Quick Read
- Major Philippine malls will close entirely on April 2 and 3, 2026, for the Holy Week observance.
- Select SM Supermarkets and Hypermarkets are maintaining limited hours on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to provide essential services.
- Standard retail operations across most major shopping centers are scheduled to resume on April 4, 2026.
Major retail operators across the Philippines are suspending standard mall operations on April 2 and April 3, 2026, in observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The closures, which affect prominent hubs in Metro Manila and Cebu, are part of the annual adjustment to accommodate the country’s most significant religious holiday.
Navigating Retail Closures During Holy Week 2026
Shoppers planning to visit major centers—including those managed by SM, Ayala, and Rockwell—should anticipate widespread closures. Most department stores and standard mall facilities will cease operations entirely on April 2 and 3. While some leisure and retail spaces will remain shuttered, specific essential services, particularly those located within SM properties, are maintaining limited hours to provide access to necessities.
Essential Grocery Access and Supermarket Schedules
For those requiring essential goods, several SM Supermarkets and Hypermarkets have confirmed adjusted operating hours despite the broader mall closures. In Metro Manila, SM Aura and SM North EDSA supermarkets are scheduled to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on April 2, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 3. Similar protocols are in effect in Cebu, where SM City Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu, and SM City Consolacion are keeping their supermarkets open with the same 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. windows.
Resumption of Regular Mall Operations
Retail activity is expected to return to normal schedules starting April 4, 2026, which marks Black Saturday. Most malls, including Greenbelt, Glorietta, and various SM locations, have announced a transition back to standard operating hours—typically 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.—beginning on this day and continuing through Easter Sunday. Consumers are advised to check the official social media channels of specific establishments, as individual restaurant hours may vary even within malls that are otherwise closed.
The widespread suspension of retail operations highlights the profound influence of religious observance on national commerce in the Philippines, effectively pausing the country’s consumer economy for a 48-hour period to prioritize traditional activities and family time.