Boxing Day, December 26, is one of the biggest shopping days of the year in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, when many retailers launch their winter sales. Shoppers want to know when doors open on Boxing Day and how the hours change around Christmas and New Year. This A4 template shows both. On a navy background with falling snow, three playful gifts in teal, pink and blue sit above Boxing Day in elegant white italic serif lettering. A red banner across the page announces SALE STARTS 8 AM with the date in gold capitals, and the lower half lists festive opening times from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, with closed days in gold.
What Is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a public holiday in many Commonwealth countries, traditionally a day when employers gave gifts or boxes to staff and tradespeople. Today it is best known for sports fixtures and post-Christmas sales. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so in England and Wales the substitute bank holiday is Monday, December 28. Shops that open on December 26 often have a very busy day.
The Boxing Day Sale Banner
The red banner is the heart of the sign. SALE STARTS 8 AM appears in large white capitals, with SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER below in spaced gold letters. Change the time and date to match your opening. If you do not hold a sale, change the banner to OPEN FROM 10 AM or HAPPY BOXING DAY.
Festive Opening Times
Below the banner, Festive opening times appears in gold italics above six rows: Thursday 24 December, 9 am to 4 pm; Friday 25 December, closed; Saturday 26 December, 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday 27 December, 10 am to 4 pm; Thursday 31 December, 9 am to 5 pm; and Friday 1 January, closed. The British date order and lowercase am and pm suit UK audiences.
Editing the Opening Times
Click any day or time to change it. Each row has a dotted divider underneath, and you can add rows by duplicating an existing pair of text boxes. Keep the rows aligned, with days on the left and times on the right.
The Gift Artwork
The three gifts are cheerful illustrations in teal, pink, and blue. They are editable, so you can resize or move them, or replace them with shopping bags or sale tags from the Elements panel. The falling snow behind the gifts is a group of small dots that can be deleted.
Boxing Day Retail Tips
Boxing Day crowds can be large, so plan for queues, extra staff and clear signage for returns and exchanges. Some shops open earlier for loyalty members. If you limit entry, mention it on your social posts. A well-organised Boxing Day sets the tone for a successful sale season.
Returns and Exchanges After Christmas
Many customers visit on Boxing Day to return or exchange gifts. Consider adding a line to the sign or a separate notice explaining your returns policy, such as gift receipts accepted until January 31. Clear policies reduce disagreements at the till.
Using the Sign in Other Countries
In Australia and New Zealand, Boxing Day falls in summer and sales are hugely popular. In Canada, Boxing Day sales rival Black Friday. Update the dates, opening times, and greeting to suit local customs, and change the snow to summer stickers for southern hemisphere stores.
Printing the Boxing Day Sign on A4
The sign is set to A4 paper, 210 x 297 mm. Export a PDF and print it at full size. Because the background is navy, a laser printer or print shop gives the best finish. For a larger window poster, print at A3.
Sharing Boxing Day Hours Online
Post the sign on Facebook, Instagram and your website before Christmas, so shoppers can plan their Boxing Day trip. Update your Google Business Profile with special hours for December 26 and the substitute bank holiday.
Boxing Day Colour Options
Navy, red and gold are festive and classic. To match your brand, change the background and banner colours, keeping strong contrast for the sale message. A black and gold version works well for luxury retailers.
Boxing Day for Restaurants and Pubs
Restaurants and pubs also change their hours on Boxing Day, and many host football watching or family meals. Change the banner to OPEN FOR BOXING DAY LUNCH and list your food service times in the rows below.
Boxing Day Sports and Events
In the UK and Ireland, Boxing Day is famous for football matches, horse racing and traditional hunts or walks. Venues near stadiums and racecourses often see unusual crowds. If your business is near a sports ground, plan for busy periods before and after matches and mention match day hours on the sign.
Staff Wellbeing on Boxing Day
Retail staff often work long hours before Christmas and then face a busy Boxing Day. Consider shorter shifts, extra breaks and a team meal to thank staff for working on a public holiday. A rested team handles crowds with more patience.
Boxing Day Sign Questions
Can I change the sale time?
Yes. Click the banner text and type your opening time.
Can I print it on US Letter?
Yes, with fit to page.
Can I remove the sale banner?
Yes. Delete the banner and its text, and move the opening times up.
Online Boxing Day Sales
Many retailers launch online sales on Christmas Day evening and in-store sales on Boxing Day morning. If your website sale starts earlier, add a line to the sign such as online sale starts Christmas Day at 6 pm. Customers who cannot visit in person will still find your offers.
Boxing Day Gift Card Shoppers
Many Boxing Day shoppers arrive with gift cards received at Christmas. A small note welcoming gift card holders at the till turns a busy day into a friendly one.
Get Ready for the Boxing Day Rush
Update your sale time and festive hours, then print the sign for your window. A clear, festive Boxing Day notice helps shoppers plan their visit and gets your sale off to a strong start.
