If you are planning a visit to McDonald’s in the UK, one of the first things you may want to know is what time McDonald’s opens and closes.

The answer is not exactly the same for every restaurant. McDonald’s UK restaurants operate different schedules depending on their location, restaurant type, local circumstances and available services. Some restaurants are open 24 hours a day, while others have specific opening and closing times.

McDonald’s UK says that its restaurants open at a variety of times across the country, and more than half of its restaurants are open 24 hours a day. The company recommends using its official Restaurant Locator to confirm the hours for a particular restaurant.

This complete guide explains McDonald’s hours in the UK, including normal opening times, closing times, 24-hour restaurants, breakfast hours, late-night visits, weekends, bank holidays, Christmas, Easter, New Year and how to check the latest opening hours for your local restaurant.

McDonald’s Opening Hours UK

There is no single opening time that applies to every McDonald’s restaurant in the UK.

Some restaurants open early in the morning, while others may operate continuously throughout the day and night. McDonald’s confirms that restaurant opening times vary across the UK.

This means that searching for a general answer such as “What time does McDonald’s open?” may not always provide the correct information for a particular restaurant.

For example, one restaurant might operate 24 hours, while another restaurant in a town centre, shopping area, transport location or other setting may have more limited hours.

How to find your local McDonald’s hours

The most reliable way to check a restaurant’s current schedule is to use the official McDonald’s UK Restaurant Locator.

McDonald’s specifically directs customers to its Restaurant Locator to find the opening and closing times of individual restaurants.

This is particularly important around holidays because individual restaurants may use different schedules.

Is McDonald’s Open 24 Hours?

Yes, many McDonald’s restaurants in the UK are open 24 hours a day.

However, not every McDonald’s restaurant is open 24/7.

McDonald’s UK says that more than half of its restaurants are open 24 hours a day. Its official FAQ also states that the UK has more than 600 restaurants operating 24/7, while another McDonald’s UK page has described the number as more than 650. Because restaurant schedules can change, the Restaurant Locator remains the best way to confirm whether a particular restaurant is currently open around the clock.

Why are some McDonald’s restaurants open 24 hours?

McDonald’s restaurants have different operating schedules because locations have different customer patterns and operating circumstances.

A 24-hour restaurant may serve customers throughout the night, while another restaurant may close at a particular time and reopen the following morning.

The availability of 24-hour service can therefore depend on the individual restaurant rather than the McDonald’s brand as a whole.

What Time Does McDonald’s Close?

There is also no universal McDonald’s closing time in the UK.

Some restaurants close during the evening or night, while many others remain open late into the night or operate 24 hours.

McDonald’s UK specifically says that its restaurants have different opening hours and recommends checking the Restaurant Locator for the restaurant you intend to visit.

If you are travelling late at night, it is therefore better to check the specific restaurant rather than assume that every McDonald’s remains open until the same time.

McDonald’s Hours Today

If you are searching for “McDonald’s hours today”, the answer depends on the restaurant.

The restaurant’s schedule can be affected by:

• Its location
• Whether it is a 24-hour restaurant
• Local operating arrangements
• Holidays
• Special circumstances
• Restaurant-specific changes

The official McDonald’s UK Restaurant Locator is the recommended source for checking the current hours of an individual restaurant.

For the most accurate result, search for the exact McDonald’s restaurant rather than relying on general UK opening hours.

McDonald’s Hours Near Me

Another common search is:

“McDonald’s hours near me.”

Because McDonald’s restaurants operate different schedules, the closest restaurant is not necessarily open for the same hours as another McDonald’s in the same town or city.

The McDonald’s Restaurant Locator allows customers to find restaurants and check available services and opening information.

When checking a restaurant, customers should also look at the services available at that location, such as:

• Dine-in
• Drive-Thru
• Click & Collect
• McDelivery
• Table Service

McDonald’s UK provides restaurant-finding functionality through its official website.

McDonald’s Breakfast Hours

McDonald’s breakfast has its own serving period and does not necessarily run for the entire time that the restaurant is open.

McDonald’s UK currently states that its breakfast menu is served from:

6:00am to 11:00am

according to the company’s UK Help section.

This is important because a restaurant can be open before or after breakfast hours without serving the breakfast menu.

Does a 24-hour McDonald’s serve breakfast all night?

No.

Being open 24 hours does not mean that the breakfast menu is available 24 hours a day.

McDonald’s distinguishes restaurant opening hours from menu serving periods. Its UK Help information states that breakfast is served from 6:00am to 11:00am.

Therefore, someone visiting a 24-hour McDonald’s at 2:00am should not assume that the breakfast menu is available simply because the restaurant is open.

McDonald’s Late-Night Hours

McDonald’s is a popular late-night food option in many parts of the UK, particularly at restaurants with extended or 24-hour opening.

However, late-night availability differs between locations.

McDonald’s UK has specifically stated that restaurants have varying opening hours and directs customers to its Restaurant Locator for current restaurant-specific information.

If you plan to visit McDonald’s late at night, check:

1. Whether the restaurant is open
2. Whether the Drive-Thru is operating
3. Whether dine-in is available
4. Whether McDelivery is available
5. Whether Click & Collect is available

The restaurant’s opening schedule does not necessarily mean that every service operates under exactly the same conditions.

McDonald’s Hours on Saturday

Many McDonald’s restaurants operate on Saturdays, but Saturday hours vary by location.

A 24-hour restaurant may remain open throughout Saturday and into Sunday, whereas another restaurant may have defined Saturday opening and closing times.

Because McDonald’s UK does not publish one universal Saturday schedule for every restaurant, customers should check the individual restaurant through the Restaurant Locator.

McDonald’s Hours on Sunday

McDonald’s restaurants are generally available on Sundays, but exact hours vary between restaurants.

Sunday schedules may differ from weekday schedules, particularly for restaurants located in shopping centres or other locations with their own operating arrangements.

Therefore, customers should check the specific restaurant before travelling.

McDonald’s Hours on Weekends

There is no single nationwide weekend schedule.

A McDonald’s restaurant may:

• Open early on Saturday and Sunday
• Operate late at night
• Operate 24 hours
• Have different Sunday hours
• Adjust its hours around public holidays

McDonald’s recommends using its Restaurant Locator to check the hours of an individual restaurant.

McDonald’s Hours on Bank Holidays

A bank holiday does not automatically mean that every McDonald’s restaurant will close.

McDonald’s restaurants can operate on bank holidays, but opening times can vary by location.

This distinction is important because a UK bank holiday is not the same thing as a mandatory nationwide closure for restaurants.

The UK government publishes separate bank-holiday calendars for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Customers should therefore check their individual McDonald’s restaurant before visiting on a bank holiday.

McDonald’s Hours on New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is a UK bank holiday.

McDonald’s restaurants may operate on New Year’s Day, but hours can vary between locations.

The official UK bank-holiday calendar lists New Year’s Day as a bank holiday, while McDonald’s restaurant hours remain location-specific.

If you want to visit McDonald’s on 1 January, check the specific restaurant’s holiday schedule rather than assuming that its normal weekday hours apply.

McDonald’s Hours on Good Friday

Good Friday is a bank holiday in the UK.

McDonald’s restaurants may be open on Good Friday, but individual restaurant hours can vary.

For 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April in England and Wales, according to the UK government’s bank-holiday calendar.

Before travelling, customers should check the restaurant’s current schedule.

McDonald’s Hours on Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday requires particular attention because opening arrangements can differ from ordinary Sundays.

Customers should not automatically assume that their local McDonald’s will operate its normal Sunday schedule.

There can also be legal trading restrictions affecting certain large shops in England and Wales on Easter Sunday. Government guidance says large shops over 280 square metres must close on Easter Sunday, although there are exemptions for certain types of outlets, including some airport, railway-station and service-station outlets.

This does not mean that every McDonald’s restaurant must close. Restaurant-specific circumstances and applicable exemptions matter.

The safest approach is to check the individual restaurant’s schedule.

McDonald’s Hours on Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a bank holiday.

McDonald’s restaurants may remain open, but opening hours can vary by location.

In 2026, Easter Monday falls on 6 April in England and Wales.

Customers should check their local restaurant before making a journey.

Is McDonald’s Open on Christmas Day?

This is one of the most frequently searched McDonald’s-hours questions.

The answer is:

Some McDonald’s restaurants may open on Christmas Day, but only a small number typically do.

McDonald’s UK specifically states that only a handful of restaurants open on Christmas Day and advises customers to use the Restaurant Locator to confirm whether their local restaurant is open during the Christmas period and to check its trading times.

Therefore, you should never assume that your local McDonald’s is open on 25 December simply because it is normally a 24-hour restaurant.

Why Christmas Day is different

Christmas Day is one of the most significant holiday dates in the UK.

Restaurant opening decisions can differ from normal schedules, and individual restaurants may have special holiday arrangements.

For this reason, Christmas opening hours should always be checked specifically rather than relying on ordinary weekly hours.

Is McDonald’s Open on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is another important date to check.

Many McDonald’s restaurants may operate on Boxing Day, but exact hours can vary.

The UK government’s bank-holiday calendar identifies Boxing Day as a bank holiday, with substitute days used when the holiday falls on a weekend.

McDonald’s customers should therefore check their specific restaurant’s Boxing Day schedule.

McDonald’s Christmas Opening Hours

The Christmas period can include several days with different operating schedules.

A restaurant could have:

• Normal or near-normal hours before Christmas
• Reduced hours on Christmas Eve
• Limited or no service on Christmas Day
• Different hours on Boxing Day
• Special hours between Christmas and New Year
• Different hours on New Year’s Eve
• Different hours on New Year’s Day

There is no single Christmas schedule covering every McDonald’s restaurant in the UK.

McDonald’s specifically recommends checking the Restaurant Locator for Christmas-period trading hours.

McDonald’s Christmas Eve Hours

Christmas Eve is generally different from Christmas Day.

Individual McDonald’s restaurants may have special Christmas Eve schedules, including potentially earlier closing times.

Because these schedules can be restaurant-specific, customers should check the individual location rather than assuming that normal hours continue throughout Christmas Eve.

McDonald’s New Year’s Eve Hours

New Year’s Eve can also involve special operating arrangements.

Some restaurants may operate normally, while others may have adjusted hours.

If you plan to visit McDonald’s late on New Year’s Eve, check the restaurant’s current schedule in advance.

This is particularly important if you are relying on a late-night or 24-hour location.

McDonald’s Hours on Other UK Bank Holidays

McDonald’s restaurants may operate during other bank holidays, but there is no universal schedule.

Important UK bank holidays include:

England and Wales

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May bank holiday
• Spring bank holiday
• Summer bank holiday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Scotland

Scotland has some different bank holidays, including:

• New Year’s Day
• 2 January
• Good Friday
• Early May bank holiday
• Spring bank holiday
• Summer bank holiday
• St Andrew’s Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has additional bank holidays including:

• St Patrick’s Day
• Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen’s Day

The exact dates can vary each year, particularly when holidays falling at weekends result in substitute weekdays.

A bank holiday should therefore be treated as a reason to check the restaurant’s hours, rather than as proof that McDonald’s is closed.

McDonald’s Hours During School Holidays

School holidays do not automatically create one national McDonald’s timetable.

Restaurants continue to operate according to their individual schedules.

However, customer demand can change during school holidays, especially around family-oriented locations and popular travel periods.

For customers, the important point is that school holidays are not a guarantee of longer or shorter hours.

Always check the particular restaurant.

McDonald’s Hours During Half-Term

Half-term is another period when people may search for McDonald’s opening times.

McDonald’s restaurants generally continue to operate according to their normal location-specific schedules, although individual restaurants can have different operating arrangements.

Families visiting McDonald’s during half-term should check the restaurant they plan to visit, particularly if they are travelling early in the morning or later at night.

McDonald’s Drive-Thru Hours

Drive-Thru availability can be particularly useful for customers travelling outside conventional dining hours.

Many McDonald’s restaurants offer Drive-Thru service, but the exact operating hours can vary by location.

A restaurant being open does not necessarily mean that every service is available at every moment.

When checking a restaurant, look for its available services and opening information.

McDonald’s UK identifies Drive-Thru as one of the services available through its restaurant network.

Are McDonald’s Drive-Thrus Open 24 Hours?

Some are, but not all.

A restaurant may operate 24 hours, while another may have a Drive-Thru that closes at a particular time.

If you specifically need a 24-hour Drive-Thru, check the individual restaurant rather than assuming every 24-hour McDonald’s provides exactly the same service schedule.

McDonald’s Dine-In Hours

Dine-in hours can differ from the overall restaurant opening hours.

For example, a restaurant may offer late-night or overnight service through particular channels while having different arrangements for its dining area.

Customers should therefore check the services listed for their restaurant.

McDonald’s McDelivery Hours

McDelivery availability depends on the restaurant and the delivery service operating in that area.

Even if a McDonald’s restaurant is open, delivery may not necessarily be available at exactly the same times.

Factors can include:

• Restaurant hours
• Delivery-service availability
• Local coverage
• Driver availability
• Restaurant operating conditions

McDonald’s UK directs customers with McDelivery issues to Uber Eats for delivery-related support.

Therefore, delivery hours should be checked through the McDonald’s ordering experience for the restaurant rather than inferred from the restaurant’s general opening time.

McDonald’s Click & Collect Hours

Click & Collect is another service offered at participating restaurants.

The availability of Click & Collect depends on the individual restaurant and its operating schedule.

McDonald’s UK identifies Click & Collect as one of the services available through its restaurants.

If you are ordering through the McDonald’s app, the available options for the selected restaurant provide a useful indication of what is currently available.

Do McDonald’s Hours Affect the Menu?

Yes.

Restaurant opening hours and menu serving hours are not necessarily the same.

The clearest example is breakfast.

McDonald’s UK currently lists breakfast service from 6:00am to 11:00am.

Consequently, a restaurant can be open before or after breakfast hours while offering a different menu.

The availability of individual menu items can also change depending on the time of day, restaurant and current McDonald’s menu.

Why Do McDonald’s Opening Hours Vary?

There are several reasons why McDonald’s hours can differ from one restaurant to another.

Location

A restaurant in a busy city centre can have different operating patterns from one in another type of location.

Customer Demand

Opening hours can reflect local customer demand.

Restaurant Type

Some restaurants operate 24 hours, while others use limited schedules.

Local Circumstances

Individual restaurant conditions can affect operating hours.

Holidays

Christmas and other holidays can involve special schedules.

Services

Different services can have different availability.

For all of these reasons, McDonald’s UK does not publish one universal opening timetable for every restaurant.

What Time Does McDonald’s Start Serving Breakfast?

According to the current McDonald’s UK Help information, breakfast is served from:

6:00am

Breakfast service ends at:

11:00am

This means customers looking for a breakfast item should generally visit during the breakfast serving window rather than simply checking whether the restaurant itself is open.

Can You Get McDonald’s Breakfast at Night?

Normally, no.

A restaurant being open 24 hours does not mean its breakfast menu is served throughout the night.

McDonald’s UK currently lists breakfast service as 6:00am–11:00am.

Therefore, overnight customers should expect the regular menu rather than breakfast.

Does McDonald’s Have Different Hours in Different UK Countries?

McDonald’s operates throughout:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

Restaurant hours can vary between individual locations regardless of which UK country they are in.

Holiday calendars can also differ.

For example, Scotland has some bank holidays that differ from England and Wales, while Northern Ireland has additional holidays.

This is another reason why checking the exact restaurant is more reliable than using a generic UK opening-hours list.

McDonald’s Hours and Public Holidays

It is useful to distinguish between:

Bank holidays

and

McDonald’s restaurant holidays/opening policies.

A bank holiday is a public holiday recognised under UK arrangements. It does not automatically mean that a McDonald’s restaurant will close.

The UK government publishes the official bank-holiday dates, but McDonald’s restaurant schedules are determined at the restaurant level.

Therefore:

Bank holiday ≠ automatically closed

and

Normal day ≠ guaranteed normal hours

Checking the individual restaurant remains the most reliable approach.

How to Check McDonald’s Hours Before You Visit

The simplest approach is to use the official McDonald’s UK Restaurant Locator.

Step 1: Find the restaurant

Search for the McDonald’s restaurant in your area.

Step 2: Check the opening hours

Look at the restaurant’s current schedule.

Step 3: Check the services

Look for services such as:

• Drive-Thru
• Dine-in
• Click & Collect
• McDelivery
• Table Service

Step 4: Check again around holidays

If you are visiting on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Easter or another bank holiday, verify the schedule close to the date.

McDonald’s itself recommends using the Restaurant Locator to confirm opening and closing times.

Is McDonald’s Open 24 Hours on Every Day?

Not every McDonald’s is open 24 hours.

McDonald’s UK says that more than half of its restaurants operate 24 hours, but opening hours vary between locations.

A 24-hour restaurant can remain open throughout:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

However, holiday schedules can still be different.

For example, a restaurant that normally operates 24 hours should not automatically be assumed to operate 24 hours on Christmas Day.

McDonald’s Hours for Travellers

If you are travelling around the UK, it is especially important to check restaurant-specific hours.

A traveller may encounter:

• 24-hour McDonald’s
• Late-night restaurants
• Restaurants with standard daytime hours
• Restaurants with special holiday schedules

McDonald’s has historically explained that 24-hour opening was first trialled in the UK in the 1990s at selected locations, particularly airports, before being expanded more widely.

This makes McDonald’s a potentially convenient option for people travelling at unusual times, but availability still depends on the specific restaurant.

McDonald’s Hours at Airports, Stations and Other Locations

Location can have a major influence on opening patterns.

Restaurants at transport-related locations can have different operating circumstances from traditional high-street restaurants.

This is particularly relevant during holidays.

UK government trading-hours guidance also identifies certain transport and service-station outlets as exemptions from some large-shop trading restrictions.

Therefore, a McDonald’s at or near an airport, railway station or service station may have different holiday arrangements from another restaurant.

Does McDonald’s Close on Christmas Eve?

There is no single nationwide answer.

Some restaurants may reduce their hours on Christmas Eve, while others may operate for longer.

The exact schedule depends on the individual restaurant.

If Christmas Eve opening is important to you, check the specific restaurant through the McDonald’s Restaurant Locator.

Does McDonald’s Close on New Year’s Eve?

Again, there is no single nationwide closing time.

Individual restaurants can have different New Year’s Eve arrangements.

Late-night customers should check their restaurant before travelling, especially if they plan to visit close to midnight.

Does McDonald’s Open on Christmas Day?

Only a small number of McDonald’s restaurants are normally open on Christmas Day.

McDonald’s UK explicitly says that only a handful of restaurants open on Christmas Day and advises customers to check the Restaurant Locator for the Christmas-period trading schedule.

This makes Christmas Day one of the most important dates on which to verify your local restaurant’s hours in advance.

Does McDonald’s Open on Boxing Day?

McDonald’s restaurants may open on Boxing Day, but schedules vary.

Boxing Day is a UK bank holiday and can have special operating arrangements.

Check your local restaurant before visiting.

Does McDonald’s Open on Easter?

McDonald’s restaurants can operate during the Easter period, but individual opening schedules can vary.

The four key Easter dates to consider are:

• Good Friday
• Easter Saturday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday

Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays, while Easter Sunday can involve particular trading restrictions for certain large shops in England and Wales.

Because restaurant circumstances differ, customers should check the exact restaurant.

McDonald’s Hours: Quick Reference

The table is a general guide rather than a guarantee. McDonald’s UK recommends checking the individual restaurant’s current schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About McDonald’s Hours

What time does McDonald’s open in the UK?

There is no single UK-wide opening time. Restaurant hours vary by location. McDonald’s recommends checking its Restaurant Locator.

What time does McDonald’s close?

Closing times vary. Some restaurants operate late at night, while many are open 24 hours.

Is McDonald’s open 24 hours?

Many McDonald’s restaurants are open 24 hours, but not all. More than half of UK restaurants are currently described by McDonald’s as open 24 hours.

Is McDonald’s open at night?

Many locations are open late, and some operate 24 hours. Check the individual restaurant.

Is McDonald’s open on Sundays?

Many restaurants operate on Sundays, but Sunday hours vary.

Is McDonald’s open on bank holidays?

McDonald’s restaurants can open on bank holidays, but individual opening times vary.

Is McDonald’s open on Christmas Day?

Only a handful of UK McDonald’s restaurants typically open on Christmas Day. McDonald’s advises customers to check the Restaurant Locator.

Is McDonald’s open on Boxing Day?

Some restaurants operate on Boxing Day, but opening times vary by location.

What time does McDonald’s serve breakfast?

McDonald’s UK currently states that breakfast is served from 6:00am to 11:00am.

Can I get breakfast at a 24-hour McDonald’s at 2am?

Being open 24 hours does not mean breakfast is served all night. McDonald’s UK currently lists breakfast service from 6:00am to 11:00am.

Are all McDonald’s restaurants open 24 hours?

No. McDonald’s restaurants have different opening schedules.

How can I check my local McDonald’s hours?

Use the official McDonald’s UK Restaurant Locator and search for the restaurant you plan to visit.

Are McDonald’s Drive-Thru hours the same as restaurant hours?

Not necessarily. Service availability can vary by location, so check the individual restaurant’s listed services.

Is McDelivery available whenever McDonald’s is open?

Not necessarily. Delivery availability depends on the restaurant and delivery-service arrangements.

Are McDonald’s holiday hours the same every year?

Not necessarily. Holiday schedules can change, so it is best to check the restaurant’s current information for the relevant holiday.

Final Guide to McDonald’s Hours in the UK

The most important thing to remember about McDonald’s hours is that there is no single opening and closing schedule for every restaurant in the UK.

McDonald’s operates restaurants with different hours, including a large number of 24-hour locations. The company currently says that more than half of its restaurants are open 24 hours.

At the same time, breakfast has its own serving window, currently listed as 6:00am–11:00am, and individual services such as Drive-Thru, McDelivery and Click & Collect may have their own availability.

Holiday periods require additional attention. Christmas Day is particularly different because McDonald’s UK says only a handful of restaurants open that day.

For bank holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday and the May and August bank holidays, customers should not assume that every McDonald’s restaurant will follow the same schedule. The UK government publishes the official bank-holiday dates, while McDonald’s recommends checking individual restaurant hours.

Ultimately, the McDonald’s UK Restaurant Locator is the best place to check the current hours of a particular restaurant.

If you are planning a visit, especially late at night or during Christmas, Easter or another public holiday, checking the exact restaurant shortly before travelling can help you avoid arriving after closing time.