Collect an Online Order on 23 December?
Yes, where ASDA offers a Click & Collect slot for your chosen store and date.
Festive collection is based on booked slots, not simply on whether the supermarket doors are open. Use the collection time shown in your account and do not assume you can arrive outside that slot.
The ASDA Click and Collect guide explains the normal collection process.
Delivery Slots Can Be More Important Than Store Hours
If you prefer home delivery, the main challenge is usually securing a festive slot rather than determining whether the supermarket is physically open.
ASDA has previously released more than one million home delivery and Click & Collect slots for the week leading up to Christmas, with Delivery Pass customers receiving earlier booking access in that particular year.
The exact 2026 booking dates should be checked against the current Christmas announcement rather than copied from previous years.
Check Pharmacy Hours Separately
If you need an ASDA pharmacy before Christmas, do not use the supermarket’s closing time as the pharmacy timetable.
Pharmacies can open later and close earlier than the supermarket. Christmas week can create further changes, so check the service details for your branch.
23 December Versus Christmas Eve
The practical advantage of shopping on 23 December is flexibility. If something is unavailable, there is still another trading day before Christmas Day for many branches.
Christmas Eve may suit fresh last-minute purchases, but it can involve earlier closing and less remaining seasonal stock. See the ASDA Christmas Eve opening times if you are deciding between the two days.
How to Check Your Branch
Use the ASDA store locator, choose the exact branch and look at its Holiday Hours for 23 December.
Where no 2026 festive hours are yet shown, check again nearer December. Avoid relying on old opening times because Christmas timetables and store formats can change.
23 December FAQs
Is ASDA open on 23 December?
ASDA normally trades on 23 December, but individual festive opening hours should be checked for the exact branch.
Is 23 December a good day for the Christmas shop?
It can be useful because it gives more flexibility than leaving the entire shop until Christmas Eve.
Will a 24-hour ASDA stay open all night on 23 December?
Not necessarily. Festive Holiday Hours can override normal 24-hour trading.