The fast food has more than 1,400 branches - and of these, approximately 80% are franchised, which means they can choose their own hours
04:00, 23 Dec 2025
If you prefer a Big Mac over a turkey at Christmas, then you may be wondering if McDonald's will be open over the festive season.
The fast food has more than 1,400 branches - and of these, approximately 80% are franchised, which means they can choose their own hours. This means opening times do vary massively across the UK.
It is highly likely your local McDonald's will be closed on Christmas Day, but there may be a very small handful that choose to stay open.
It will be the branches that are near busy roads or motorway services that are most likely to still welcome customers on December 25.
Maccies fans are advised to check online by entering their postcode on the McDonald's restaurant locator tool for the most up to date opening times.
It explains on the McDonald's website: "Only a handful of McDonald's restaurants open on Christmas Day, please refer to the restaurant locator to confirm if your local restaurant is open during the Christmas period and what times they are trading."
As for the other festive days, you should find that your local Maccies is open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, although their opening times may be slightly reduced.
For example, the Brighton, London Road, branch is normally open from 5am to 11.45pm during the week, but it will close earlier at 8pm on Christmas Eve.
It will then stay closed on Christmas Day, before opening under its normal time of 5am until 11.45pm on Boxing Day.
The McDonald's in Newcastle, on Northumberland Street, is normally open 24 hours - but on Christmas Eve, its hours are shorter and it will close at 10pm.
It is then closed on Christmas Day, before reopening from 9am on Boxing Day.
It comes after McDonald's launched its Christmas menu - with a Grinch theme. There are new Grinch McShaker Fries, which come with dill pickle seasoning.
These are basically regular McDonald's fries, but with a seasoning that you shake on top of them for extra flavour.
There is also a new Grinch Meal, which includes a main menu item, such as a Big Mac or McPlant, plus McShaker Fries, a medium drink, and Grinch socks.
You'll also find a new Frozen Grinch Lemonade and Grumble Grinch Pie, with an apple flavoured filling. There is also a new Cheesy Chicken Stack burger, which contains a chicken breast fillet in a crispy, crunchy coating, layered with a cheese melt, cheese slice, lettuce, and a chipotle salsa.
This is on the menu alongside the Double Big Tasty, which can be customised even further, with a bacon add-on available.
Coconut Noglobe Latte, Coconut Noglobe Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Brownie McFlurry have also joined the UK menu.