You're standing in the middle of your kitchen, staring at a half-empty bag of dinner rolls and realizing you forgot the giant jar of marinated artichokes for the Sunday brunch. It happens to the best of us. Naturally, your first instinct is to grab the keys and head to the warehouse. But if you’re wondering if Costco open Easter 2025 is actually a thing, I have some bad news for your gas tank and your schedule.
Costco won’t be open.
Seriously. Don't even bother driving there. While other big-box retailers like Walmart or Target sometimes hedge their bets or stay open for limited hours, Costco is notoriously rigid about its holiday schedule. For decades, they have remained one of the few massive corporations that shuts down completely for the big seven holidays. Easter Sunday, which falls on April 20, 2025, is one of those days.
The Reality of the Costco Open Easter 2025 Schedule
It’s actually kinda refreshing, even if it's annoying when you need bulk eggs. Costco CEO Ron Vachris and the leadership team before him have maintained a strict "closed on Easter" policy for as long as most members can remember. They do this because they want their employees to have a guaranteed day off with their families. It’s a core part of their corporate culture that keeps employee retention rates significantly higher than the industry average.
Most people get this confused because they see "Holiday Hours" posted on the door and assume it means shortened hours.
Nope.
When Costco says a holiday, they mean the whole day. Doors locked. Lights dimmed. Rotisserie chickens at a standstill. If you show up on April 20, the only thing you’ll find in the parking lot is a few other confused shoppers and maybe a stray shopping cart.
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Why Does This Keep Catching People Off Guard?
Honestly, it’s because we are spoiled by the 24/7 nature of modern retail. We assume that if we can buy a flat-screen TV at 9:00 PM on a Tuesday, we can surely get a five-pound bag of cheese on a Sunday morning. But Costco operates differently. Their business model isn't built on desperate, last-minute convenience shopping. It’s built on the "stock up so you don't have to come back for three weeks" philosophy.
If you’re planning a big Easter lunch, the window for Costco open Easter 2025 shopping actually closes at 6:00 PM on Saturday, April 19. That Saturday is going to be absolute mayhem. Imagine the Hunger Games, but with more samples and better Kirkland Signature sweatshirts.
Comparing Costco to Other Retailers on April 20, 2025
If you really find yourself in a bind, you have to look elsewhere. It's weird how fragmented holiday hours have become.
Walmart usually stays open on Easter, though they might close their pharmacies early. Target has started trending toward closing on Easter in recent years, following Costco’s lead to give staff a break. Whole Foods often stays open, but they'll likely have reduced hours, maybe closing by 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on your specific location.
Then you have the local grocery chains. Your Krogers, Publixs, and Safeways of the world are a toss-up. In the South, Publix is almost always closed on Easter. It’s a regional thing. Costco, however, is a blanket policy nationwide. Whether you are in a warehouse in Maui or a rainy corner of New Jersey, the answer remains the same: closed.
The Strategy for the Week Leading Up to Easter
Since we know Costco open Easter 2025 isn't happening, you need a logistical game plan. Most people wait until the Friday before. Huge mistake.
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The "Sweet Spot" for Easter shopping at Costco is actually the Tuesday or Wednesday before the holiday. By then, the fresh shipments of lamb, ham, and those massive chocolate eggs are usually fully stocked, but the frantic crowds haven't reached peak density yet. If you wait until Saturday, you’re going to be fighting for the last box of croissants like your life depends on it.
I’ve seen people try to buy the pre-made scalloped potatoes on the Saturday before Easter only to find the refrigerated section wiped clean. It’s a ghost town.
What About the Gas Station and Food Court?
This is a common question. People think, "Okay, the store is closed, but can I at least get cheap gas?"
No.
The Costco gas station operates on the warehouse schedule for major holidays. If the big metal doors are down, the pumps are off. The same goes for the food court. You aren't getting a $1.50 hot dog on Easter Sunday. You'll have to settle for whatever is in your pantry or hit up a gas station convenience store that'll charge you triple for a lukewarm snack.
The Financial Logic Behind the Closure
From a business perspective, you’d think Costco is leaving millions on the table by closing. And they are. But they make it up in loyalty. By being a "pro-employee" company, they save a fortune on training new hires because people actually want to stay there.
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There’s also the membership factor. You’ve already paid your $65 or $130 for the year. You aren't going to cancel your membership just because they closed for one Sunday. You’ll just grumble and go on Monday morning when they reopen at 10:00 AM.
Survival Tips for the Easter Weekend Shopper
If you absolutely must go to Costco during the week of April 14, 2025, follow these rules to keep your sanity.
First, use the Costco app to check if items are in stock at your local warehouse before you drive there. It's not 100% perfect, but it beats driving 20 minutes to find out they are out of the specific Kirkland ham you wanted.
Second, go early. Like, "standing at the door at 9:45 AM" early. The first hour of operation is usually the most civilized. Once 11:30 AM hits, the families arrive, the sample lines get long, and the aisles become an obstacle course of oversized carts.
Third, don't forget the flowers. Costco’s floral department is top-tier for the price, but they sell out of lilies and spring bouquets incredibly fast during Easter week. If you see a good bouquet on Thursday, buy it then. It'll stay fresh in a cool spot until Sunday.
Actionable Steps for Your 2025 Holiday Planning
Since you now know for a fact that Costco open Easter 2025 is a myth, here is what you should do right now:
- Mark your calendar: Set an alert for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. That is your "Primary Shopping Day."
- Check your pantry now: Look for the staples you usually buy in bulk—flour, sugar, oils, and parchment paper. Don't realize you're out of butter while you're in the middle of baking an Easter cake on Sunday morning.
- Identify a Backup: Find a local 24-hour pharmacy or a smaller grocery store that you know will be open on April 20. CVS and Walgreens are usually safe bets for emergency milk or eggs, even if the prices are higher.
- Prescription Check: If you use the Costco Pharmacy, make sure your refills are picked up by Saturday at 6:00 PM. They don't have an "emergency window" for holiday closures.
- Tire Center and Optical: If you were planning on getting a tire rotation or new glasses during your day off, reschedule. These departments follow the main warehouse holiday hours strictly.
The bottom line is simple: Easter Sunday is for family, relaxation, and eating way too much candy—not for wandering the aisles of a warehouse looking for a 36-pack of toilet paper. Plan ahead, get your Kirkland haul done by Saturday evening, and enjoy the day off knowing the employees are doing the same.