Shops Open Easter Sunday 2026: Full Supermarket Hours

There’s something about a bank holiday weekend that makes everyone check the fridge twice — then scramble for opening hours. Easter Sunday 2026 lands on April 20, and whether you’re in Dublin or Cardiff, knowing which supermarkets are actually open requires navigating a patchwork of laws and chain policies — this guide breaks down what’s open, what’s closed, and where to find confirmed times for Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Supervalu, and more.

Major supermarket chains covered: 8 ·
Easter Sunday 2026 date: April 20 ·
Lidl Easter Sunday opening: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ·
Tesco typical Sunday hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM ·
Shops closed in England & Wales on Easter Sunday: Most large stores

Six key facts about Easter Sunday opening rules and chain hours, one pattern: the biggest difference isn’t between supermarkets — it’s between countries.

Are shops open on Easter Sunday?

General opening status across Ireland and UK

The short answer: it depends on where you live. In England and Wales, large shops (over 280 sq m / 3,000 sq ft) are prohibited from opening on Easter Sunday under Sunday trading law, according to the GOV.UK official guidance for retailers. The same restriction applies on Christmas Day. Shops that are open on a Sunday can only trade for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm — but on Easter Sunday, that window shuts entirely for big stores.

Exceptions for small vs large stores

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) advice on trading hours confirms that the ban applies to stores over 3,000 sq ft. Smaller shops — including SPAR, Londis, Co-op local stores, and off-licences under that size — may open. Convenience stores often choose to open on Easter Sunday to serve customers who need last-minute groceries.

The implication: if you live in England or Wales and need a big weekly shop, you’ll have to do it on Saturday or Monday. In Ireland and Scotland, the picture is very different.

Which Supermarkets Are Open Over Easter Weekend? Full List 2026

Lidl opening hours for Easter weekend

Lidl Ireland has published its official Easter 2026 schedule. According to the chain’s Easter opening hours page, Lidl will open from 08:00 to 22:00 on Good Friday (April 17), 08:00 to 22:00 on Holy Saturday (April 18), 09:00 to 18:00 on Easter Sunday (April 20), and 09:00 to 21:00 on Easter Monday (April 21).

Aldi opening hours

Aldi Ireland typically mirrors Lidl’s Sunday pattern. While the chain has not yet published 2026-specific times as of early writing, previous years show Aldi opens 09:00–18:00 on Easter Sunday across its Irish stores. In the UK, all large Aldi stores are closed on Easter Sunday due to the legal restriction.

Tesco opening hours

Tesco in Ireland generally operates 07:00–22:00 on Sundays, and Easter Sunday is no exception — though some stores may close earlier. A social media post from Irish Mirror noted major chains adjusting hours, with Easter Sunday opening times around 8am to 9pm for some stores. Tesco UK large stores, however, are closed by law.

Dunnes Stores opening hours

Dunnes Stores are typically open on Easter Sunday in the Republic of Ireland, but with reduced hours — often 09:00–19:00. The chain posts location-specific times online; customers should check individual store pages for confirmed schedules.

Supervalu opening hours

Supervalu stores in Ireland are generally open on Easter Sunday. Hours vary by franchise location, but many open 08:00–20:00. A RSVP Magazine Facebook roundup listed Supervalu among the chains with adjusted Easter Sunday hours.

Other chains (Waitrose, etc.)

Waitrose large stores in the UK are closed on Easter Sunday. Little Waitrose convenience outlets may open where they fall under the size threshold. Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Easter opening guide confirms that smaller convenience stores can legally trade on Easter Sunday.

Eight chains, one pattern: the biggest split is between Ireland (open, reduced hours) and England/Wales (closed for large stores). The trade-off for Irish shoppers is knowing that not all stores follow the same schedule — franchise-run Supervalu and Dunnes may vary.

Five major chains, one comparison: Ireland vs UK Easter Sunday hours side-by-side.

Is Dunnes store open tomorrow Easter Sunday?

Dunnes Stores Easter operating schedule

Dunnes Stores locations in the Republic of Ireland typically open on Easter Sunday, but with adjusted hours — usually 09:00–19:00 instead of the typical Monday–Saturday 08:00–21:00. Some shopping centres with Dunnes anchors may close earlier. Customers should note that not all branches follow the same schedule; it’s wise to check the Dunnes Stores official website for location-specific times.

How to find local Dunnes hours

The Mill Shopping Centre and other retail parks post Easter weekend hours online. Social media discussions (Facebook group posts) have flagged that some stores close as early as 4pm on Easter Sunday, though this is not confirmed across all locations. For the most reliable information, use the store locator on the Dunnes website and call ahead.

What this means: Dunnes is generally a safe bet for Easter Sunday shopping in Ireland, but the variance between branches means you can’t assume uniform hours. The catch: if your local store closes early, you may need a backup plan.

What stores are allowed to open on Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday trading laws in England and Wales

The UK government’s trading hours for retailers guidance explicitly states that large shops must close on Easter Sunday. This is enforced at the local level. Tendring District Council’s Sunday trading page confirms that large shops are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday, and opening times must be displayed both inside and outside the store. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines and enforcement action.

Easter Sunday trading in Scotland

Scotland has no equivalent restriction. Shops can open freely on Easter Sunday, though many choose reduced hours. Thinkmoney’s 2026 Easter opening guide notes that Northern Ireland is also treated as open as normal — but that conflicts with Reddit discussions claiming a 280 sq m rule exists in Northern Ireland. The legal situation in Northern Ireland may be different; consumers should check locally.

Easter Sunday trading in Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, there is no general ban on Sunday trading. Most supermarkets open with reduced hours on Easter Sunday. The Lidl Ireland official page is the clearest example of a chain voluntarily adopting reduced Easter Sunday hours. The pattern across major chains is similar.

Easter Sunday trading in Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch City Council publishes Easter Sunday trading hours for local shops. While specific 2026 hours were not available at the time of writing, previous years show most large supermarkets (Countdown, New World) open with restricted hours, and many smaller retailers remain closed.

Four jurisdictions, one pattern: the legal baseline determines everything. If you’re in England or Wales, large supermarkets are off-limits. In Ireland and Scotland, the choice is up to the retailer — and most choose to open, albeit with shorter hours.

Is Supervalu open on Easter Sunday?

Supervalu Easter Sunday opening hours

Supervalu — a major food shop chain in Ireland operated by Musgrave Group — is generally open on Easter Sunday. The most common hours are 08:00–20:00, but some franchise-run stores may close earlier or open later. A RSVP Magazine social roundup listed Supervalu among the chains with adjusted Easter Sunday hours.

Regional variations for Supervalu stores

Because Supervalu stores are individually owned and operated, hours can vary significantly between locations. A store in Dublin city centre may stay open until 8pm while a rural outlet might close at 5pm. The chain’s Supervalu official website provides a store locator with individual opening times, including public holiday adjustments.

The implication: Supervalu is a reliable option for Easter Sunday shopping in Ireland, but the franchise model means you can’t assume uniform hours. Check your local store before heading out.

The pattern: trading restrictions tighten sharply on Easter Sunday, then relax on Easter Monday. Shoppers should note that the biggest disruption is on Sunday itself.

The distinction matters: confirmed facts are backed by official sources, while unclear items require local verification.

“Easter Opening Hours 2026: Easter Sunday = 09:00 – 18:00.”

— Lidl Ireland, official Easter hours page

“All the major supermarkets — including Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Supervalu — have updated their opening hours over the Easter weekend.”

— RSVP Magazine, social media roundup

“Major supermarket chains have announced changes to their opening hours over the Easter weekend… Easter Sunday opening times of 8am to 9pm for some stores.”

— Irish Mirror, social media post

“I popped into town (Galway) today around 11am and many shops were closed…”

— Reddit user, r/AskIreland

For shoppers across the UK and Ireland, the Easter Sunday 2026 landscape is a story of two systems. In England and Wales, the law is clear: large supermarkets stay shut. In Ireland and Scotland, the choice is left to retailers — and most choose to open, though with shorter hours. For a family in Dublin needing a full weekly shop, the safest bet is to visit before 6pm at Lidl or Aldi, or check local Dunnes and Supervalu hours online. For shoppers in London or Manchester, the message is simpler: plan your big shop for Saturday, or rely on your nearest convenience store.