I know how frustrating it is to arrive at a supermarket over Easter only to find the shutters down. If you are planning a family lunch, picking up a last-minute Easter egg or simply topping up essentials, supermarket Easter opening times will look different across the four-day bank holiday weekend in 2026.
The short answer is that most supermarkets will stay open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, close on Easter Sunday in England and Wales, then reopen with shorter hours on Easter Monday.
Before you head out, here are the key points to remember:
- Most large supermarkets close on Easter Sunday
- Scotland usually follows different opening rules
- Convenience stores often remain open throughout the weekend
- Easter Monday hours are shorter than normal
- Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and Asda all have different Easter schedules
Why Do UK Supermarkets Change Their Opening Times at Easter?
Every Easter weekend, supermarkets across the UK adjust their trading hours to reflect the bank holidays and Sunday trading laws. Good Friday and Easter Monday are official bank holidays, while Easter Sunday brings additional legal restrictions for larger stores in England and Wales.
Most major supermarkets still open across the four-day weekend, but not always for their usual hours. You will often find earlier closing times on Good Friday and Easter Monday, while Easter Sunday sees widespread closures.
The biggest reason for this is the law covering large shops over 280 square metres. These stores must close on Easter Sunday in England and Wales. Scotland does not follow the same rule, which is why many supermarkets north of the border remain open as normal.
According to a spokesperson for the British Retail Consortium:
“Easter Sunday remains one of the few days when large retailers in England and Wales are legally required to close, which is why customers should plan ahead.”
That means your local Tesco Extra, Asda Superstore or large Sainsbury’s branch may be shut, while smaller convenience shops nearby remain open.
Are Any Supermarkets Open on Easter Sunday 2026?
Although many larger supermarkets close, Easter Sunday is not a complete shopping blackout. Smaller branches, convenience stores and some local chains often stay open, especially in busy towns, city centres and petrol stations.
If you need bread, milk, snacks or ingredients for Easter lunch, you still have several options available:
- Tesco Express stores usually remain open
- Sainsbury’s Local branches may trade as normal
- Co-op convenience stores often continue operating
- Little Waitrose shops can stay open in selected locations
- Morrisons Daily and M&S Simply Food petrol station stores may also open
Stores in Scotland are another exception. Many Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl and Sainsbury’s branches in Scotland continue trading on Easter Sunday because the same restrictions do not apply.
A retail operations manager at Tesco said:
“We advise customers to check their local branch online before travelling, as Easter Sunday opening times can differ significantly between large stores and Express branches.”
For many shoppers, that quick online check can save a wasted journey.
Real Shopper Example:
Sarah, from Birmingham, said she assumed her nearest Tesco Extra would be open on Easter Sunday last year.
“I drove over at about 10am for vegetables and dessert, but the car park was empty. I ended up finding a Tesco Express nearby, which luckily was open until the evening.”
Her experience is a reminder that smaller branches are often your best option on Easter Sunday.
How Can You Avoid Getting Caught Out by Easter Weekend Store Closures?
The simplest way to avoid disappointment is to shop earlier in the weekend. Good Friday and Easter Saturday are usually the busiest supermarket days of the Easter period because many people know stores will close or shorten their hours later.
To stay ahead of the rush:
- Do your main food shop by Saturday afternoon
- Check your local branch through the supermarket website or app
- Use convenience stores only for smaller, last-minute items
- Allow extra time for queues and busy car parks
It is also worth remembering that shopping centre stores often close earlier than standalone branches. Supermarkets located inside retail parks, train stations or airports may have completely different opening times.
Which Supermarkets Are Open on Easter 2026?
Most UK supermarkets will stay open throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend, but opening times will change depending on the day and the type of store.
Large supermarkets in England and Wales are expected to close on Easter Sunday, while convenience stores and Scottish branches often remain open.
Here is a breakdown of the expected Easter 2026 opening times for the UK’s biggest supermarket chains.
1. Tesco Easter Opening Times 2026
Tesco will operate different hours depending on whether you visit a Tesco Superstore, Tesco Extra or Tesco Express branch. Larger stores in England, Wales and the Isle of Man will mostly follow reduced Easter trading hours, while Scottish branches are expected to stay open as normal.
- Good Friday: 6 am–10 pm in England, Wales and the Isle of Man
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Sunday: Closed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; open as normal in Scotland
- Tesco Express: Most standard Express stores expected to remain open, including Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday: 8 am–6 pm in England, Wales and the Isle of Man; 8 am–8 pm in Northern Ireland
2. Sainsbury’s Easter Opening Times 2026
Most larger Sainsbury’s supermarkets are expected to stay open across Good Friday and Easter Saturday, with reduced hours returning on Easter Monday. Convenience stores and Scottish branches will have more flexibility.
- Good Friday: 7 am–11 pm
- Easter Saturday: 7 am–11 pm
- Easter Sunday: Closed in England and Wales; open as normal in Scotland
- Sainsbury’s Local: Many branches expected to stay open throughout the weekend
- Easter Monday: 8 am–8 pm
Because Sainsbury’s often operates branches in city centres and shopping centres, some stores may close earlier than the times above.
3. Asda Easter Opening Times 2026
Asda has confirmed that most larger stores will remain open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday before closing on Easter Sunday.
- Good Friday: 7 am–10 pm
- Easter Saturday: 7 am–10 pm
- Easter Sunday: Closed
- Easter Monday: 8 am–10 pm
Smaller Asda Express branches may continue trading on Easter Sunday, depending on the location.
4. Aldi Easter Opening Times 2026
Aldi usually keeps things simple with the same opening times across most of the UK. The supermarket will remain open across Good Friday and Easter Saturday before shutting for Easter Sunday.
- Good Friday: 8 am–9 pm
- Easter Saturday: 8 am–9 pm
- Easter Sunday: Closed
- Easter Monday: 8 am–8 pm
Although Aldi generally follows a national schedule, some local stores may still have slight variations.
5. Lidl Easter Opening Times 2026
Lidl stores in England and Wales are expected to follow similar Easter hours to Aldi, while Scottish branches may remain open on Easter Sunday.
- Good Friday: 8 am–9 pm in most locations
- Easter Saturday: 8 am–9 pm
- Easter Sunday: Closed in England and Wales; open as normal in Scotland
- Easter Monday: Opening times vary by branch
Lidl advises customers to check the online store finder before travelling, particularly for Easter Monday.
6. Morrisons Easter Opening Times 2026
Most Morrisons supermarkets will continue trading over the Easter weekend, although larger stores in England and Wales will close on Easter Sunday.
- Good Friday: 7 am–10 pm
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Sunday: Closed in England and Wales; open as normal in Scotland
- Morrisons Daily: Many convenience branches expected to stay open on Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday: 7 am–8 pm
David, a shopper from Leeds, said:
“We forgot cream for dessert and thought we were stuck. Luckily the Morrisons Daily round the corner was still open until late afternoon.”
7. Waitrose Easter Opening Times 2026
Waitrose often reduces its hours rather than fully changing its schedule. Many branches are expected to open for shorter periods on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Good Friday: Usually around 8 am–8 pm
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Sunday: Closed, although some Little Waitrose branches may open
- Easter Monday: Usually around 8 am–8 pm
Because many Waitrose stores are located in railway stations and shopping centres, local opening times may differ.
8. Co-op Easter Opening Times 2026
Co-op remains one of the most reliable options over Easter because most of its stores are smaller convenience branches.
- Good Friday: Around 7 am–10 pm
- Easter Saturday: Around 7 am–10 pm
- Easter Sunday: Many branches expected to remain open
- Easter Monday: Around 7 am–10 pm
As Co-op stores are often exempt from Easter Sunday trading restrictions, they are likely to be open when larger supermarkets are closed.
9. Iceland Easter Opening Times 2026
Iceland is expected to keep normal opening times across much of the Easter weekend, apart from Easter Sunday in England and Wales.
- Good Friday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Sunday: Closed in England and Wales; open in Scotland
- Easter Monday: Normal trading hours
Shopping centre branches may have shorter hours than standalone Iceland stores.
10. Marks & Spencer Easter Opening Times 2026
Marks & Spencer stores are expected to trade with slightly reduced hours over Easter, particularly on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Good Friday: Around 8 am–8 pm
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours
- Easter Sunday: Most larger stores are closed
- M&S Simply Food: Selected branches at petrol stations and transport hubs may stay open
- Easter Monday: Around 8 am–8 pm
A Marks & Spencer spokesperson said:
“Opening times vary by store location over Easter, particularly for branches inside retail centres, so customers should use the online store finder before visiting.”
Before setting off, it is always worth checking your nearest branch online. Even though these are the expected national Easter opening times, supermarkets can still adjust hours depending on the location, store size and local trading rules.
What Are the Easter Sunday Trading Laws for UK Supermarkets?
The reason most large supermarkets close on Easter Sunday comes down to trading laws in England and Wales. Under these rules, shops larger than 280 square metres cannot open on Easter Sunday.
This affects most major supermarkets, department stores and retail chains. Smaller convenience stores are exempt, which is why Tesco Express, Co-op and Sainsbury’s Local often continue trading.
| Area | Large Supermarkets on Easter Sunday | Convenience Stores |
| England | Closed | Usually Open |
| Wales | Closed | Usually Open |
| Scotland | Usually Open | Open |
| Northern Ireland | Many Large Stores Closed | Usually Open |
These laws are designed to give retail workers a day off and to reduce trading pressures during the Easter holiday.
Which Convenience Stores and Small Branches Stay Open Over Easter?
If you only need a few items, convenience stores are often the safest option during the Easter bank holiday weekend. Smaller stores typically remain open for much longer and are less affected by holiday restrictions.
The most reliable options include:
- Tesco Express
- Sainsbury’s Local
- Co-op convenience stores
- Little Waitrose
- Morrisons Daily
- M&S Simply Food at petrol stations
Many of these stores remain open even on Easter Sunday, although exact hours still depend on location.
How Do Easter Opening Times Differ Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
The biggest regional difference is Scotland. Supermarkets there often stay open on Easter Sunday, while stores in England and Wales must close if they are large enough to fall under the Sunday trading rules.
Northern Ireland sits somewhere in between. Some stores remain open with reduced hours, while others follow similar restrictions to England and Wales.
| Supermarket | England & Wales Easter Sunday | Scotland Easter Sunday |
| Tesco | Closed | Open |
| Sainsbury’s | Closed | Open |
| Lidl | Closed | Open |
| Morrisons | Closed | Open |
| Iceland | Closed | Open |
This regional difference matters if you live close to the Scottish border or plan to travel over the Easter weekend.
Where Can You Check Your Local Supermarket Easter Opening Times?
Checking your local supermarket Easter opening times is essential, as hours can vary significantly between branches during the bank holiday weekend.
Use Official Store Locators
The easiest and most reliable way to check opening times is by using the official store locator on each supermarket’s website or app.
While national timings provide a general guide, individual stores, especially those in shopping centres, petrol stations or retail parks, often follow different schedules.
Most supermarkets update their Easter hours a few days before Good Friday, so it’s best to check shortly before you plan your visit.
Which Supermarkets Offer Branch Finders?
Major UK supermarkets provide postcode-based tools to show accurate opening and closing times for your nearest store, including Easter Sunday and Easter Monday changes:
- Tesco Store Locator
- Asda Store Finder
- Aldi Store Finder
- Lidl Store Finder
- Sainsbury’s Store Locator
- Morrisons Store Finder
- Waitrose Branch Finder
By checking these tools in advance, you can avoid unexpected closures and plan your Easter shopping more smoothly.
Supermarket Easter Opening Times 2026 Comparison Table
| Supermarket | Good Friday | Easter Saturday | Easter Sunday | Easter Monday |
| Tesco | 6 am–10 pm | Normal hours | Closed in England and Wales | 8 am–6 pm |
| Sainsbury’s | 7 am–11 pm | 7 am–11 pm | Closed in England and Wales | 8 am–8 pm |
| Asda | 7 am–10 pm | 7 am–10 pm | Closed | 8 am–10 pm |
| Aldi | 8 am–9 pm | 8 am–9 pm | Closed | 8 am–8 pm |
| Lidl | Normal hours | Normal hours | Closed in England and Wales | Varies |
| Morrisons | 7 am–10 pm | Normal hours | Closed in England and Wales | 7 am–8 pm |
| Waitrose | Reduced hours | Normal hours | Mostly closed | Reduced hours |
| Co-op | 7 am–10 pm | 7 am–10 pm | Many stores open | 7 am–10 pm |
| Iceland | Normal hours | Normal hours | Closed in England and Wales | Normal hours |
| M&S | 8 am–8 pm | Normal hours | Mostly closed | 8 am–8 pm |
Conclusion
Most UK supermarkets will remain open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, close on Easter Sunday in England and Wales, then reopen with shorter hours on Easter Monday. Scotland is the main exception, with many supermarkets staying open all weekend.
If you want to avoid disappointment, plan your Easter shopping before Sunday and always check your local branch online.
Convenience stores such as Tesco Express, Co-op and Sainsbury’s Local could save you from a last-minute dash if you forget something over the bank holiday weekend.
FAQs About Supermarkets Easter Opening Times
Are supermarkets open on Good Friday 2026?
Yes, almost all major supermarkets will be open on Good Friday, although many will close earlier than usual.
Which supermarkets are closed on Easter Sunday?
Most large Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stores in England and Wales will close.
Are Tesco Express and Co-op open on Easter Sunday?
Yes, many Tesco Express and Co-op convenience stores are expected to remain open on Easter Sunday.
Why are supermarkets in Scotland open on Easter Sunday?
Scotland does not follow the same Easter Sunday trading laws as England and Wales.
Do supermarket opening times vary by location?
Yes, opening hours can vary depending on your local branch, shopping centre location or region.
Which supermarket stays open the latest over Easter weekend?
Sainsbury’s often stays open until 11pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, while Co-op may stay open until 10pm on Easter Sunday.
Where can you check your local Easter opening times?
You can check your nearest branch using the official store locator on each supermarket’s website.
