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Understanding when Royal Mail resumes deliveries after Christmas is essential for both senders and recipients during the festive season.
With public holidays and a high volume of parcels, knowing the official delivery schedule helps avoid confusion and disappointment.
This guide outlines Royal Mail’s operational dates following Christmas Day 2025, including weekend services and how to access local updates.
Whether you’re expecting a parcel or managing customer expectations, this information ensures you’re prepared for the post-holiday delivery timeline.
What Is Royal Mail’s Delivery Schedule Over Christmas 2025?
Royal Mail’s delivery schedule around Christmas is influenced by the UK’s national holidays and internal operational planning.
The Christmas period, especially from 24 to 28 December, brings noticeable service changes due to official holidays and reduced staff availability.
Knowing these changes helps customers plan parcel deliveries and collections more effectively.
For Christmas 2025, the dates with significant service impact are:
Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December 2025
Royal Mail will not deliver or collect any mail on Christmas Day. This is a nationwide holiday, and no postal activity takes place.
Sorting offices, delivery centres, and customer service points remain closed. Any mail due for delivery on 25 December will be delayed until the next working day.
Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December 2025
Boxing Day is also a public holiday in the UK. As with Christmas Day, no Royal Mail deliveries or collections will occur.
Sorting and distribution activities will pause. Items that were in transit may remain undelivered until services resume on the weekend.
Saturday – 27 December 2025
This is the first day after Christmas when Royal Mail services resume. Regular Saturday services will be available. That includes:
- Standard letter deliveries
- Tracked parcel deliveries
- Some local collections from residential and business customers
Although services resume, delays are still expected due to the backlog created during the 25 and 26 December closures.
Royal Mail also advises customers to track their parcels to verify delivery times, as delivery volumes tend to spike post-Christmas.
Sunday – 28 December 2025Â
Royal Mail will continue to offer Sunday parcel deliveries in areas where this service is usually available.
Not all parts of the UK are covered, but major towns and cities often benefit from this service.
Standard letter mail is not delivered on Sundays. Only pre-sorted and scheduled parcels from certain classes will be delivered.
To determine whether your address qualifies for Sunday delivery, you should use Royal Mail’s postcode-based service update tool.
The four-day timeline from 25 to 28 December represents a shift from normal postal operations, but Royal Mail attempts to mitigate delays by reinstating core services over the weekend.
Does Royal Mail Deliver on Christmas Day or Boxing Day?Â
Royal Mail does not provide any services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. These days are considered statutory holidays across the UK.
Both delivery staff and sorting centre employees are not on duty. The closure affects all delivery formats, including:
- First Class and Second Class letters
- Special Delivery Guaranteed items
- Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Tracked 48
- Signed For services
- International Tracked and Signed
Senders using time-sensitive services are advised to send parcels before the final recommended posting dates.
Items sent too close to Christmas may experience delays, particularly if they are not sent via tracked or priority services.
Customers should also be mindful that even parcels sent via Special Delivery Guaranteed before Christmas may face delays if not posted on or before 23 December.
When Will Royal Mail Resume Normal Delivery Services After Christmas?
The resumption of full Royal Mail services begins incrementally. While services return on Saturday, 27 December, full weekday operations, including business deliveries and collections, are expected to be fully active by Monday, 29 December.
Some minor delays may still be experienced due to residual holiday backlogs, particularly for parcels in rural or remote regions.
However, Royal Mail’s central distribution system aims to restore normal efficiency within 48 hours of the final bank holiday closure.
Key operations that resume include:
- Residential and commercial deliveries
- Standard and tracked parcel services
- Special Delivery and Signed For mail
- International outbound and inbound processing
Here is a breakdown of how Royal Mail resumes operations after Christmas:
| Date | Services Resumed | Notes |
| 27 December (Sat) | Weekend deliveries and collections | Subject to regional availability |
| 28 December (Sun) | Parcel deliveries in select areas | No letter deliveries |
| 29 December (Mon) | Full service resumes | Weekday operations and business services |
Customers expecting deliveries during this period should allow an extra 24–48 hours beyond normal delivery times.
Are Customer Service Points Open During the Christmas Period?
Customer Service Points (CSPs) play a critical role during the holiday period, especially for people collecting missed deliveries.
These centres are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. From Saturday, 27 December, they reopen with adjusted hours depending on the location.
Services available at CSPs include:
- Collection of parcels with a “Something for You” card
- Return drop-offs for tracked or labelled items
- Purchase of stamps and postage
- Identity verification (at select CSPs)
CSPs are not uniformly open across the UK. Some may open with reduced staff or hours. Customers can check the nearest CSP’s status and working hours via the Royal Mail services near you tool. This is updated frequently, especially during the Christmas period.
To avoid queues, Royal Mail encourages customers to bring valid ID and visit during non-peak hours, usually early morning or late afternoon.
How Does the Christmas Bank Holiday Affect Royal Mail Services?
Bank holidays are officially recognised days off, and Royal Mail aligns its service schedules accordingly.
These holidays not only pause delivery services but also halt sorting operations, leading to a service lag across several days.
The week following Christmas sees a gradual build-up in deliveries due to accumulated parcels in the system.
Below is an updated table reflecting bank holiday impacts:
| Bank Holiday | Date | Royal Mail Operational Status |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 | Closed: No delivery or collection |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2025 | Closed: No delivery or collection |
| Weekend Resumption | 27–28 December 2025 | Limited services |
| Full Weekday Services | From 29 December 2025 | Normal operations expected |
Customers should also account for New Year’s Day closures, as services pause again on 1 January 2026. The combined effect of both holidays can cause rolling delays into early January.
What Should You Do If You’re Expecting a Parcel During the Holiday?
Managing your deliveries around the Christmas holiday can prevent frustration and unnecessary delays. Royal Mail advises both senders and recipients to plan accordingly.
Here are practical steps to take if you’re waiting for a parcel after Christmas:
- Use tracking numbers to monitor parcel progress
- Check your delivery address for accuracy to avoid redirection issues
- Visit your local Customer Service Point if you receive a “Something for You” card
- Review the Royal Mail Service Update page daily during the holiday period
Additional considerations include:
- Allow at least 2 extra working days beyond the expected delivery date
- Consider whether your address qualifies for Sunday delivery
- If purchasing online, choose retailers offering Royal Mail Tracked 24 or Special Delivery Guaranteed
Items stuck in transit over Christmas can often be collected sooner from CSPs than waiting for redelivery attempts.
Does Royal Mail Deliver on Weekends During the Christmas Period?
Weekend deliveries form part of Royal Mail’s regular operating model, and this continues during the festive season where possible. However, services may be limited by:
- Staffing levels
- Parcel volumes
- Local area coverage
Saturday Delivery
Saturday, 27 December 2025, will see the reinstatement of normal weekend delivery operations.
This includes letters and parcels. Priority will likely be given to time-sensitive tracked parcels and missed delivery redeliveries.
Sunday Delivery
Sunday delivery services will take place on 28 December 2025 but are restricted to parcels. Areas with existing Sunday parcel delivery infrastructure will benefit most. Royal Mail usually prioritises high-volume regions and city centres for this service.
The company has expanded Sunday operations in recent years to meet e-commerce demand, but coverage is still not universal.
Customers who typically receive Sunday parcels during the rest of the year should expect similar service levels following Christmas.
How Can You Check Royal Mail Services in Your Local Area?
The Royal Mail website provides up-to-date information about delivery and collection statuses. Customers can access their local service information by entering their postcode in the service update portal.
Steps to check:
- Visit royalmail.com/service-update
- Enter your postcode in the field provided
- Review service status including delays, staff shortages, or local closures
- Use the tool daily if awaiting important mail
This is especially helpful if you live in a rural or weather-sensitive area. Delays due to snow or road disruptions are more likely during winter months.
When Should You Expect Delays in Royal Mail Deliveries?
Delays in Royal Mail delivery services after Christmas are not uncommon. Several factors contribute to the slowdown:
- Holiday backlog of undelivered parcels from 25 and 26 December
- Increased post-Christmas returns from online shopping
- Lower staff availability immediately after bank holidays
- Weather-related disruptions in certain parts of the UK
Even with resumed services, parcels processed between 24 and 31 December may take longer to arrive. Royal Mail typically clears backlog volumes by the first week of January.
To better understand how long a delay might last, consider:
- Service type: Tracked services usually move faster
- Location: Urban areas tend to recover quicker than rural ones
- Volume: The volume of parcels and letters handled post-Christmas is often higher than the pre-holiday period
Royal Mail has contingency plans for backlogs, including staff reallocation and extended Customer Service Point hours where necessary.
What Is the Best Way to Contact Royal Mail During the Holidays?
Royal Mail offers several channels for customer support, although access may be reduced during the holiday period. Common ways to contact the service include:
- Royal Mail Help Centre: An online portal that answers frequently asked questions and allows users to raise enquiries
- Phone Support: Available via 03457 740 740. This service operates Monday to Saturday, with reduced hours on bank holidays
- Customer Service Points: Open from 27 December for parcel collection and in-person help
During peak holiday times, phone lines may experience longer wait times. It’s advisable to use the Help Centre or web chat functions for non-urgent queries.
Royal Mail also provides support via its mobile app, which includes parcel tracking, delivery alerts, and redelivery scheduling features.
Conclusion
Royal Mail’s services after Christmas follow a well-planned yet adjusted schedule to accommodate national holidays and seasonal demand.
From the suspension of deliveries on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to the gradual resumption of weekend and weekday services, being informed allows for better planning.
By checking local updates and understanding your delivery options, you can manage expectations and minimise delays.
Staying updated through Royal Mail’s official channels ensures a smoother post-Christmas experience for individuals and businesses alike.
FAQs
When will Royal Mail resume parcel deliveries after Christmas 2025?
Parcel deliveries will resume on Saturday, 27 December, with Sunday parcel deliveries available in select areas.
Does Royal Mail deliver on Sunday after Christmas?
Yes, Sunday parcel deliveries are expected on 28 December 2025, where this service is normally provided.
Are Royal Mail Customer Service Points open on 27 December?
Yes, most locations will reopen on 27 December for collections. Check local hours using the Royal Mail website.
Will I get mail on Boxing Day?
No, there are no deliveries or collections on Friday, 26 December 2025 (Boxing Day).
How can I track my Royal Mail parcel during the Christmas period?
You can use the Royal Mail Track & Trace tool online or through their app to monitor your parcel status.
Does Royal Mail have reduced services during Christmas week?
Yes, services are limited on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Normal services gradually resume from 27 December.
Can I expect delays in mail delivery after Christmas?
Yes, delays are possible due to high parcel volumes and post-holiday backlogs. It’s recommended to allow extra time.