Which Restaurants Will Be Open or Closed on Easter 2025

What’s open? What’s closed? Find out which restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers will be operating Easter 2025, plus tips for planning your holiday Sunday.

Easter 2025 Holiday Hours: Who’s Open, Who’s Taking the Day Off?

Easter Sunday 2025 — April 20th — lands right in the heart of spring, a time when families gather, brunch tables groan under the weight of baked ham, and egg hunts scatter colour across backyards. But honestly, nothing disrupts that cosy, pastel-tinted vibe faster than realising you’ve forgotten the dinner rolls… or the chocolate bunnies… or, heaven forbid, the eggs for dyeing.

You know what? Planning ahead can feel like an Olympic sport. So here’s your cheat sheet for Easter openings and closings. Whether you crave brunch out, need last-minute groceries, or want to treat your kids to an impromptu toy run, we’ve got answers. Let’s stroll through what’s open — and what’s taking a well-deserved holiday break.

Restaurants Open Easter Sunday 2025: Where to Grab a Bite

Maybe cooking isn’t on the menu this year. Or maybe you just want to gather somewhere with bottomless coffee and let someone else worry about the dirty dishes. Good news: a handful of national chains are keeping their doors open on Easter Sunday. Still, hours can be quirky—so call your local spot before you show up hungry (because, honestly, “closed” signs don’t serve pancakes).

• Denny’s: Open 24/7 in most locations. Need pancakes at 9pm? You’re golden.
• IHOP: Most outposts will have regular hours — prime territory for syrup lovers.
• Starbucks: You can still snag that caffeine fix, but hours might shrink, especially in less busy neighbourhoods.
• McDonald’s: Most golden arches operate normal Sunday hours, but double-check if your local franchise takes the holiday off.
• Waffle House: Serving up all-day breakfast for the early risers and the late brunchers alike — as always, 24/7/365.
• Perkins, Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, and Applebee’s: Generally open, but with holiday hours—so call ahead.

Many local restaurants and small-town spots close up shop to spend time with family, so don’t be caught hungry. Even some chains may be operating on “holiday hours,” meaning an early close or later opening. Best trick? Google your nearest location or check their mobile app — those tend to be more up-to-date than dusty Facebook pages or the classic taped-on-the-door note.

Grocery Stores Open Easter 2025: Can You Make That Last-Minute Run?

Picture this… Your famous deviled eggs are waiting, but you’re out of mayo. Or maybe Cousin Sarah just texted asking if you have gluten-free snacks. Life happens, folks. So which grocery stores will bail you out on Easter 2025?

• Walmart: Most stores open regular Sunday hours — a godsend for last-minute planners.
• Kroger & Family of Stores (Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers): Usually open, but some may shorten hours for the holiday.
• Whole Foods: Open in many places, often with a holiday schedule. Check your neighbourhood store to avoid a wasted trip.
• Safeway & Albertsons: Open in most markets—though local management might adjust closing times.
• Meijer, Giant, Wegmans: Most locations keep the lights on, but holiday schedules can vary.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Some chains—especially those with deep religious ties or a commitment to employee holidays—will be closed. If you’re near a Publix, Aldi, or Costco, you’ll want to stock up ahead of Sunday. And, for those in the Northeast, Trader Joe’s stores never open on Easter. Even if you’re a seasoned shopper, it’s easy to forget these store policies in the rush to snag that last bag of jelly beans.

Retail Stores Closed or Open Easter 2025: Shop or Not?

Alright, let’s talk retail therapy—Easter edition. Maybe you’ve decided your living room is just missing that spring wreath, or the kids suddenly ask for sidewalk chalk. Which retailers are banking on post-church browsing, and which ones are dark until Monday?

• Target: Closed all day Sunday. Take the hint: snag those Easter baskets early.
• Walmart: Repeats on this list for a reason: doors stay open, even for supercenters.
• CVS & Walgreens: For the truly desperate—yes, the “I forgot the ham and have a cold” crowd—main pharmacy stores will be open, sometimes with limited hours.
• Kohl’s, Macy’s, JCPenney: Nearly all department stores close for the holiday—plan that spring wardrobe refresh on Saturday.
• Home Depot & Lowe’s: Both home improvement giants will stay closed. That deck project? It can wait.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but mall stores and most boutiques won’t open their doors, either. Shopping centres go quiet—though, let’s be honest, it’s kind of nice to stroll the neighbourhood or check out a churchyard flower sale instead of wrestling for parking at the outlets. Easter’s as much about slowing down as it is about chocolate, after all.

Pharmacies and Gas Stations: Are Essentials Available?

If you’re running low on allergy meds, nappies, or maybe you just need to refuel before heading to Grandma’s, here’s a little relief. Most major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens keep doors open (though the pharmacy counter itself might be closed). Gas stations and convenience stores — the unsung heroes of every road trip and holiday — will generally operate as usual. Kind of reassuring, right?

Why Are Some Stores Closed on Easter? Setting the Holiday Mood

Ever wonder why, with the exception of Walmart and a few others, so many stores go quiet on Easter? Partly, it comes down to history and tradition. Easter, while not a federal holiday, holds deep religious significance for millions, and that’s reflected in community patterns — from morning sunrise services to the habitual Sunday family meal.

Plus, many companies now put a big focus on letting employees spend holidays with loved ones. That might sound corny, but for the folks who normally work weekends, an extra day off can feel like a windfall. And let’s not gloss over the retail fatigue many workers feel by Easter, after the holiday rush and just before the summer sales heat up.

Curious about more about holiday closures? Sometimes, even the automated “store hours” voice can’t keep up with the whims of local management. Neighbourhoods with tight-knit communities or areas with large religious populations are more likely to see widespread holiday shutdowns, especially among independent stores and family-run spots.

Planning Tips for a Smoother Easter Sunday

Let’s be real — nobody wants to make a mad dash for groceries in bunny pyjamas. Here are a few practical (though sometimes overlooked) tricks to save yourself from Easter stress:

• Stock up on essentials by Friday. This way, you’re not stressing Saturday night.
• Double-check store hours online. Even hours printed on receipts aren’t always accurate; apps are your friend.
• Consider convenience stores for small needs. Milk, bread, or snacks? The local corner shop probably has your back.
• Don’t forget local bakeries and delis. Sometimes, small operators open for a few hours just for holiday customers — and their hot-cross buns are unbeatable.

And hey — if you do forget something, maybe that’s just the universe’s way of saying it’s time for a new family tradition. Frozen pizza Easter brunch, anyone?

Easter Sunday 2025: The Day in a Nutshell

Let’s recap. Easter 2025 falls on Sunday, April 20. Most big national restaurants and select grocery chains—like Walmart and Kroger—will be open (with a few caveats). But if you’re a Target enthusiast, a Home Depot regular, or an Aldi devotee, you’ll want to plan ahead; they’ll be shuttered for the day. Pharmacies and gas stations generally keep hours, but department stores and malls go quiet.

And, as with all things holiday-related, check your local store’s app or website (or, for old-school folks, pick up the phone) before venturing out. Hours shift, and sometimes the best-laid plans go sideways. Instead of fretting, maybe revel in the slower pace—after all, isn’t that what spring is about? Here’s hoping your Easter is filled with sweetness, sunshine, and not a single last-minute grocery run.

Want more holiday hours? Check out our full Easter 2025 openings guide here for even more details on specific locations and updates as the day draws near.

Happy Easter, and good luck—may your baskets be full and your errands few!