Is McDonald’s Open on Christmas Day 2025 in the UK? Hours & Closures

Christmas Day is one of the busiest holidays for families, travelers, and last-minute planners, but also one of the trickiest days to find open restaurants. If you’re craving a Big Mac, fries, or McFlurry on December 25, 2025, you’re probably asking: Is McDonald’s open on Christmas Day in the UK?

The good news: most McDonald’s locations in the UK are closed on Christmas Day, but there are exceptions — primarily in high-traffic areas such as airports, major train stations, and select city-center drive-thru locations. This guide breaks down which locations are open, typical hours, drive-thru vs. dine-in, and holiday planning tips.

Are McDonald’s Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2025?

The vast majority of McDonald’s UK stores close on Christmas Day, including:

City-center restaurants

Mall-based McDonald’s

Standard dine-in locations

However, McDonald’s does maintain limited operations in areas with high traveler demand, such as:

Airport locations

Train stations

Large motorway service stations (M6, M1, M25 corridors)

Some hotel-adjacent or 24-hour drive-thrus

Pro Tip: If you need a meal on Christmas Day, plan to head toward transport hubs or motorway service stations, as these are the most likely to be open.

McDonald’s Christmas Day 2025 Hours in the UK (Typical)

Here’s a general breakdown based on store type:

Store Type Expected Hours Notes
Standard city-center McDonald’s Closed Almost all dine-in and street locations
Mall-based McDonald’s Closed Most shopping centers are shut
Airport McDonald’s 7 AM – 10 PM Open in London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham
Train station McDonald’s 8 AM – 8 PM Open in London King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Edinburgh Waverley
Motorway service drive-thru 7 AM – 9 PM M1, M6, M25, M62; busiest during peak travel hours
Hotel-adjacent McDonald’s 8 AM – 10 PM Select locations in city centers or tourist areas
Drive-Thru vs. Dine-In on Christmas Day

Drive-Thru:
Drive-thru locations near motorway services, airports, or major suburban areas are most likely to remain open. Expect slightly reduced hours, typically 7 AM – 9 PM, depending on local staff availability.

Dine-In:
Most dine-in McDonald’s are closed for the holiday, especially in smaller towns and city-center locations. Even open airport or hotel locations may restrict seating, opting for takeaway only.

Airport McDonald’s Hours on Christmas Day 2025

Travelers have the best chance of finding an open McDonald’s at UK airports:

London Heathrow (LHR)

Terminals 2 & 5: 6 AM – 10 PM

Limited dine-in; mostly takeaway

London Gatwick (LGW)

North & South Terminals: 7 AM – 9 PM

Drive-thru unavailable; takeaway only

Manchester Airport (MAN)

Open 7 AM – 10 PM

Takeaway only; smaller menu

Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

7 AM – 9 PM

Drive-thru not available

Birmingham Airport (BHX)

8 AM – 9 PM

Takeaway and airport lounge kiosks

Tip: Airport McDonald’s may close early for staff breaks — always check signage or the McDonald’s app.

Motorway & Service Station McDonald’s Hours

Highway travel is a common reason people search for Christmas Day McDonald’s hours. Motorway McDonald’s drive-thrus usually operate 7 AM – 9 PM, with peak traffic at 12 PM – 3 PM as families travel between cities.

Popular UK service stations with McDonald’s on Christmas Day:

M1: Toddington, Watford Gap

M6: Keele, Staffordshire

M25: Cobham, Clacket Lane

M62: Ferrybridge, Birch Services

Expect lines during peak hours, especially at motorway junctions near major cities.

Train Station McDonald’s Hours

For those taking trains:

London King’s Cross & Liverpool Street: 8 AM – 8 PM

Manchester Piccadilly & Liverpool Lime Street: 8 AM – 7 PM

Edinburgh Waverley & Glasgow Central: 8 AM – 8 PM

Takeaway only; dine-in seating may be closed for cleaning or holiday staffing.

Holiday Menu Availability

Most McDonald’s stores open on Christmas Day serve a limited menu, often restricted to core items:

Big Mac

Cheeseburger, Hamburger

Chicken McNuggets

Fries and soft drinks

McFlurry (select locations)

Seasonal menu items, like Festive McFlurry specials or limited-time burgers, may not be available. Airport and motorway locations usually have the full core menu, but smaller stations may skip certain items.

Planning Tips for Christmas Day McDonald’s in the UK
1. Use the McDonald’s Store Locator

Check the McDonald’s website or app for live holiday hours and exact locations open on Christmas Day.

2. Call Ahead

Some high-traffic or motorway service McDonald’s update hours last minute due to staffing. A quick call ensures they’re open.

3. Arrive Early

For airports or motorway services, lines can form early. If you need a Big Mac before traveling, aim for 7–8 AM.

4. Expect Takeaway-Only

Even open McDonald’s may disable dine-in seating due to staffing or cleaning schedules.

5. Alternative Options

If your location is closed, nearby KFC, Greggs, or Costa Coffee may remain open — especially in airports or central city hubs.

Common Questions About McDonald’s on Christmas Day (UK)

Q: Are any McDonald’s 24-hour locations open on Christmas Day?

Most 24-hour city locations close; only airports and motorway service drive-thrus remain open.

Q: Can I use the McDonald’s app for mobile orders on Christmas Day?

Yes — but check for limited menu and potential app delays.

Q: Are there McDonald’s delivery options on Christmas Day?

Most stores do not deliver via Uber Eats or Just Eat on Christmas Day, except airport and select city locations.

Q: Is McDonald’s busier on Christmas Eve than Christmas Day?

Yes — December 24 is busier because more stores are open. Christmas Day sees fewer locations but still high demand in travel hubs.

Q: Can I find McDonald’s inside UK hotels on Christmas Day?

A few hotel-adjacent McDonald’s may operate, mainly in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh.

Public Minute Pro Tips for Christmas Day McDonald’s in the UK

Travel Hubs Are Your Friend: Airports, major train stations, and motorway services have the highest chance of being open.

Plan Your Meal Around Peak Hours: Early morning (7–9 AM) and late afternoon (4–6 PM) are safest.

Call Before You Go: Staff changes and last-minute closures happen.

Expect Limited Menu: Focus on core items like Big Macs, fries, and nuggets.

Consider Alternatives: For cities with no open McDonald’s, try KFC, Burger King, or Greggs.

Final Takeaway

For most UK residents, McDonald’s Christmas Day 2025 is mostly closed — but travelers, airport passengers, and motorway drivers still have options. By planning ahead, checking the app or store locator, and heading to airports or service stations, you can secure a McDonald’s meal even on the busiest holiday of the year.

Whether it’s a quick breakfast before a flight or a snack after traveling, knowing which McDonald’s locations are open and when ensures your Christmas Day cravings don’t go unmet.