Thanksgiving in Ottawa: What’s Open and Closed

Monday, October 14 marks Thanksgiving in Canada, falling on the second Monday of the month. This year, the holiday comes especially late, and residents of Ottawa can expect several changes to the usual schedule of services and activities.

Most grocery stores in Ottawa will remain closed on Thanksgiving Monday, though locations such as Whole Foods at Lansdowne Park, Farm Boy at Rideau Centre, Loblaws on Isabella Street, and Metro on Rideau Street are exceptions and will stay open.

For those looking to purchase alcohol, it may prove challenging as Beer Store and LCBO outlets will not operate on the holiday. However, some rural locations and participating grocery stores will continue to offer alcohol sales.

Pharmacies present a mixed picture with select Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall locations opening on Monday. It is advisable to check the specific holiday hours for each branch.

Shopping centers will also vary, with Bayshore, Place d'Orléans, and St. Laurent malls closing their doors. Meanwhile, Rideau Centre and Tanger Outlets will welcome shoppers, though individual store hours may differ.

Museums and galleries around Ottawa provide a cultural escape, as the National Gallery of Canada and various museums focused on agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science, and war will open to visitors. In contrast, the Ottawa Art Gallery and Diefenbunker will not.

On the municipal services front, Ottawa Public Library branches and municipal child care centers will shut for the day. Meanwhile, Ottawa Public Health and banking institutions will observe the holiday with many closures, though ATM services might remain functional.

The City’s parking regulations will remain in effect throughout Thanksgiving, and transit schedules might see modifications.