Now, the mall on Easter Sunday is a weird zoo. Most anchor stores are closed, but the movie theater and a few chain restaurants are usually hopping. You’ll find families in their "church clothes" eating Cinnabon an hour after mass.
I’m not saying you should go. But if you’re bored after the third jellybean, a trip to the mall can be a low-stakes adventure. The parking lot is almost empty. Almost. That’s the real miracle of Easter.
And let’s be honest: fast food is the great equalizer. McDonald’s and Starbucks are often open, especially in tourist areas. Nothing says “He is risen” like a Shamrock Shake in April. (No offense to the faithful—you do you.)
The Wild Card: Big Box Retailers
Here’s where it gets dicey. Target and Walmart—they basically decide year-by-year what they’re doing. Some are open, some are closed. It’s like a puzzle game you have to solve with your phone. (Always check local hours. I learned this the hard way, staring at a locked door, holding a bag of plastic grass.)
Do Supermarkets Open on Easter Sunday?
I once found a Target open on Easter in a small town. It was surreal. There were employees in bunny ears, and the self-checkout had a sign saying “Happy Easter!” in Comic Sans. It felt like a fever dream. I bought a scented candle and left, questioning my life choices.
The lesson? Don’t assume. Call ahead. Or just use the store’s website while you’re still in your pajamas. Technology: making Easter less stressful since forever.
