Pastel window displays are taking over our favorite avenues and the sugar cravings are hitting hard as the city gears up for a massive holiday weekend!
Easter Sunday lands on April 5 this year, bringing iconic bonnet parades to Fifth Avenue, gorgeous floral installations, and lavish prix fixe brunches across all five boroughs.
Navigating NYC on a holiday can definitely throw a wrench in your plans when you are just trying to have a good time.
Even though it’s not a federally or New York-recognized holidays, many businesses elect to switch up hours in honor of the holiday.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about what is open and closed in NYC for Easter 2026 so there are no surprises come Sunday.
Public transit and city services
Getting around the city on Easter Sunday is a breeze, but you will definitely want to double check those schedules before tapping your phone or OMNY card.
Since the holiday always lands on a Sunday, standard weekend rules apply to most city operations.
- MTA subways and buses: Trains and buses are operating on a standard Sunday schedule. You can definitely expect the usual weekend service changes and reroutes.
- Commuter rails: The Long Island Rail Road and Metro North will run on their regular weekend timetables to help bring New Yorkers out to the suburbs and back.
- City services: Post offices, banks, and public libraries are completely shut down for the day.
- Street parking: Alternate side parking rules are suspended for Sundays as usual, giving you a tiny bit of relief when driving to a family dinner.
Grocery stores and big retailers
Realizing you forgot an essential ingredient for your massive Sunday roast or needing a last minute outfit change is a classic holiday blunder.
Luckily, New Yorkers have plenty of options, but you will want to avoid specific big box chains that are taking the day off. According to RetailMeNot, there are plenty of places open and closed
- Grocery lifesavers: If you need emergency ingredients, you are in luck. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Walmart are keeping their doors open for regular hours, though some specific locations might operate with a slightly modified schedule.
- Pharmacy runs: Duane Reade, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are open for your convenience whether you need cold medicine or a chocolate bunny.
- Big retailers open: Stores like Barnes & Noble, BJ’s Wholesale Club, IKEA, Petco, PetSmart, Staples, and Home Depot will be open.
- Fast food options: Quick pitstops at places like Starbucks (hours may vary) and 7-Eleven will be open.
- Completely closed: Do not plan a massive shopping spree. Huge retailers like Target, Costco, ALDI, Macy’s, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, and Lowe’s are totally shut down across the country.
Museums and attractions
Looking for a way to walk off those massive chocolate bunnies? Most of New York City’s world class cultural institutions remain fully open for the holiday.
- Museums: Iconic spots like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History operate under their normal Sunday hours.
- Parks: All NYC Parks are completely accessible, making it the perfect afternoon to stroll through Central Park and take in the stunning early April blooms.
Restaurants and bars
New York City absolutely thrives on a holiday weekend, and the dining scene goes all out for Easter.
Reservations: From lavish hotel brunches in Manhattan to intimate neighborhood joints in Brooklyn, finding a gorgeous meal is incredibly easy. Reservations disappear incredibly fast for Easter brunch, so you will want to lock down a table on Resy or OpenTable as soon as possible.
Dining Out: The vast majority of restaurants, cafes, and bars stay open. You will find countless spots offering special holiday menus!
