Easter is a major holiday in Norway, and it looks a little different than what many visitors are used to. We call it Påske, and it is both a family celebration and a national week of escape to cabins and ski trails. Because of this, store schedules shift quite a bit, and the country slows down in a very noticeable way.
Here is the short version if you just want the answer: most stores are closed from Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday, with Holy Saturday open but on shorter hours. Easter Sunday is closed almost everywhere, except for small Sunday-open groceries, kiosks, and gas stations. If you need wine or liquor from Vinmonopolet, buy it by Wednesday. Plan your big grocery run no later than Wednesday as well.
If you want the full picture plus local tips from someone who has spent a lifetime shopping through Norwegian Easter, read on. Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of opening times during the Easter holiday in Norway.
What Easter Week Looks Like in Norway
Easter in Norway is more than a weekend. Schools often close for most of Holy Week, and many workplaces slow down or take extra days off. The key dates are:
- Palm Sunday: the Sunday before Easter week. Normal Sunday trading rules apply.
- Monday to Wednesday: regular business days with normal opening hours.
- Maundy Thursday: public holiday, shops are closed.
- Good Friday: public holiday, shops are closed.
- Holy Saturday: open, but with shorter hours for most places.
- Easter Sunday: public holiday, shops are closed.
- Easter Monday: public holiday, shops are closed.
These are national rules, but opening hours can still vary from town to town. Ski resort areas like Trysil, Hemsedal, and Hafjell often have more places open to serve visitors, and coastal cabin areas may also keep small shops running. Even then, public holiday rules still apply, which means you will rely more on small-format stores and service stations.
Grocery Stores: What To Expect Day by Day
Norwegian grocery chains like Kiwi, Rema 1000, Coop, and Meny follow broadly similar patterns. Use this as a practical guide:
- Monday to Wednesday: normal hours. Many stores extend staffing and stock levels because everyone is preparing to disappear to the mountains or the coast. Expect crowds and empty shelves in popular items after work.
- Maundy Thursday and Good Friday: closed. Plan ahead.
- Holy Saturday: open with short hours. Typical closing is early afternoon to early evening. Do not risk a late afternoon run.
- Easter Sunday: closed, except for small Sunday-open stores and some kiosks and gas stations.
- Easter Monday: closed. Regular hours resume on Tuesday.
My local tip: If you need something specific for a recipe or a special diet, buy it by Tuesday. By Wednesday evening, the selection starts thinning, especially in mountain towns where everyone stocks up at the same time.
The “Sunday-Open” Exception Explained
Norway has a clear rule: most stores cannot open on Sundays and public holidays. The main exception is for small shops under 100 square meters. These mini-groceries exist in most neighborhoods and are a lifesaver on holidays. You also have kiosks and gas stations, which often carry basic groceries, bread, milk, eggs, and simple ready-to-eat items.
What this means in practice:
- Prices might be higher, and selection is limited.
- Lines get long on Holy Saturday afternoon and on holiday mornings.
- In tourist areas, these shops can be very crowded right after the lifts close.
If you are traveling with kids or have dietary needs, pack essentials before the holiday closures begin. Bring snacks, fruit, and breakfast basics so no one starts the day hangry.
Shopping Malls and Non-Grocery Retail
Norwegian shopping centers and standalone retail stores follow the holiday closures strictly. From Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday, expect malls and most retail to be closed. Holy Saturday brings shortened hours, often ending mid-afternoon. On the Tuesday after Easter, everything springs back to normal.
If you need outdoor gear or a last-minute ski item, buy it by Wednesday. Ski resorts generally keep rental shops and some sports stores open on the holiday days, but city stores will be shut.
Pharmacies and Health Services
Regular pharmacies close on the public holidays. Major towns operate duty pharmacies with limited hours for urgent needs. You will always find essential over-the-counter items at the duty pharmacy, and some gas stations stock simple first-aid supplies.
If you have prescriptions, refill by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. For non-urgent healthcare, expect reduced availability until after Easter Monday.
Cafes, Restaurants, and Bakeries
Food service is more flexible than retail, especially in travel hotspots. Many cafes and restaurants open with holiday hours and reduced menus, particularly on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. In cities like Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, you will still find good options, but not every place operates.
Bakeries are a bright spot. Quite a few artisan bakeries open on Holy Saturday for fresh bread and pastries. In ski towns, the bakeries and coffee bars are often buzzing each morning. If you have your heart set on a particular brunch spot, check hours and make a booking.
Alcohol Sales: Groceries and Vinmonopolet
Norwegian alcohol rules catch many visitors by surprise, and Easter brings extra wrinkles.
- Wine and liquor are sold only by Vinmonopolet. It closes on public holidays and is typically open Monday to Wednesday in Holy Week, as well as Holy Saturday with shorter hours. It is closed on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.
- Beer and cider under 4.7 percent can be sold in groceries, but only during limited hours. On Saturdays, beer sales end earlier than on weekdays, and the day before a public holiday often follows Saturday-style cutoffs. Since Holy Saturday is a Saturday, expect the early cutoff.
- Practical rule of thumb: buy all alcohol by Wednesday, and if you miss that, try Holy Saturday morning. Bring ID, since stores are strict about age checks.
Public Transport and Taxis
Transport runs on holiday or Sunday schedules during Easter. Trains and long-distance buses operate, but with fewer departures. City buses and trams run less frequently, and late-night services can be limited. Taxis are available but cost more, and there can be waits in mountain towns at peak times. If you are connecting to a ferry or an airport bus, check the schedule carefully and allow extra time.
Planning Tips From a Local
- Do your main shop on Tuesday or Wednesday. By then you have a clear plan for meals and activities, and stores are still fully stocked.
- Treat Holy Saturday like a half day. Get any shopping done in the morning, and assume doors close earlier than you think.
- Scout your nearest Sunday-open shop. Look up the closest small grocery or gas station before the holidays start. It saves stress later.
- Buy fuel and firewood early. In cabin areas, gas stations can get very busy. If your rental uses wood heat, grab a bag before you drive up.
- If you need special items, bring them from the city. Gluten-free, lactose-free, or niche international ingredients are easier to find before you head out of town.
- For families, pack emergency breakfasts. Bread, spreads, fruit, yogurt. This covers you if plans change or shops are closed longer than expected.
- Book restaurants in resorts. Walk-ins are hit or miss on the core holiday days.
Typical Dates and How To Check Each Year
Easter moves between late March and April. In Norway, the holiday closures always fall on the same weekday pattern, so you can plan by the weekday names even before you memorize the year’s dates. Once the calendar is set, plug in Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday and mark them as full closure days, with Holy Saturday as a short-hours day.
If you are building an itinerary months in advance, it is smart to reserve accommodation and transport first, then set a reminder to finalize restaurant bookings and shopping lists a week before Easter. That last-week window is when stores publish their exact holiday hours.
Special Note for Ski Resorts and Coastal Cabin Areas
Tourist hubs bend toward convenience. In ski resorts, you will usually find:
- Small grocery formats and sports shops open daily, but with holiday-style hours.
- Rental shops operating every day of Easter, often from morning to late afternoon.
- Cafes and après-ski places open, though sometimes with reduced menus or earlier closing.
Along the coast, look for the same pattern near marinas and cabin clusters. Still, the safest move is to arrive stocked, then top up as needed at the local mini-market or gas station.
What Actually Stays Open
To sum up the pattern without spoiling the details above: small Sunday-open groceries, kiosks, gas stations, duty pharmacies, and many cafes and restaurants in tourist areas. Everything else treats Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday as true public holidays. Holy Saturday is your short-hours window to fix whatever you forgot.
If you follow just one rule, make it this: shop like a Norwegian and finish the big errands by Wednesday. It keeps Easter restful, the way we like it.