What’s Open on Good Friday 2026? Shops, Pubs & More

Good Friday can throw a wrench in your plans — especially when you’re crossing borders. On 3 April 2026, millions of people across Ireland, the UK, and Australia will face different rules on shopping, alcohol sales, and public transport. This guide breaks down exactly what’s open, what’s closed, and where the rules differ so you can actually enjoy the long weekend.

Good Friday 2026 date: April 3 · Public holiday status in Ireland: Not an official public holiday, but many schools and businesses close · Alcohol sales ban in Ireland: In effect – pubs and off-licences closed all day · Major supermarkets closed in Australia: Coles, Woolworths, Aldi closed on Good Friday · UK supermarket openings: Vary by chain; Waitrose, Tesco open with reduced hours

Six key facts, one pattern: the rules vary more than most people expect — and the differences between Ireland, the UK, and Australia can trip up even seasoned travellers.

The implication: if you’re traveling between these countries on Good Friday, the rules shift completely — and what’s normal in one place is illegal in another.

Is everything open on Good Friday in Ireland?

What is the alcohol ban on Good Friday in Ireland?

• Alcohol sales are banned on Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland — pubs and off-licences remain closed all day (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• The ban was partially lifted in 2018, allowing off-licences to open, but most pubs still cannot serve alcohol (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))

Are shops open on Good Friday in Ireland?

• Good Friday is not an official public holiday in Ireland, but many schools and businesses close anyway (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• Shops in smaller towns and villages tend to close, while urban centres have more businesses open (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• Banks close on Good Friday even though it is not a public holiday (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))

The trade-off: Ireland gives you a quiet, car-free streets kind of day — but if you forgot to stock up on drinks, you’re out of luck until Saturday.

What is allowed to be open on Good Friday?

Which shops are allowed to open on Good Friday?

• In Ireland, only certain retail outlets like petrol stations, pharmacies, and some newsagents may open (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• In Australia, all non-exempt shops are closed on Good Friday — it is a restricted trading day in every state (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• The UK has no national ban on trading, but many supermarkets open with reduced hours (The Independent (UK news))

Are restaurants and cafes open on Good Friday?

• In Ireland, restaurants and cafes can legally open, but many choose to close — especially in smaller towns (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• In Australia, restaurants may open but cannot serve alcohol without a special licence (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• In the UK, restaurants and cafes operate normally — no alcohol restrictions apply (The Independent (UK news))

The pattern: the UK is the most permissive, Australia the most restrictive, and Ireland sits in a confusing middle zone where the law says one thing but culture says another.

Is Aldi open on Good Friday 2026?

What time is Lidl open on Easter 2026?

• Aldi is closed on Good Friday in Australia — all stores shut for the day (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• Aldi in the UK may open but with reduced hours — typically 8am–6pm or 9am–5pm (The Independent (UK news))
• Lidl opening times vary by country — in the UK they usually open with bank holiday hours, while in Australia they are closed (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))

Which Supermarkets Are Open Over Easter Weekend? Full List 2026

• In Australia: Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi closed on Good Friday; reopen Saturday (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• In the UK: Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s open with reduced hours; exact times vary by store (The Independent (UK news))
• In Ireland: Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu may open but with restricted hours — check local store (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))

Why this matters: if your Easter meal plan depends on a last-minute Aldi run, you need to know which country you’re in — and whether you’re shopping on Friday or Saturday.

Do shops close for Good Friday?

Are all supermarkets shut on Good Friday?

• In the Republic of Ireland, many shops close but some remain open — especially in cities (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• In Australia, most shops close on Good Friday — it is the most restricted trading day of the year (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• In the UK, many shops operate on bank holiday hours — open but with shorter trading times (The Independent (UK news))

Do shopping centres close on Good Friday?

• In Australia, all major shopping centres close on Good Friday (Remitly (lifestyle guide for Australia))
• In the UK, shopping centres in larger cities typically open with reduced hours
• In Ireland, small-town shopping centres tend to close; Dublin city centre centres may stay open

The pattern: the stricter the public holiday laws, the more you need to plan ahead. Australia’s restricted trading day means you stock up Thursday or wait until Saturday.

Do pubs in Ireland open on Good Friday?

Are pubs open in Northern Ireland on Good Friday?

• Pubs are closed on Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland due to the alcohol ban (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))
• Northern Ireland has no such ban — pubs may open normally on Good Friday (The Independent (UK news))
• The ban was partially lifted in 2018 but remains for most pubs — off-licences can now open, but pubs cannot serve alcohol (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))

What is the history of the Good Friday alcohol ban in Ireland?

• Pre-2018: Full alcohol ban on Good Friday — pubs and off-licences closed all day
• 2018: Legislation passed to allow off-licences to open on Good Friday (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))
• Pubs remain closed under the ban — the 2018 reform did not extend to on-licence sales

The trade-off: if you’re in the Republic, a quiet Good Friday at home is your only option. If you’re in Northern Ireland, the pub is open — but you’ll be driving past shuttered shops to get there.

Easter weekend: What shops can open, and how do surcharges work?

Which shops are open in London over the Easter bank holiday?

• On Easter Sunday many shops in the UK remain closed or open with restricted hours — larger stores in London often stay open
• Surcharges for using credit cards or public holiday premium pay may apply on Easter weekend
• Some chains like Waitrose and Tesco open but may add surcharges on certain items or services

What are Easter surcharges and how much are they?

• Easter surcharges are extra fees added by some businesses on public holidays to cover premium pay for staff
• Typical surcharge rates range from 10% to 15% on restaurant bills and some retail purchases
• Surcharges are set by individual businesses and may not be posted in advance — always ask before ordering

The implication: surcharges are the hidden cost of convenience on a bank holiday. The businesses that are open are paying staff more, and they pass that cost to you.

Timeline

• Pre-2018: Full alcohol ban in Ireland on Good Friday — pubs and off-licences closed (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))
• 2018: Ireland’s Good Friday alcohol ban partially lifted; off-licences allowed to open (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))
• 2025: UK supermarkets continue flexible Easter opening hours (The Independent (UK news))
• 2026-04-03: Good Friday 2026 (Ireland.com (official tourism authority))

Good Friday is not an official public holiday in Ireland and is treated as a normal working day in legal terms.

— The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily)

All stores will be closed on Good Friday in Australia, reopening Saturday.

— Sky News Australia (news outlet)

Major supermarkets including Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi are closed on Good Friday.

— Region.com.au (regional news, via Remitly)

For anyone planning a cross-country Easter weekend, the choice is clear: stock up on Thursday if you’re in Australia, check local store hours if you’re in Ireland, and expect to pay a surcharge if you’re in the UK. The rules are different in every jurisdiction, but the consequence is the same — plan ahead, or you’ll be eating whatever’s left in the pantry.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Anzac Day: History, Traditions, and Key Facts — another major public holiday with significant closures across Australia and New Zealand
• Bed Bath and Beyond Henderson: Hours, Location & Store Guide — practical store-hours guide for planning around public holidays