To not want DD to go out to a club/nightclub on Christmas Day?

Going to a nightclub on Christmas day after 8pm absolutely fine.

Going at 2pm, not telling you where or who with and not prebooking taxi not on. Though not sure what you can do about it. I would be very frustrated. Likely plans will fall through as sounds very vague.

Looks pretty closed!

I agree.

Her going out wouldn’t bother me - in fact I think this sounds like a really fun Xmas for an 18yo to see her friends and go out.

But there’s a balance and 2pm is a bit too early.

Does she have any siblings or is it just you and her?
I can see why she’d find it a bit boring if there’s no other young people

She is an adult and does not have to justify anything to you whatsoever. I recall at 23 I was half a day late home from my then partner’s (now DH) on Xmas eve and my mum threw a wobbly on the phone, one of many core memories that have contributed to me having her at arms length now. Let her live her adult life in the way that she pleases, it has nothing to do with you.

Perhaps she just doesn't want to share any space with creepy Uncle George, who will try to molest her (but he's family so that's ok).

Erm...google?

A lot of young people haven’t stopped socialising after Covid and I am just starting to see them starting to have fun again so I think it’s great and that she should go.

Good question and one that I suspect we won't see an answer to.

Is there a backstory to this OP, that a) she’s being so secretive and b) you suspect she’s lying about going clubbing and just wants to be elsewhere? Is there somebody visiting over Christmas who she doesn’t get along with? Has Christmas tended to be a lot of stress and arguments between you and her dad / stepdad?

You cant tell an adult what to do, as much as you might like to. You not being okay with it isnt her problem

Tbh OP she is an adult its not really any of your business what she does.

She won’t tell you because I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you’re a rather overbearing parent and always have been and now she’s 18 she’s putting her foot down as an adult.

Say she needs to have her dinner and can go after.
unclench about the taxis, there’s always plenty of Ubers et

What else is going on in your relationship OP? It sounds like she doesn't tell you very much or trust you very much.

But she's 18 now - you have to start trusting her to make her own decisions and to do her own things. You can't coddle her forever.

I doubt a night club would be open and if it is I doubt there would be many people there.

When I was 18 I did go to the local pub on Christmas Day, it was the year my dear aunt died (on Christmas Day) so my parents had gone to be with her and I went to a friends for dinner, followed by the pub. I wanted to be around friends as there was little I could do with the situation at home. After that year I was pretty much allowed to do what I wanted on Christmas Day though I would usually chose to stay home or just visit friends in the evening.

She is an adult at the end of the day but I can see why your annoyed.

Of course nightclubs and bars are open! I used to go out Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day etc- some of the best nights out! Shes 18, surely as long as Shes spent most of the day with family then as an adult she can then do as she wishes.

Parents are walked over by selfish and ungrateful young adults these days. Their desires trump anything else and no moral pressure is put on them to contribute to family life. I bet she'll build in enough time between her lie-in and leaving the house to open her presents!

Who is she going with?

You need to accept that she’s 18 now.

she doesn’t need to provide proof (and you are beyond crazy to be demanding it) or get your permission.

she decides and you need to back the hell off

Most people I know used to go to one On Christmas Eve, so it's effectively Christmas Day as everyone would be there until at least 4am. Don't remember them opening at 8 on Christmas Day, though, and these days there seem to be far fewer nightclubs anyway.
Anyone who is 18 can and should do what they like IMO. If (and yes it is an if) the daughter has a family in a few years, she might as well enjoy this period when she is free and can do whatever she likes, as once you have kids, it's not as easy to put yourself first,

I would worry about this if she didn’t have a solid plan for getting home as taxis will likely be scarce and very expensive. I also wouldn’t be ruining my Christmas by offering lifts. She wants to go she has to have a viable plan of how it’s going to work.

everyone saying she’s an adult, she can do what she likes. I’d say that she is living in OPs house for free and she needs to show a little respect for family and what’s important to them. A fair compromise is that she stays at home until later afternoon/ early evening before going out with friends, as long as there’s a solid plan for getting home.

I feel lucky that this has never been something that either of my young adult dds has ever wanted to do. They love a family Christmas/crazy my side of the family Boxing Day get together.

I wouldn't stop her going.
But I wouldn't be tip toeing about on boxing day if she's expecting to sleep in half the day.