What Stores Are Open on Easter 2025?

Many major retail stores in the United States remain open on Easter Sunday, though with modified holiday hours. If you're searching for what stores are opened on Easter, the answer depends largely on the retailer and your geographic location. National chains like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and grocery stores such as Kroger and Safeway typically operate on reduced schedules. However, department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney often close for the holiday. Always verify specific store hours using the retailer’s official website or local listings, as Easter Sunday operating times can vary significantly even within the same chain.

Easter 2025: Date and Significance

Easter Sunday in 2025 falls on April 20. As one of the most important Christian holidays, it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is observed globally with religious services, family gatherings, and traditional meals. Because Easter is a movable feast—calculated based on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox—its date changes each year. This variability affects not only church calendars but also business operations across retail sectors.

In the U.S., Easter is not a federal holiday, meaning businesses are not legally required to close. Unlike Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, when most stores shut down, Easter sees a mixed approach to operations. While some retailers choose to honor the day with closures, others maintain partial service to meet consumer demand for last-minute groceries, gifts, or holiday essentials.

Major Retailers Open on Easter Sunday 2025

Below is a breakdown of common national retailers and their typical Easter Sunday operating patterns. Note that these reflect general trends from previous years; always confirm with your local branch.

Store	Typical Easter Hours	Notes
Walmart	7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (varies)	Limited Supercenters may close; check store finder.
Target	8:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Most locations open; pharmacy hours differ.
CVS Pharmacy	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Nearly all open; flu shots and prescriptions available.
Walgreens	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Some close; verify via app or website.
Kroger	8:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Grocery and pharmacy services available.
Safeway	8:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Open with holiday hours; deli sections busy.
Publix	8:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Southeast-focused; known for holiday meal prep.
Dollar General	8:00 AM – 9:00 PM	Most open; popular for small last-minute items.
7-Eleven	Open 24/7	Convenience stores usually remain fully operational.
Costco	Closed	Remains closed on Easter Sunday nationwide.
Macy’s	Closed	Department stores typically shut down.
JCPenney	Closed	No Easter Sunday operations.

Why Do Some Stores Stay Open on Easter?

The decision to stay open on Easter Sunday hinges on several factors: customer demand, regional customs, labor costs, and religious observance. Grocery stores and pharmacies see increased foot traffic due to holiday meal preparation and health needs. Families shopping for ham, eggs, desserts, or last-minute decorations create a surge in demand, prompting supermarkets to remain open—even if on shortened hours.

Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens serve patients who need prescriptions refilled over the weekend. Since Easter often coincides with seasonal allergies or ongoing medical treatments, maintaining access is both a public service and a business necessity.

Conversely, department stores and malls tend to close because they don’t experience the same urgent consumer needs. Clothing, home goods, and electronics are less time-sensitive purchases, making closures more feasible without significant revenue loss.

Regional Differences in Store Availability

Geographic location plays a crucial role in determining what stores are opened on Easter. In highly religious regions—such as the American South—more businesses may opt to close out of respect for the holiday. Conversely, urban areas and tourist destinations often keep stores open longer to accommodate visitors and diverse populations.

For example, a Publix in Florida might open early to serve vacationing families, while a similar store in rural Georgia could reduce hours or close entirely. Similarly, West Coast cities like Los Angeles or Seattle generally have higher rates of retail availability on Easter compared to conservative Midwest towns.

International variations also exist. In predominantly Christian countries like Australia and Canada, many stores follow patterns similar to the U.S., with supermarkets open and malls closed. In contrast, countries like Italy or Ireland may see near-total shutdowns due to stronger cultural and legal norms around Sunday rest and religious observance.

How to Confirm Your Local Store’s Easter Hours

To avoid inconvenience, follow these steps to verify whether a specific store will be open on Easter Sunday:

1. Visit the Official Website: Most major retailers publish holiday hours on their “Store Hours” or “Customer Service” pages. For example, go to walmart.com/store-hours and enter your ZIP code.
2. Use Mobile Apps: Apps like Target, CVS, or Kroger allow users to search nearby locations and view real-time holiday schedules.
3. Call Ahead: A quick phone call to your local branch is the most reliable method, especially for smaller chains or independent grocers.
4. Check Google Maps: Search the store name + “Easter hours” directly in Google. Updated holiday hours often appear beneath the business listing.
5. Follow Social Media: Retailers sometimes post temporary schedule changes on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

Remember that even within a single chain, individual franchise owners or managers may set different hours based on local demand or staffing.

Tips for Shopping on Easter Sunday

If you plan to shop on Easter, consider these practical tips:

• Shop Early: Mornings are less crowded, and stock is fresher, especially for baked goods, meats, and floral arrangements.
• Prepare a List: Focus on essentials to minimize time spent in-store during limited hours.
• Expect Crowds at Pharmacies: Many people refill prescriptions before or after church services, so anticipate lines at CVS or Walgreens between 10 AM and 2 PM.
• Look for Last-Minute Deals: Some stores discount Easter candy, decorations, or floral displays late in the day.
• Verify Fuel Availability: Gas stations attached to open convenience stores (like Circle K or 7-Eleven) usually remain operational.

Common Misconceptions About Easter Store Operations

Several myths persist about retail activity on Easter Sunday:

• Myth: All stores close on Easter. Reality: While many do, essential retailers like pharmacies and supermarkets frequently stay open.
• Myth: Big-box stores follow uniform policies. Reality: Even Walmart and Target allow regional flexibility, so neighboring cities may have different hours.
• Myth: Online shopping replaces in-store needs. Reality: Same-day needs for food, medicine, or gifts still drive physical store visits despite e-commerce growth.
• Myth: Employees must work if the store is open. Reality: Most workers receive premium pay or voluntary shift options, and union contracts may restrict mandatory holiday labor.

Alternatives If Stores Are Closed

If your local retailers are closed on Easter, here are alternatives:

• Order Groceries Online: Services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Walmart+ offer delivery on Sundays, including holidays.
• Use Drive-Thru Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens often keep drive-thru windows open even if the main store has reduced access.
• Visit Gas Station Markets: Chains like Sheetz, Wawa, or QT carry basic groceries, drinks, and snacks 24/7.
• Plan Ahead: Stock up on essentials the day before—Saturday is typically the busiest pre-holiday shopping day.

Looking Beyond 2025: Future Easter Dates and Trends

As consumers continue to prioritize convenience and flexibility, the trend toward selective retail availability on Easter is likely to persist. Below are upcoming Easter dates to help with long-term planning:

• 2025: April 20
• 2026: April 5
• 2027: March 28
• 2028: April 16

Retailers may increasingly adopt dynamic scheduling, opening only high-demand locations on Easter while closing underperforming ones. The rise of automation and self-checkout systems may also enable leaner holiday staffing models in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are grocery stores open on Easter Sunday?

Yes, most major grocery chains—including Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Albertsons—are open on Easter Sunday with reduced holiday hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Always check your local store’s schedule online.

Is Walmart open on Easter 2025?

Yes, most Walmart locations will be open on Easter Sunday 2025, usually from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, though hours vary by location. Some Supercenters may close; verify via the Walmart store directory.

Do pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens open on Easter?

Yes, the majority of CVS and Walgreens locations remain open on Easter with holiday hours, commonly 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Drive-thru and prescription services are typically available.

Are malls and department stores open on Easter?

No, most malls, Macy’s, JCPenney, and other department stores are closed on Easter Sunday. This aligns with lower consumer demand for non-essential goods on the holiday.

Can I get same-day delivery on Easter?

Yes, platforms like Instacart, Shipt, and Amazon Fresh often provide Sunday delivery on Easter, depending on your area and retailer partnerships. Schedule deliveries in advance for best availability.