The period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve brings, every year, major changes to the operating hours of Bucharest’s large shopping centers. While most malls close their doors on January 1 or operate with extremely reduced schedules, there is a single exception in the Capital. It is AFI Palace Cotroceni, which will be open on the first day of 2026 and will also provide access to a hypermarket operating on the same schedule.

For Bucharest residents who need to make urgent purchases or who choose to go out for a walk after New Year’s Eve, AFI Cotroceni remains the only mall-type option open on January 1. This information is particularly relevant given that all other major shopping centers in the city will be completely closed.

AFI Cotroceni, the only mall open on New Year’s Day

AFI Palace Cotroceni will be the only mall in Bucharest operating on January 1, 2026. The announced schedule for this day is from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, during a period when most shopping centers choose to remain fully closed.

This decision continues a strategy also applied during the Christmas period, when AFI Cotroceni was among the few malls that remained open or operated with adjusted holiday hours. Representatives of the shopping center have publicly stated that they aim to offer an alternative for customers who need shopping and leisure services even on public holidays.

In addition to the stores in the shopping gallery, the mall’s opening also includes the operation of food court areas and entertainment facilities, within the schedule set for January 1.

The complete AFI Palace Cotroceni schedule during the New Year period

For the interval between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, AFI Palace Cotroceni has published a clear schedule so that visitors know exactly when they can access the shopping center.

The schedule is as follows:

• December 31, 2025: open between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM
• January 1, 2026: open between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM
• January 2, 2026: normal schedule, between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM

This timetable places AFI Cotroceni in a unique position in Bucharest, as it is the only mall accessible on the first day of the new year. For those who quickly resume their activities after New Year’s Eve, the reopening on January 2 comes with a full schedule, similar to a regular day.

Hypermarket open on January 1, inside the mall

Another important detail for Bucharest residents is the fact that the Auchan AFI Cotroceni hypermarket, located on the ground floor of the shopping center, will be open on January 1, 2026, during the same hours, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

This makes AFI Cotroceni the only mall-type location in Bucharest where grocery shopping can be done on the first day of the year. In a context where most supermarkets and hypermarkets in the city are closed on January 1, Auchan’s opening represents a practical option for those who need basic products or unplanned purchases.

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What happens to the other malls in Bucharest

In contrast to AFI Cotroceni’s schedule, the other major shopping centers in the Capital will be closed on January 1, 2026. These include ParkLake Shopping Center, București Mall, Plaza România, Băneasa Shopping City, Mega Mall, Promenada Mall, and Sun Plaza.

In most cases, stores, food court areas, and entertainment spaces will not operate at all on January 1. Some isolated exceptions may occur, such as cinemas setting a separate schedule, but the main shopping galleries will remain closed.

Limited New Year’s shopping, with a single exception

As a result, New Year’s Day shopping in Bucharest will be extremely limited in 2026. For those who want to leave home on January 1, whether for shopping or relaxation, AFI Palace Cotroceni remains the only mall-type option open in the Capital.

This situation confirms a trend from recent years, in which this shopping center has chosen to operate even on important public holidays, becoming a constant alternative for Bucharest residents who remain in the city between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.