What’s open and closed this Easter Sunday 2026 in Australia? Check Supermarket and shopping centre timings and trading hours

Easter Sunday 2026: Easter is the principal festival of the Christian Church and the most significant event in its liturgical calendar. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. The occasion marks a cornerstone of the faith, symbolising hope, renewal, and victory over death.

Unlike fixed holidays such as Christmas, Easter is known as a “movable feast,” meaning it does not fall on the same date each year. Its timing is determined by the lunar calendar rather than the solar one.

Specifically, Easter Sunday is observed on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon—the full moon that occurs on or after March 21, the Church’s fixed date for the spring equinox.


For all those who are planning a last-minute run to the stores over the Easter long weekend, it’s important to plan ahead, as not all retailers will be operating on regular schedules. Hours will differ significantly nationwide, with supermarkets, liquor stores, major malls, and hardware outlets adjusting their operations.

The most widespread closures are expected on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when many businesses shut their doors or operate on limited hours.

Easter Sunday 2026: Here's what you need to know about when and where you can shop.

According to “The Nightly", Woolworths Group stores will see varied trading hours across Australia during Easter 2026, with significant regional differences. Most locations in New South Wales and the ACT are expected to remain closed, while the majority of stores in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia will stay open. In contrast, most outlets in South Australia will be shut, whereas trading hours in the Northern Territory and Tasmania will depend on individual store locations.

ALDI stores are set to remain open on Easter Sunday, though operating hours will differ by location across New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and the ACT, 9News reported. According to NIGHTLY, most outlets are expected to welcome customers; some stores will be closed, with trading hours varying on a store-by-store basis.

According to reports from news.com.au and The Nightly, Coles Group supermarkets will largely be closed across New South Wales on Easter Sunday due to trading restrictions, particularly in metropolitan areas like Sydney. However, some regional stores may remain open where exemptions apply.

Across the rest of the country, most Coles locations in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia are expected to operate with reduced hours, while the majority of stores in South Australia will be closed. Meanwhile, supermarkets in the ACT, Northern Territory, and Tasmania are generally set to open, with hours varying by location.

According to news.com.au, SA metro stores are expected to remain closed except for the Adelaide CBD, which will open from 11am- 5pm. Regional SA stores will trade from 8am to 8pm. In NT, stores will be trading from 8am to 8pm, with Alice Springs to remain open until 9pm.

Westfield shopping centres will operate on varied schedules across the country during the Easter period. In the ACT, all locations will trade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while in New South Wales, Tuggerah will be the only centre open, operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Victoria, Westfield centres will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., whereas trading hours in Queensland will vary by location. All Westfield sites in South Australia will remain closed, while in Western Australia, all outlets are set to trade from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.