Ontario Grocery Stores Easter Hours 2026: Open or Closed?

It happens to the best of us every year. You have the family dinner planned, the kids are ready for the egg hunt, and then you realize you forgot a key ingredient. Whether it’s the mint jelly for the lamb or extra butter for the mashed potatoes, it can be a stressful moment.

Naturally, you might reach for your phone to search, “Will grocery stores open on easter sunday in ontario today?“

To save you a trip to an empty parking lot, here is a complete guide on where you can—and likely cannot—shop for groceries on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. Ontario’s holiday laws can be a little specific, so let’s clear up the confusion.

Are Most Supermarkets Closed on Easter Sunday?

For the most part, yes.

In Ontario, the Retail Business Holidays Act designates Easter Sunday as a retail holiday. This means most major grocery stores and retail outlets are required by law to close their doors for the day.

If you are wondering, “Are grocery stores open on Easter Sunday?” the answer for the vast majority of locations is no. However, there are a few specific exceptions depending on the size and location of the store.

Is No Frills Open on Easter Sunday?

If you usually shop at major chains, you will likely need to plan ahead. No Frills is closed on Easter Sunday, and this applies to almost all major grocery banners across the province.

• Is Loblaws open on Easter Sunday? No, locations will be closed.
• Is Sobeys open on Easter Sunday? No.
• Walmart, Metro, and Costco? These major retailers will also be closed.

Since these stores strictly follow provincial holiday hours, it is best to complete your shopping before Sunday.

The “Oops, I Forgot One Ingredient” Survival Guide

If you do find yourself needing an essential item on Sunday, all is not lost. The law permits certain smaller retailers to remain open. This generally applies to stores under 2,400 square feet with fewer than three employees working at a time, as well as businesses in designated tourist areas.

Here are a few options that are often open:

• Rabba Fine Foods: These locations are typically open 24/7, 365 days a year, making them a reliable option in the GTA.
• Designated Tourist Areas: Malls like the Toronto Eaton Centre and Markville Mall in Markham often have special permission to open on holidays. Occasionally, food retailers within these centres may operate on reduced hours. It is always a good idea to call ahead to confirm.
• Independent Grocers: Smaller, family-run markets in areas like Toronto’s Chinatown or Koreatown often operate on their own independent schedules.
• Shoppers Drug Mart: Many locations remain open on holidays. While they may not stock full grocery lines, they are excellent for essentials like eggs, milk, and bread.

Wait, What About Monday? Are Stores Open on Easter Monday in Ontario?

There is often some confusion around the Monday following Easter. While Easter Sunday is a statutory holiday for retailers, Easter Monday is generally business as usual.

Are grocery stores open on Easter Monday? Yes, they are.

Government offices and banks might observe reduced hours or closures, but retail businesses are not required to close. So, if you are wondering, “are stores open on Easter Monday in Ontario?“, you can expect Walmart, Costco, and Loblaws to be open during their regular hours on April 6, 2026.

A Quick Note on Our Neighbors: Good Friday in Quebec

If you live near the Ontario-Quebec border, it is helpful to know that the rules differ slightly between the provinces.

You might ask, “Are grocery stores open on good friday in quebec?” Interestingly, while Ontario stores close on Good Friday (April 3, 2026), many grocery stores in Quebec remain open. However, they typically close on Easter Sunday, just like in Ontario.

If you are in the Ottawa area and need groceries on Friday, a short trip across to Gatineau could solve your problem. However, on Easter Sunday, major stores will generally be closed on both sides of the river.

The Bottom Line for 2026

To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend finishing your grocery shopping by Saturday, April 4.

Most stores will close on Good Friday, open on Saturday, close again on Easter Sunday, and resume regular hours on Monday. Planning your weekend around that Saturday window ensures you have everything you need for a wonderful holiday.

If you do need a last-minute item on Sunday morning, check your local Rabba or Shoppers Drug Mart.

Is The Beer Store or LCBO Open Over Easter Weekend

Once the groceries are sorted, you may also want to check the hours for the LCBO and The Beer Store to complete your holiday planning.

Check out our full guide here: Is The Beer Store or LCBO Open Over Easter Weekend?

Related Reads:

• https://www.insidehalton.com/news/easter-grocery-hours/article_ce43280c-da8b-5ee9-87a7-1ea4d596d645.html
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/easter-weekend-in-toronto-whats-closed-open
• https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/heres-whats-open-and-closed-over-easter-weekend-in-toronto-and-the-gta/article_97b80685-244d-43dc-875a-4dd76435c5ad.html