The findings indicate hospitality trading remains strong beyond December, with 31 January ranking ahead of several dates during the traditional Christmas rush. Square suggests the late-January spike could reflect Brits turning their backs on Dry January.
Square’s data, which tracked transactions between 1 November 2025 and 31 January 2026, found that the busiest day was Saturday 13 December, when transactions were up 67% against the period’s daily average. Saturday 8 November ranked second, with a 65% increase.
The first Saturday in December saw transactions rise by 59%, while the first, third and last Saturday in November each recorded increases of 57%.
Eleven of the 12 busiest trading days fell on Saturdays, with only Friday 28 November, making the list, at 39% above the average, with Square suggesting the date could be a popular evening for work Christmas parties.
“The trading peak now stretches well beyond the traditional December rush,” says Robert White, executive director at Square UK.
“Every Saturday in November makes an appearance in the top 12 trading days of the three-month festive period.
“This means operators have about 4 weeks to get fully prepped with seasonal menus, drinks, ingredients and staff rotas to make the most of the period.”