What's open on Christmas Day 2026?

Christmas Day 2026 is a public holiday across New Zealand, on Friday, 25 December.

It's a restricted shop trading day. Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, almost all shops must stay closed all day, including supermarkets, department stores and mall shops. Exempt shops can open: small grocery shops such as dairies, service stations, pharmacies, takeaways, restaurants and cafés, duty-free and souvenir shops, and a few shops in areas with old exemption orders.

Off-licences, including supermarkets and liquor stores, can't sell alcohol on Christmas Day. Since 3 April 2026, bars and restaurants with an on-licence can serve alcohol as normal.

NZ Post says mail isn't delivered on public holidays; mail due that day comes on your street's next delivery day.

Sources: Employment New Zealand: Public holidays and anniversary dates (2026 and 2027) · Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, sections 3, 4, 4A and 4B (restricted trading days and exemptions) · Employment New Zealand: Restricted trading days for shops · Employment New Zealand: Valid shop trading exemptions granted (area exemptions, PDF) · Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Act 2026 (new section 48: off-licences) · Ministry of Justice: Changes to alcohol sales on restricted trading days (in force 3 April 2026) · NZ Post: Your mail delivery days ("Mail isn't delivered on public holidays")