Left shopping to the last minute?
No judgement here! The holiday season is an incredibly hectic time of the year and usually we end up forgetting at least one thing on our list. Which inevitably leads to a manic dash to the shops in the hope of: A. them being open, and B. having what we need.
But how can you be sure if they’re open? We’ve got you.
Here, we’ve pulled together a guide to what will, and will not, be open across the Christmas and New Year’s period in Australia.
What stores are open on Christmas Day?
Make sure you do all of your grocery shopping before Christmas because Coles, Woolworths and Aldi will all be closed.
You might be able to pick up bits and pieces from convenience stores or petrol stations, which may be open. Check your local convenience store for their opening hours.
Likewise, many fast food restaurants will be operating under unique hours. So places like
McDonald’s, Domino’s, Guzman y Gomez, Hungry Jack’s, KFC, Subway and Red Rooster will have some locations open, but be sure to double-check with your local spot on the day.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday?
Nope, Christmas Eve is not a public holiday and many stores operate on extended trading hours, so if you’ve really left your shopping to the last minute, you can fight the crowds to grab that stocking stuffer or last-minute table decoration.
What’s open on Boxing Day 2026?
As is customary, most stores reopen on Boxing Day for the sales.
Coles stores across the country will reopen on Boxing Day, with the exception of metropolitan stores in South Australia.
Similarly, you’ll find that most Woolworths will be open, except select stores in South Australia and Tasmania.
Most bottle shops will reopen on Boxing Day.
Stores like Target, Big W, Kmart, David Jones and Myer will be open but operating on unique hours.
Bunnings Warehouse will be open, but likewise, be sure to check your local outpost as some will be open for select hours.
New Year’s Eve
You shouldn’t have any issues if you need to shop on New Year’s Eve.
Coles and Woolworths stores will be open. Aldi will also be open, but operating on unique hours so be sure to check your local store.
Westfield shopping centres will be open. As will be Kmart, Big W, Target, David Jones and Myer.
In South Australia, because New Year’s Eve is a public holiday, you should be sure to double-check with the store you want to visit whether they’re open or not.
New Year’s Day
Coles and Woolworths will be open on New Year’s Day. But again, this excludes metropolitan stores in South Australia, which will be closed. Woolworths stores in the Northern Territory will also be closed.
Liquor stores like BWS, Dan Murphy’s and Liquorland will be open but operating on unique hours, so check your local shop to be sure.
Some Westfield stores will be open, but operating on unique hours. Westfield shopping centres in the ACT and South Australia will be closed, and most in NSW will also be shut.
Big retailers such as Kmart, Target and Big W will be open but operating at reduced hours.
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