You’re standing in your kitchen, maybe halfway through prepping a ham or realizing you forgot to buy that one specific pastel polo for the family photo. It happens to the best of us. Naturally, your mind jumps to the nearest big-box lifesaver. But is Kohl's open on Easter Sunday, or are you going to be met with a locked sliding door and an empty parking lot?
Honestly, the answer isn't what it used to be.
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For years, Kohl’s was one of those reliable spots where you could snag a last-minute gift card or a pair of shoes even on a holiday. Things have shifted. If you’re looking to shop on Easter Sunday, March 29, 2026, you’re likely going to need a backup plan.
The Reality of Shopping at Kohl's on Easter
Most Kohl’s locations across the country have moved toward closing their doors entirely on Easter Sunday. It’s part of a broader trend where major retailers—think Target, Macy’s, and JCPenney—decided that giving staff a day off is worth the lost sales.
In 2024 and 2025, the chain stayed closed. 2026 is looking to be exactly the same.
Now, there’s always a tiny bit of nuance. While the corporate mandate is usually "closed," a handful of stores located in high-traffic tourist zones or specific malls with strict operating agreements might behave differently. But for 99% of us? Don't count on it. If you drive there at 10:00 AM on Sunday morning, you’ll probably just see your own reflection in the dark glass.
Why the Policy Changed
It wasn't always like this. Retail used to be a 365-day-a-year grind. However, the labor market changed, and employee burnout became a real "thing" that corporate offices had to address.
By closing on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Kohl's positions itself as a company that values "family time." It’s a strategic move. It builds goodwill with the people working the registers and, frankly, keeps them from quitting during the high-stress back-to-school or Christmas rushes.
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Plus, let's be real—Easter isn't exactly a high-volume shopping day for heavy winter coats or kitchen appliances. Most people are busy with brunch or church. The cost of keeping the lights on and paying a full staff often outweighs the few bucks made from someone buying a stray frying pan at 2:00 PM.
Don't Forget the "Blue Laws"
Even if Kohl’s wanted to be open in every city, some places just won't let them. If you live in Bergen County, New Jersey, for example, you already know the deal. Their "blue laws" are legendary. Almost all non-essential retail is shuttered on Sundays there, regardless of whether it's a holiday or not.
Several other pockets in the South and Midwest still have similar restrictions on the books. In these areas, "is Kohl's open on Easter Sunday" is a moot point because they aren't even open on a regular Sunday.
Digital Shopping is Still Very Much Alive
While the physical aisles might be dark, the website never sleeps. You can still:
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- Earn Kohl’s Cash: If there’s a promotion running, your online orders will still trigger those rewards.
- Check Local Inventory: You can spend the afternoon building a cart so you’re ready to hit "Buy" the second the store opens on Monday morning.
- Returns: Obviously, you can't walk into the store to drop off an Amazon return, but you can get your QR codes ready.
What About the Rest of the Weekend?
If you’re a planner (or trying to become one), the good news is that Friday and Saturday are usually business as usual. In fact, many stores stay open until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM on the Saturday before Easter.
That Saturday is basically the "Super Bowl" for last-minute Easter basket fillers. If you need candy, plastic eggs, or a sundress, that is your window. Once the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, the "closed" sign is going up.
Actionable Next Steps for Shoppers
If you absolutely must get shopping done this Sunday, here is how to handle it without losing your mind:
- The 24-Hour Rule: Check the Kohl's store locator on their official site or app on Saturday afternoon. They usually update the "Holiday Hours" section 24 to 48 hours in advance.
- Look for Alternatives: If you need groceries or basic pharmacy items, CVS and Walgreens are almost always open. Some grocery chains like Kroger or Meijer might have limited hours, unlike the department stores.
- App Pickup: Place an order on the Kohl's app on Sunday. You won't be able to get it that day, but it will likely be ready for "In-Store Pickup" by 10:00 AM on Monday morning. This saves you from having to wander the aisles when the Monday morning crowd hits.
- Confirm the Monday Reset: Most stores return to their standard 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM opening time the day after Easter.
Plan for a closed store, enjoy the day off, and save your shopping spree for Monday.