As Easter 2025 draws near, many across the UK are gearing up for the long weekend filled with family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, and traditional meals. But with the four-day bank holiday—spanning Good Friday on April 18 through Easter Monday on April 21—comes altered shopping routines. Shoppers are being advised to plan ahead as supermarkets will operate under restricted hours, and thousands of larger stores will close completely on Easter Sunday in line with UK trading laws.
Here’s a detailed guide to when major supermarkets across the UK will be open this Easter weekend:
Why Supermarkets Close on Easter Sunday
Under UK legislation, shops over 280 square metres in England and Wales are required to close on Easter Sunday. This impacts large supermarkets such as Tesco Extra, Sainsbury’s Superstores, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl. Only smaller format stores—like Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local—may remain open, though with reduced hours. The law does not apply to stores in Scotland, where many remain open, albeit with local variations.
Aldi Easter Opening Hours
Aldi stores will be open for extended hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday to accommodate the early Easter rush. However, all stores will be closed on Easter Sunday:
- Good Friday (April 18): 8am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
- Easter Monday (April 21): 8am to 8pm
Customers are encouraged to check their local store’s hours, as some opening times may vary by location.
Lidl Easter Opening Hours
Like Aldi, Lidl will shut its doors on Easter Sunday, but shoppers can still access the store on the other three days of the long weekend:
- Good Friday (April 18): 8am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
- Easter Monday (April 21): 9am to 9pm
Local opening times may differ slightly, so shoppers should check in advance.
Tesco Easter Opening Hours
Tesco will have a mix of closures and limited hours depending on the type of store. Larger Tesco Extra and Superstore branches will close on Easter Sunday, but Tesco Express stores will mostly remain open.
- Good Friday (April 18): 6am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed (except Express stores)
- Easter Monday (April 21): 8am to 6pm
To avoid disappointment, it’s advisable to confirm opening times for your nearest Tesco, especially for Express branches which may vary by region.
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Asda Easter Opening Hours
Asda customers should be prepared for store closures on Easter Sunday. However, the rest of the weekend will see standard trading hours:
- Good Friday (April 18): 7am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
- Easter Monday (April 21): 7am to 10pm
Shoppers can still access smaller format Asda Express locations, which may have different schedules.
Sainsbury’s Easter Opening Hours
All major Sainsbury’s stores in England and Wales will be closed on Easter Sunday. However, some smaller local stores may stay open during the day with reduced hours:
- Good Friday (April 18): 7am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed (with some locals open 7am to 9pm)
- Easter Monday (April 21): 7am to 10pm
As with other supermarkets, check your local store’s hours to avoid last-minute inconvenience.
Morrisons Easter Opening Hours
Morrisons follows the same pattern as other major chains, with closures on Easter Sunday and reduced hours on Monday:
- Good Friday (April 18): 7am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
- Easter Monday (April 21): 7am to 8pm
Plan Ahead for a Smooth Easter
With most large supermarkets closing their doors on Easter Sunday, shoppers are urged to stock up in advance. Whether it’s chocolate eggs for the kids, ingredients for a roast dinner, or essentials for the long weekend, ensuring you’ve checked your local store’s hours ahead of time will save stress and disappointment.
It’s also worth remembering that staffing levels may be lower throughout the Easter weekend, so queues may be longer and services such as click-and-collect or home delivery could be limited.
As always, be courteous to retail staff working through the holidays and allow a little extra time for your Easter shopping this year.
