Christmas Eve operating hours for supermarkets in Germany
Christmas Eve (December 24) is the main festive celebration day in Germany, and many shops close early to allow employees to spend the evening with their families. However, small mini-markets in gas stations and train stations may remain open longer, and in large cities, a few convenience stores might have extended hours.
Most supermarkets close by early to mid-afternoon, with some closing as early as noon and most closing by 4:00 PM. Discount grocery chains such as Aldi, Lidl, Edeka, Rewe, Kaufland, and others typically close by 2:00 PM or 4:00 PM, though this can vary by location.
It's important to check with your local supermarket or their website for exact hours, as there can be significant regional and local variation. For example, the Edeka Jäger at Stuttgart Airport is open 24 hours on Christmas Eve, while Edeka Ernst at Munich Central Station is open from 7am to 11pm.
Bakeries and butchers have drastically reduced hours on Christmas Eve, with sales typically running from 7am to a maximum of 2pm. Wholesalers such as Metro usually close at 12 noon on December 24th.
On the other hand, petrol stations, some small kiosks, and shops in train stations and airports remain open later on Christmas Eve. For instance, Edeka Lars Tamme at Hamburg Airport is open until 10 pm on Christmas Eve.
It's worth noting that no specific supermarket chain hours for Christmas Eve 2025 in Germany are listed in the provided search results. However, as a general rule, expect most supermarkets to close by early to mid-afternoon.
In conclusion, plan to do your grocery shopping early on Christmas Eve in Germany. It's advisable to confirm the exact times with your local store, as hours can vary. If you find yourself in Berlin on a Sunday, information on where to buy groceries can be found in a separate article. Happy holidays!
If you're planning to enjoy a festive dinner on Christmas Eve, remember that most bakeries and butchers operate with limited hours, typically from 7 AM to 2 PM. Moreover, to enhance your home-and-garden decorations and improve your food-and-drink selection, you might want to check out some home and garden stores or specialty food-and-drink shops, as many may remain open later on Christmas Eve.
