Easter Sunday, in fact, stands among the most celebrated of the Christian holidays in the United States. Here, however, we come across families at brunches, egg hunts, and church services; but questions reveal themselves: What services are available? Will it be open for banks? Does one still collect mails? What stores will remain closed? At the same time, let’s not forget that there are several others who would like to know if Easter Monday is really a holiday.
This article will help in knowing which services and businesses mostly open and close on Easter Sunday and the rest of the myths concerning Easter Monday.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Most major banks across the U.S., like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase, strictly observe Easter Sunday holidays. The reason for this is that since it is not a federal banking holiday, the service of their ATMs and mobile banking is still active so you won’t be able to go to a branch but will have access to get cash for day-to-day needs.
For those asking, is Easter Monday a federal holiday, the answer is no. In fact, unlike some countries within Europe and even Canada, the United States does not consider Easter Monday a federal holiday. So then, banks reopen, as usual, the Monday after Easter.
U.S. Post Offices and mail services
Every United States Postal Service (USPS) location will be shut on Easter Sunday and regular mail deliveries will not be done. However, certain self-service kiosks inside specific postal locations may still be available.
Again, mail is paused on that Sunday, but it resumes regular delivery on the following day. Rephrased, is Easter Monday a federal holiday? Nope, USPS continues routine practices on Easter Monday, just like it does other weekdays.
Private carriers, like FedEx and UPS, typically do not make deliveries on Easter Sunday, with a few exceptions made for their most high-end customer services.
Grocery and Retail Stores
Many a businessman is open for business adjusted hours and complete closures on Easter Sundays. Grocery chains like H-E-B, Costco, and Aldi are traditionally closed to allow employees to spend the day with their families. Other chains like Wal-Mart, CVS, and Walgreens, however, remain more or less open for reduced business hours on that day, depending on their location.
However, to avoid any last-minute surprise, checking online or calling for the holiday schedule to the local shop is always a best practice.
Restaurants and Entertainment Sites
Most large chain restaurants like Denny’s, IHOP, and Starbucks are usually open on Easter Sunday, although their hours vary by location. Smaller or family-owned locations might opt not to open, so it might be a good idea to call ahead.
Most movie theatres, parks and many entertaining play-spots are usually open, hence Easter Sunday stands out as a favourite family outing day after church services.
Schools, Government Offices, and Public Services
It really isn’t much of a holiday, since Easter Sunday always falls on a weekend and, hence, schools are already closed. However, there are many school districts all over the US, which have added this holiday to next week’s events as part of spring break. Local government offices such as City Hall, DMV branches, and public libraries close their doors on Sunday and reopen on Monday for normal operations.
This brings up the nagging question once more: is the Monday of Easter a federal holiday? This is again, a big no. Federal offices, courts and most government-run services would be open on the Monday after Easter.
Summary: Know Before You Go
| Service/Business | Easter Sunday Status | Easter Monday Status |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | Closed | Open (Not a Fed Holiday) |
| USPS | Closed | Open |
| Grocery Stores | Mostly Closed | Open |
| Restaurants | Mostly Open | Open |
| Government Offices | Closed | Open |
Conclusion
Easter Sunday might affect your weekend plans, especially if you need to run errands or mail packages. Always check the hours of your local stores and services.
And to those still wondering, is Easter Monday a federal holiday? It is not in the United States while other nations recognize it. Banks, government services, and public services return to their normal schedule on Easter Monday.
Whether you are observing Easter or just have the day off, knowing what is open and what is not helps to maximize the use of the Easter weekend.
