Pharmacy opening times over the festive period

As we head into the festive season, it is important to know which local pharmacies will be open if you or someone you care for needs advice or medicines during Christmas and New Year. 

The local organisation in charge of arrangements, the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, has now confirmed pharmacy opening hours for the 2025 to 2026 holiday period.

When pharmacies are open over the festive period

Pharmacy opening hours will differ across the Humber and North Yorkshire on the following bank holidays:

• Thursday 25 December 2025 (Christmas Day).
• Friday 26 December 2025 (Boxing Day).
• Thursday 1 January 2026 (New Year’s Day)

Opening times vary between areas including Hambleton, Richmondshire, Whitby, Scarborough, Ryedale, Harrogate, rural areas and York.

Here are a few examples of pharmacies that will be open on Christmas Day:

• Boots Pharmacy, Market Place in Richmond will be open from 10am to 12pm
• Day Lewis Pharmacy, Malpas Road in Northallerton will be open from 12pm to 2pm
• Boots Pharmacy, Cambridge Street in Harrogate will be open from 1pm to 3pm
• Swan Pharmacy in Selby will be open from 12pm to 2pm
• Aston Chemists on Gladstone Road in Scarborough will be open from 12pm to 2pm

These are only examples. A full timetable is available in the official rota prepared by the local NHS.

If you are planning to visit a pharmacy, you may want to ring ahead to check their opening times, especially if you are travelling or using a different pharmacy than usual. Opening times can change at short notice.

To see the full list of pharmacy opening times across North Yorkshire, please check the rota provided by Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. This contains the most up to date information provided to Healthwatch in December 2025.

Pharmacies' Christmas and New Year rota

Other services available over the holidays

GP out of hours centres

If you need urgent health advice and your GP practice is closed, GP out of hours centres are open across during evenings, weekends and bank holidays. 

Locations include Whitby Hospital, Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, Scarborough Hospital, York Hospital.

These centres do not have set walk in opening times. Instead, you can reach them by calling 111 (known as the NHS 111 service) who will advise you and arrange an appointment if one is needed.

Centres that support North Yorkshire include:

Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby

• Whitby Hospital, Whitby
• Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
• Harewood Medical Practice, Catterick Garrison

Scarborough and Ryedale

• Scarborough Hospital
• Malton Hospital

York

• York Hospital
• Selby War Memorial Hospital
• Malton Hospital

Harrogate

• Harrogate District Hospital
• Ripon Community Hospital

If you need help over the holidays and your GP practice is closed, 111 for advice. This is known as the NHS 111 service.

Palliative care pharmacies

Some pharmacies in North Yorkshire are commissioned to hold specialist palliative care medicines. These medicines are often needed at short notice to help manage symptoms such as pain, sickness or breathlessness for people who receive palliative or end of life support.

These pharmacies keep an agreed stock so that people can get timely access during urgent or unexpected situations. They can also offer guidance to patients, carers and health professionals when needed.

This helps reduce delays and supports people to remain as comfortable as possible, especially during evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First allows people to receive advice and treatment for seven common conditions without needing to see a GP first. These include earache, sore throat, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and urinary tract infections for women under 65.

Community pharmacies can provide treatment following an assessment and supply appropriate medicines when needed. This can help people get support more quickly and reduces pressure on GP practices and urgent care services.

Urgent medicines and NHS 111

If you run out of your regular medicines when your GP practice is closed, NHS 111 can help. They will talk through your situation and advise you on the safest next steps. If an urgent supply of medication is needed, NHS 111 can arrange this through an appropriate service, such as an out of hours provider or a participating pharmacy.

This can help prevent gaps in treatment and reduce the need to travel unnecessarily.
Call 999 only in a life threatening emergency.

Repeat prescriptions

If you take regular medicines, it is a good idea to order your repeat prescription early before the holidays. GP practices and pharmacies often experience higher demand in December, and services may have reduced opening hours over Christmas and New Year. Ordering in advance helps make sure you have what you need and reduces the risk of delays.

If you use an online ordering system or the NHS App, you may find it helpful to request your medication slightly earlier than usual at this time of year.

Winter health advice

Cold weather can affect health, especially for older people, young children and those with long term conditions. The NHS website has guidance on keeping well in winter, including tips on staying warm at home, preventing common illnesses and knowing when to seek help.

If you are unsure where to go for advice, or if you have difficulty opening the pharmacy rota, NHS 111 can guide you to the right service. They can also help if you are worried about symptoms or are not sure whether you need medical attention.