What Is Open on Good Friday 2026? Ireland & UK Guide

Few dates in the calendar cause as much head-scratching as Good Friday. For anyone planning a trip to Ireland or the UK over Easter 2026, the question “what is open on Good Friday?” can feel like a puzzle.

Good Friday 2026 date: April 3, 2026 ·
Good Friday 2027 date: March 26, 2027 ·
Alcohol ban lifted in Ireland: 2018 ·
Good Friday public holiday status (Ireland): Not an official public holiday ·
Restricted trading day in Ireland: Yes

The table below summarizes the essential facts about Good Friday 2026.

Is everything open on Good Friday in Ireland?

Good Friday is not an official public holiday in the Republic of Ireland – schools and some businesses do close, but the day lacks the blanket closure of Christmas Day or Easter Monday (Castleforbes College (educational blog)). The mix of closures and openings can confuse visitors expecting a standard bank holiday.

Large shops over 150 square metres are generally prohibited from opening under the restricted trading day rules. Smaller shops, convenience stores, and pharmacies can serve customers. Restaurants and tourist attractions – especially in Dublin, Cork, and Galway – tend to stay open, though they may operate reduced hours. Banks close entirely, as do many government offices.

The pattern: Good Friday in Ireland is a day of selective closure, not a total shutdown. Retailers over a certain size are forced to close, while smaller operators and hospitality venues choose their own hours.

Are pubs open on Good Friday in Ireland?

Since 2018, the answer is a qualified yes. The Irish parliament voted to lift the near-century-old prohibition on alcohol sales on Good Friday (Castleforbes College (educational blog)). Pubs can now legally sell alcohol subject to normal licensing hours – typically 10:30am to 11:30pm Monday to Thursday, 10:30am to 12:30am Friday and Saturday, and 12:30pm to 11:00pm on Sunday (Courts Service Ireland).

However, opening remains a business decision. Many pubs – especially in smaller towns – choose to stay closed on Good Friday out of tradition or because they expect low trade. Dublin Live reports that “many pubs and shops may remain closed on Good Friday even though they are allowed to open” (Dublin Live (local news)). Tourist areas and city-centre venues are more likely to be open.

The trade-off: The 2018 reform gave pubs the freedom to open, but tradition and economics still keep many closed. The result is a mixed landscape where a lively pub district and a silent village can coexist on the same day.

Which shops are allowed to open on Good Friday?

Supermarkets

Most large supermarkets – including Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu, Aldi, and Lidl – are closed on Good Friday in Ireland. The restricted trading day law applies to shops with a floor area exceeding 150 square metres. Exemptions exist for small convenience stores, petrol station shops, and pharmacies.

Retail stores

Clothing, electronics, and department stores over the size threshold are also closed. Smaller independent retailers can open at their discretion. Shopping centres may be closed entirely or have only a few kiosks operating.

Banks

Banks are closed on Good Friday across both Ireland and the UK. No physical branches open, though online banking and ATMs function normally.

What this means: The restricted trading day creates a clear divide: if you need a basic grocery item, a small local shop is your best bet. For anything requiring a large supermarket or a bank, you’ll need to plan for Thursday or Saturday.

Are all supermarkets shut on Good Friday?

Major supermarket chains

In the Republic of Ireland, all major chains – Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu, Aldi, Lidl, and M&S – are closed on Good Friday. The same applies in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, though some smaller branches of Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local may remain open depending on size and location.

Discount supermarkets

Aldi and Lidl are consistently closed on Good Friday across Ireland and the UK. Their standard operating policy keeps all stores shut on the day.

Convenience stores

Smaller convenience stores, such as Spar, Centra, Londis, and local newsagents, are often open. These are typically under the 150 sq m threshold and can choose to trade. Opening hours may be shorter than usual.

Why this matters: For a family needing to pick up Easter weekend supplies, the closure of Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco means a trip to the local Centra or Spar – which may have higher prices and limited selection. Stocking up on Thursday is the practical move.

Which supermarkets are open over Easter weekend?

Good Friday

Restricted: most large supermarkets closed; small convenience stores may open.

Easter Saturday

Normal trading hours resume for most supermarkets. This is the best day for a full grocery shop.

Easter Sunday

Opening hours vary widely. Some supermarkets open with reduced hours (e.g., 10am–4pm), while others remain closed. In Ireland, Sunday trading laws already restrict hours, and Easter Sunday is no exception. In the UK, many supermarkets operate on a Sunday schedule (typically 10am–4pm), but some may close entirely.

Easter Monday

In the Republic of Ireland, Easter Monday is a public holiday. Large supermarkets are generally closed, though small shops may open. In the UK, Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (but not Scotland). Most supermarkets operate on a reduced bank holiday schedule, often 8am–6pm or similar.

What this means: The Easter weekend creates a three-day window of disrupted shopping. The safe approach: do your main shop on Easter Saturday, and accept that Sunday and Monday will involve limited options.

Three jurisdictions, three sets of rules – here’s how they stack up for Good Friday 2026.

Timeline signal

• 2018 – Ireland lifts the Good Friday alcohol ban (The Irish Times).
• April 3, 2026 – Good Friday 2026 (Ireland.com).
• April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday 2026.
• March 26, 2027 – Good Friday 2027.

These dates highlight the key milestones for Good Friday regulations.

Confirmed facts

• Good Friday is not an official public holiday in Ireland (Ireland.com).
• Alcohol ban lifted in 2018 (BBC News).

What’s unclear

• Exact opening hours of individual stores – vary by franchise and location.
• Whether pubs in all towns open – a business decision, not a legal requirement.
• Easter Sunday trading hours – differ by store and jurisdiction.
• Banks closed in Ireland on Good Friday – although widely reported, no official source confirms universal closure.

These aspects vary by location and are best checked locally.

Expert perspectives

“Good Friday is not an official public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, schools and some businesses do close on that day.”

– Ireland.com (tourism authority)

“The old Good Friday alcohol ban was lifted in 2018, so pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and off-licences can legally sell alcohol on that day.”

– Castleforbes College (educational blog)

These quotes from official and educational sources clarify the key points.

For travellers in Ireland, the choice is clear: plan your shopping for Easter Saturday, check ahead with pubs in smaller towns, and accept that Good Friday is a day of partial closure, not a total consumer holiday. In the UK, the rules are simpler – but Northern Ireland’s alcohol time window remains a quirk that catches visitors off guard. For anyone crossing the border, the best advice is to check local listings before you set out.

Frequently asked questions