The Easter holidays bring not only traditions, prayers, and rich meals, but also a series of changes in store schedules in cities. For residents of Bucharest, planning Easter shopping is essential: ingredients for the Easter table, last-minute products, or even gifts – all of these require clear information about when supermarkets are open during the holiday period. In 2026, Orthodox Easter falls on April 12, and the period before and after this date comes with special schedules in most retail chains. Below, we offer a complete and updated guide on the Easter schedule of major supermarkets in Bucharest: Lidl, Auchan, Penny, Carrefour, and Mega Image, along with some useful shopping tips.

Lidl Easter schedule 2026

The German supermarket chain Lidl is one of the most visited by Bucharest residents, due to its combination of competitive prices and a varied product assortment. For Easter 2026, Lidl has announced a special schedule designed to handle the large flow of shoppers during Holy Week, as well as the holiday days.

During the period April 6–10, 2026, Lidl stores will operate between 07:00 – 22:00, offering enough time for daily shopping before the holiday. On Holy Saturday, April 11, the schedule will be reduced, and stores will close earlier, around 18:00. On Easter Sunday, April 12, and on Bright Monday, April 13, all Lidl stores will be closed, giving employees and customers the traditional holiday time off. Starting Tuesday, April 14, the schedule returns to normal according to each store’s regular timetable.

This schedule is similar in all Lidl stores nationwide, including those in Bucharest, and is designed to respect the tradition of having holidays off while still allowing intense shopping before Easter.

Auchan schedule during the Easter period

Auchan is another major player in the Romanian retail market, and its hypermarkets in Bucharest adjust their schedule depending on Holy Week and Easter days. Unlike regular supermarkets, Auchan operates mainly as a hypermarket, meaning it offers a wider range of products – from food to electronics and decorations.

According to available information, on Good Friday, April 10, Auchan stores will operate until 23:00, offering extended shopping hours. On Holy Saturday, April 11, the schedule will be reduced, and hypermarkets will close around 18:00. On Easter Sunday, April 12, most units will be closed, with one notable exception: the Auchan store in AFI Cotroceni, which will be open between 14:00 and 22:00 – a special schedule for customers who want to shop or visit the mall. On Bright Monday, April 13, most Auchan hypermarkets will reopen starting at 10:00.

This schedule reflects a general trend among hypermarkets: on the actual holiday days, stores are closed or operate on reduced hours, but still provide some shopping options in the afternoon of Easter Sunday, especially in shopping malls.

Penny Easter schedule 2026

Penny is another supermarket chain widely present in Bucharest and across the country, appreciated for its proximity stores and customer-friendly schedule. For Easter 2026, Penny adjusts its timetable as follows:

• On Good Friday, April 10, Penny stores will be open between 07:00 and 22:00, offering the opportunity for fast-paced shopping before the weekend. 
• On Holy Saturday, April 11, the schedule will be reduced to 07:00 – 18:00. 
• On Easter Sunday, April 12, Penny supermarkets will be closed. 
• On Bright Monday, April 13, stores will reopen with hours between 10:00 and 18:00. 

This schedule is similar in most Penny locations in Bucharest and is designed to follow the tradition of non-working holiday days.

For customers who rely on Penny for quick everyday shopping, it is important to note that the schedule is significantly reduced during Easter days, and advance planning is recommended.

Carrefour Easter schedule 2026

Carrefour is one of the largest retail chains in Romania, with hypermarkets, supermarkets, and Express stores spread throughout Bucharest. During Easter 2026, Carrefour stores will undergo schedule changes depending on store type and holiday day.

On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, April 9–10, Carrefour stores will operate between 07:00 and 23:00, allowing extended shopping before the weekend. On Holy Saturday, April 11, the schedule will be reduced, and most stores will be open between 07:00 and 19:00. On Easter Sunday, April 12, Carrefour stores will be closed, following tradition. On Bright Monday, April 13, hypermarkets and supermarkets will operate between 09:00 and 18:00.

It is important to note that the schedule may vary slightly depending on the store format (for example, Carrefour Express may have different hours compared to large hypermarkets), but in general, these time intervals apply to most locations in Bucharest.

Mega Image Easter schedule 2026

Mega Image is one of the supermarket chains with the largest presence in Bucharest, being preferred for its proximity and varied food assortment. For Easter 2026, the Mega Image schedule is as follows:

• On Good Friday, April 10, Mega Image stores will be open between 08:00 and 22:00. 
• On Holy Saturday, April 11, the schedule will be 08:00 – 19:00. 
• On Easter Sunday, April 12, stores will be closed. 
• On Bright Monday, April 13, Mega Image will operate between 09:00 and 19:00. 
• Starting April 14, the schedule will return to normal according to each store’s regular timetable. 

This schedule applies to most Mega Image stores in Bucharest, including those located in residential neighborhoods and near metro stations or main roads.

Kaufland Easter schedule 2026

Kaufland, one of the largest hypermarket chains in Romania, also adjusts its program during the Easter holidays.

During the period April 6–10, 2026, Kaufland stores will generally operate starting from 07:00, with closing hours ranging between 21:30 and 23:00, depending on location.

On Holy Saturday, April 11, most stores will be open between 07:00 and 18:00.

On Easter Sunday, April 12, all Kaufland stores will be closed.

On Bright Monday, April 13, stores will operate a shortened schedule, between 09:00 and 18:00.

This schedule applies to most locations in Romania, including Bucharest, although slight variations may occur depending on the shopping center or city.

Practical shopping tips for Easter

1. Plan ahead

Before Holy Saturday, most supermarkets operate normal or extended hours, which means you have enough time for full shopping. However, on Holy Saturday, the schedule is reduced, and on Easter Sunday stores are closed, so it is advisable to stock up in advance.

2. Check store type

In the case of large chains like Carrefour or Auchan, smaller stores or Express formats may have different schedules compared to main hypermarkets. If you have an Express store nearby, always check the schedule posted in-store or online.

3. Use online options

If you do not want to go physically to the store or if the schedule is too short on certain days, check whether the supermarket offers home delivery or click & collect – many chains provide such options even during the holiday period.

Conclusion

During Holy Week and Easter 2026, supermarkets in Bucharest adjust their schedules to respect traditions and rest days, while also responding to customer needs. Stores such as Lidl, Penny, Carrefour, Auchan, and Mega Image will have extended hours until Holy Saturday, will be closed on Easter Sunday, and will operate with reduced hours on Bright Monday. Planning your shopping in advance will save you time and stress, allowing you to enjoy the holidays peacefully and without worries.

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