You’re standing in your kitchen. Maybe you realized you forgot the massive bag of dinner rolls, or perhaps you just ran out of those specific organic eggs everyone likes. It’s Easter Sunday. You think, "I'll just swing by Costco."
Stop right there.
If you are asking is Costco open today Easter, the short answer is a resounding no. It isn't. Not today. Not this year. Honestly, not ever.
Costco is one of the few remaining retail giants that treats Easter Sunday as a "hard holiday." While places like Walmart or your local Kroger might keep the lights on—at least for limited hours—Costco shuts the warehouse doors completely. This isn't a regional thing or a "check your local store" situation. It’s a corporate-wide mandate across the United States.
The Seven Sacred Closures
Costco is famous for its holiday schedule. Or, more accurately, its lack of one. While most retailers have succumbed to the pressure of 365-day accessibility to keep shareholders happy, the warehouse club sticks to a very specific list of seven holidays where they close shop.
Easter is on that list.
The others? New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. That’s it. If it’s one of those seven days, don't even bother driving to the parking lot unless you just want to see a very empty, very quiet asphalt desert. It’s actually kind of eerie how still a Costco parking lot gets when the rotisserie chicken ovens aren't spinning.
📖 Related: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
Why Does Costco Close on Easter?
It’s about the people. Seriously.
The company has a long-standing reputation for being one of the better employers in the retail space. They pay higher than the industry average. They offer benefits to part-time workers. And part of that "pro-employee" culture involves guaranteed time off. By closing on Easter, they ensure that their massive workforce—from the tire center techs to the sample stations folks—gets a day to actually be home.
Whether those employees are celebrating the religious aspect of the holiday or just catching up on sleep, the company decided long ago that the lost revenue from a Sunday afternoon isn't worth the burnout of their staff.
It’s a smart business move disguised as a nice gesture. Happy employees tend to stick around longer. In an industry where turnover is usually astronomical, Costco’s retention rates are legendary. If closing for a few holidays a year helps maintain that, they’ll take the hit on the balance sheet every single time.
Is Costco Open Today Easter? Exploring Your Alternatives
So, you’re stuck. The fridge is half-empty and the guests are coming over at 4:00 PM. What now?
Since Costco is a no-go, you have to pivot. Most major grocery chains like Safeway, Harris Teeter, and Wegmans usually stay open on Easter, though they often slash their hours. You might find them closing at 6:00 PM instead of their usual time.
👉 See also: The Long Haired Russian Cat Explained: Why the Siberian is Basically a Living Legend
Whole Foods is almost always open. Trader Joe's, however, is a wild card—they sometimes close early on Easter Sunday, often around 5:00 PM.
If you absolutely need bulk items, you’re mostly out of luck. BJ’s Wholesale Club sometimes remains open on Easter, but Sam’s Club typically follows Costco’s lead and stays closed. It’s a warehouse club tradition, apparently.
Planning Your Post-Easter Haul
Since you can't go today, you're probably looking at tomorrow.
The Monday after Easter is usually a madhouse. Everyone who realized they were out of milk or trash bags on Sunday hits the warehouse at 10:00 AM sharp. If you can wait until Tuesday, do it. Your sanity will thank you.
But if you must go Monday, check the Costco app first. One thing people forget is that while the warehouse is closed on Sunday, the gas stations are too. If you were planning on fueling up for a road trip back home after the holiday meal, you’ll need to find a Shell or a Chevron. Costco Gas follows the warehouse hours on major holidays. No exceptions.
The Weird Specifics of Costco Holiday Hours
Sometimes people get confused because Costco will stay open on "minor" holidays that feel big.
✨ Don't miss: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
- Mother's Day? Open.
- Father's Day? Open.
- Halloween? Open.
- Black Friday? Oh, they are very much open (and it’s chaos).
But Easter remains a pillar of their "closed" calendar.
There’s also the international factor. If you’re reading this in Canada or the UK, the rules might be slightly different based on local "Bank Holiday" laws, but in the US, the "Big Seven" closures are ironclad.
What You Should Do Instead
Since you aren't spending the next two hours wandering the aisles and accidentally buying a 4-pack of giant jars of artichoke hearts, use the time.
Check your Costco app. You can still shop online, though obviously, nothing is shipping out until Monday. Often, the "Member Only" deals for the post-Easter cycle start appearing on the website or app before they hit the physical shelves.
You can also use this time to organize your digital receipts. Costco’s move to digital membership cards and in-app receipts is a lifesaver for returns. If you bought something last week and realized it's broken or just not right, you don't need the paper slip. Just show them the barcode on your phone tomorrow.
Actionable Steps for the Holiday Weekend
Don't let the closure ruin your flow. Here is how to handle the "Costco is closed" reality:
- Check the Perimeter: If you just need milk, bread, or eggs, hit a local drugstore like CVS or Walgreens. They are almost always open on Easter and carry the basics.
- Verify Grocery Hours: If you’re heading to a standard supermarket, call ahead or check their Instagram. Many stores don't update their Google Maps hours for a single holiday, leading to "arrival heartbreak."
- Prep for Monday: If your Costco needs are dire, aim to be at the door 15 minutes before they open on Monday morning. The "Monday Morning Rush" after a holiday closure is real.
- Fuel Up Elsewhere: Don't let your tank get to E. Costco Gas is closed today. Use an app like GasBuddy to find the cheapest alternative nearby that is actually pumping.
Costco will be there tomorrow. The $1.50 hot dog will still be waiting for you. For today, enjoy the break, even if it means you have to buy a smaller bag of chips at the gas station.