The August long weekend is almost here, and it's easily the most confusing holiday on the calendar.
Known as the Civic Holiday, or Simcoe Day in Toronto, it's not a statutory holiday in Ontario. That means while city offices will close, many businesses will stay open, and your employer isn't required to give you the day off.
This year, it falls on Monday, August 4. Unlike other long weekends, many places around Toronto will remain open, including some grocery stores and select LCBO locations. Banks, on the other hand, will be closed.
There's also still lots to do around the city, whether you're planning a laid-back day off or making the most of the extra time.
To make things easier, we've put together a handy guide to what's open and closed in the 6ix this Civic Holiday.
Grocery stores
- Aisle 24: All locations of this cashierless grocery chain are open 24/7, all year round. You'll need to download the app and create a profile to unlock the door.
- Costco: All warehouses are open; however, hours may vary, and deliveries may be impacted. Visit Costco Canada's website for more information.
- Farm Boy: All stores in the GTA are open with modified hours. Visit Farm Boy's website for specific store hours.
- FreshCo: Most stores typically open with varied hours. Check FreshCo's website to see the opening hours for your nearest store.
- Loblaws: Most stores will open with differing hours. Visit Loblaws' store locator to check your local store.
- Longo's: All Longo's locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for two. The Market by Longo's locations at First Canadian Place and Brookfield Place will be closed.
- Metro: Most locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, the Metro College Park (444 Yonge St.) will open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- No Frills: Most stores will open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, it's best to check No Frills' store locator to see the hours of operation for your local store.
- Rabba Fine Foods: Every store is open 24/7, 365 days of the year.
- Real Canadian Superstore: Most stores are open. Visit Real Canadian Superstore's website for more information on opening hours.
- Sobeys: Most of the stores will be open, with a few select locations remaining closed. Check Sobeys' store locator to see how you're affected.
- T&T Supermarket: Most stores generally open with varied hours. Visit T&T Supermarket's website for more details.
- Walmart: All locations across the GTA will be open. Hours may vary, so check Walmart Canada's website.
- Whole Foods: All stores will be open at reduced hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Your Independent Grocer: Most stores are typically open. Visit their website to find out the hours of your nearest store.
Liquor stores
- The Beer Store: These select Beer Stores will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 1718 Wilson Ave. (North York)
- 81 Billy Bishop Way, Unit D3 (North York)
- 6212 Yonge St. (North York)
- 3130 Danforth Ave. (Scarborough)
- 2727 Eglinton Ave. E. (Scarborough)
- 3561 Lawrence Ave. E. (Scarborough)
- 2360 Kennedy Rd. (Scarborough)
- 871 Milner Ave. (Scarborough)
- 452 Bathurst St. (Toronto)
- 2625A Weston Rd. (Toronto)
- 534 Parliament St. (Toronto)
- 529 Oakwood Ave. (York)
- 2153 St. Clair Ave. (York)
- LCBO: Unlike statutory holidays, most LCBO stores will be open. You can find out your local LCBO's opening hours on their website.
- Wine Rack: Select locations will be open. Visit Wine Rack's website for more information on which stores are open near you.
Shopping centres
- CF Toronto Eaton Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Scarborough Town Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Yorkdale Shopping Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- CF Fairview Mall: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- CF Sherway Gardens: Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Toronto Premium Outlets: Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Pacific Mall: Open 365 days of the year.
- Square One: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bramalea City Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Vaughan Mills: Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- CF Markville Shopping Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Promenade Shopping Centre: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Pickering Town Centre: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Erin Mills Town Centre: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Oshawa Centre: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dixie Outlet Mall: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Services
- TTC: Will operate a Sunday service, starting at approximately 6 a.m.
- GO Transit: Will operate a Saturday schedule.
- Banks: All banks are closed.
- Canada Post: Closed on national, provincial, and territorial holidays, with no mail collection or delivery.
- Service Canada: Closed, but you can still access their website.
- ServiceOntario: Closed, but you can still access online services.
- City of Toronto: Most City of Toronto services will be closed.
- Toronto Public Library: Closed on Sunday and Monday.
- Garbage collection and recycling: No service impact to daytime curbside residential collections, and nighttime curbside residential, commercial and premium organics collection. There will be no multi-residential front-end collections on Monday, but they will be collected on Tuesday. Drop-off depots and transfer stations will be closed.
Things to do
- Aga Khan Museum: From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Arcadia Earth: Open Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be free eco-friendly crafts available each day, along with free cotton candy with admission, all weekend long.
- Art Gallery of Ontario: From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Bata Shoe Museum: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Canada's Wonderland: From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday. Splash Works is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Casa Loma: From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last guest admission is at 4:30 p.m.
- Centreville Amusement Park: From 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- CN Tower: From 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- The Distillery Historic District: From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Hockey Hall of Fame: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Ripley's Aquarium of Canada: From 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- The Royal Canadian Circus: There will be nine shows under the big top at The Promenade Shopping Centre from Friday to Monday. Show times are: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., and Monday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Toronto Zoo: From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
No matter how you're spending it, have a great Simcoe Day, Toronto!
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