Opening hours vary by restaurant and franchisee. This guide is based on McDonald’s UK’s established New Year pattern and the confirmed 2025–2026 arrangements — the 2027 festive hours are published in December, so check the McDonald’s UK app or restaurant locator for your local branch closer to the date. Last updated October 2026.
Every January, the same question spikes on Google: is McDonald’s open on New Year’s Day? With New Year’s Day 2027 falling on a Friday (1 January), here’s the straight answer for the UK.
The short answer: yes, McDonald’s is open on New Year’s Day
Good news: unlike Christmas Day, almost all McDonald’s restaurants in the UK open on New Year’s Day. It’s a bank holiday, but the golden arches stay lit — your hangover McMuffin is safe.
That said, expect reduced hours. Most branches open later and close earlier than usual, giving crews some well-earned time off after the festive season. The pattern from recent years is consistent:
- Restaurants that are normally open 24 hours typically close early on New Year’s Eve (around 10pm), then reopen on New Year’s Day at roughly 8am, closing again in the evening (usually between 9pm and 11pm).
- Standard branches often run something like 8am–11pm on New Year’s Day rather than their usual 6am–11pm.
- Motorway service station branches generally stay open 24 hours as normal on both days — useful if you’re driving home on 1 January.
Because around 80% of McDonald’s UK restaurants are franchised, individual owners set their own festive hours, so exact times vary from branch to branch. Always check before you travel.
New Year’s Eve 2026 (Thursday 31 December)
Most restaurants are open on New Year’s Eve, but many shut earlier than normal in the evening. Recent examples from McDonald’s UK’s published festive hours show the pattern:
- Manchester’s Oxford Road branch (normally 24 hours) closed at 10pm on New Year’s Eve, reopening at 8am on New Year’s Day.
- London Bridge (normally 5am–11:55pm) closed at 8:55pm on New Year’s Eve, reopening at 8am on New Year’s Day.
- Edinburgh’s Princes Street traded 5am–3am on New Year’s Eve, then reopened at 8am on New Year’s Day.
- Portsmouth’s Commercial Road ran 6am–10pm on New Year’s Eve (normally 6am–11pm).
If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve Maccies run, go earlier in the evening — don’t assume the drive-thru will still be serving at midnight.
New Year’s Day 2027 (Friday 1 January)
This is the day most people ask about. Based on the established pattern:
- Almost all branches open, typically from around 8am.
- Closing times are earlier than usual — many shut between 9pm and 11pm.
- City-centre and 24-hour branches may open slightly earlier or close slightly later, but the reduced-hours pattern still applies.
- Service station branches are the exception, generally running 24 hours as normal.
New Year’s Day is a bank holiday across the UK (and Scotland gets 2 January as well), so if you’re off work and fancy a leisurely brunch, the late morning is the sweet spot — after the breakfast rush and before the lunch queues.
Breakfast on New Year’s Day
Breakfast is normally served until 11am — but with many branches opening at 8am on New Year’s Day, the breakfast window is shorter than usual. If you want a Sausage & Egg McMuffin to kick off 2027, don’t leave it until 10:55am. Our guide to McDonald’s breakfast prices has the full rundown of the morning menu and what each item costs.
What about McDelivery on New Year’s Day?
McDelivery (Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo) follows restaurant opening hours — so delivery is available on New Year’s Day wherever branches are open, just within the reduced hours. One warning: it’s one of the busiest delivery days of the year, so expect longer waits and the occasional “busy” message on the apps. Ordering a little earlier or later than the 12–2pm peak helps.
New menu items in January
January is traditionally when McDonald’s UK refreshes the menu — in 2026, three new items landed on 8 January for a six-week run. If the pattern holds, the first full week of 2027 should bring new additions, likely overlapping with the last days of the Christmas menu. We’ll update our McDonald’s Christmas menu 2026 guide as the January lineup is confirmed.
How to check your local restaurant’s New Year hours
- Open the McDonald’s UK app and use the restaurant locator — festive hours are published in December.
- Check Google Maps — New Year hours are usually updated on business listings.
- When in doubt, call the restaurant directly.
Quick summary
| Date | Day | Expected opening |
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2026 | Thursday (New Year’s Eve) | Most open, many close early in the evening |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday (New Year’s Day) | Almost all open — reduced hours, typically ~8am–11pm |
Frequently asked questions
Is McDonald’s open on New Year’s Day 2027 in the UK?
Yes — almost all branches open on 1 January, though most run reduced hours, typically opening around 8am.
Is McDonald’s open on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, most restaurants open on New Year’s Eve but usually close earlier than normal in the evening.
Is McDonald’s open 24 hours on New Year’s Day?
Most 24-hour branches switch to reduced hours on New Year’s Day. Motorway service station branches are the exception and generally stay open 24 hours.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast on New Year’s Day?
Breakfast normally ends at 11am, but with later opening times on the bank holiday, the window is shorter — aim for well before 11am.
Can I get McDonald’s delivered on New Year’s Day?
Yes, via Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo, within each restaurant’s (reduced) opening hours. Expect it to be busy.
Why do opening hours vary so much between branches?
Around 80% of McDonald’s UK restaurants are franchised, so individual owners set their own festive hours. Always check your local branch in the app.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald’s. Opening hours vary by restaurant — always check locally before travelling. Also see our guides to whether McDonald’s is open on Christmas Day 2026 and the McDonald’s Christmas menu 2026.