Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday closures leave limited options for shopping and services across the Kaiserslautern Military Community this weekend. (Drake Nickels/U.S. Navy)

Easter is a major holiday in Germany and stretches across a long weekend.

On Good Friday and Easter Monday, most German stores, businesses and public offices will be closed. As usual, shops will also be closed on Sunday.

That makes Saturday the only full day to shop off base during the holiday weekend.

Many stores will close by 8 p.m. Thursday in anticipation of the holiday. Grocery stores are expected to be busy Wednesday and Thursday as shoppers stock up ahead of the closures.

Restaurants are typically open, but Easter is a time for family gatherings, so reservations are strongly recommended, especially for Easter Sunday. Public transit will operate on a limited schedule beginning Friday.

While Good Friday and Easter Monday are not U.S. federal holidays, some on-base services may operate on reduced hours or close. Check ahead before heading out.