With the Easter long weekend just around the corner, you might be wondering how to celebrate the holiday or what Easter events are taking place near you. While a long weekend is certainly a cause for celebration, it’s important to remember that many public venues will be closed or have different operating hours during this time.
So, what’s open on Easter in Australia? Let’s take a look at what you can expect day by day.
What’s open on Good Friday in Australia?
In Australia, Good Friday is regarded as a national public holiday, and it’s one of the only days of the year when nearly all major retailers close their doors.
All major supermarkets (ALDI, Coles and Woolworths) will be closed, as well as major liquor stores and retailers like Big W and Kmart.
Some smaller businesses, such as your local independent grocer or favourite café, may remain open but it’s a good idea to check in advance to avoid disappointment.
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What’s open on Easter Saturday in Australia?
Many retailers will reopen their doors on Easter Saturday. In fact, it’s usually quite a busy shopping day for many people as they get ready to host family and friends the following day.
However, some stores will still be operating on reduced trading hours. So, it’s again important to check the hours of individual locations before heading out to make the most of your day.
What’s open on Easter Sunday in Australia?
Trading hours vary a bit from state to state on Easter Sunday. For instance, most Kmart shops will be closed in NSW and SA, but its store locations in other states and territories will remain open.
For the most part, all major supermarkets, restaurants and liquor stores will remain open, with most of them operating on reduced hours.
Locally owned venues – such as cafés, independent grocers, restaurants and bars – are less likely to be open on Easter Sunday. This is largely because many of these venues are closed on Sundays anyways, with Easter Sunday being no exception. Additionally, Easter Sunday in Australia is the day most often set aside for social gatherings with loved ones.
What’s open on Easter Monday in Australia?
All major supermarkets, retailers and liquor stores will be open on Easter Monday, with many smaller retailers reopening their doors, too.
Don’t forget that several hospitality venues may charge a public holiday surcharge on Easter Monday, so be prepared to pay a few dollars more than normal.
It’s worth noting that South Australia has different rules to other states around public holidays, so if you’re in that area then be sure to check at a local level.
Discover what’s open near you on Easter
Many of the major retailers listed above regularly update their trading hours for individual locations live on their websites. Check out the links below to find what is open near you on Easter Weekend 2024:
