What's open and closed in Toronto during the 2024 holiday season

Trying to plan a holiday commute? Hoping to grab some last-minute food or booze? Looking for some activities to minimize awkward interactions with your in-laws or keep your children entertained?

To help you navigate the holiday schedule, CBC Toronto has compiled a list of what's open and closed, when and where, this season.

City services

As you'd likely expect, city hall and most municipal government services will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Libraries and post offices will also be closed on those days.

Emergency services and 311 will run uninterrupted.

Malls

Malls will be closed Christmas Day, but most will operate on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Here are some major shopping centres following that schedule:

• Eaton Centre.

• Fairview Mall.

• Sherway Gardens.

• Shops at Don Mills.

• Vaughan Mills.

• Square One Shopping Centre.

• Toronto Premium Outlets.

These sites are closed on New Year's Day:

• Scarborough Town Centre.

• Yorkdale.

• Dufferin Mall.

• Dixie Outlet Mall.

Many pharmacies will remain open on Christmas Day with reduced hours.

The Distillery District Christmas Market is closed Christmas Day, while St. Lawrence Market is closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Activities and attractions

The AGO is closed on Dec. 25. It will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.

The ROM is closed on Christmas Day. It is open all other days from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The CN Tower is open throughout the holidays, operating from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is open throughout the holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Toronto Zoo is open on a reduced schedule on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On all other days, the zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The High Park Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Aga Khan Museum is closed on Christmas Day. It is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 1.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26, but closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Canada's Wonderland Winterfest is closed on Christmas Day. It is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.

Toronto History Museums are closed for all statutory holidays.

Riverdale Farm is open throughout the holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public transit

On all holiday days, the TTC will operate on its Sunday service schedule. Subway service begins at 8 a.m. on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Specific schedule details are available on the TTC's website.

A reminder: the TTC is free from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 through to 8 a.m. on Jan. 1.

GO Transit, meanwhile, will be operating on its Saturday schedule on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Passengers are advised to check their specific route's schedule to plan their trips.

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Grocery stores

Here's what to expect from your local grocer:

• Dec. 24, most locations open at reduced hours, check your local store.

• Dec. 25, most locations closed, but all Rabba Fine Foods locations will remain open.

• Dec. 26, most locations open at reduced hours, check your local store.

Liquor

LCBOs will have regular hours with the following exceptions:

• Dec. 24, stores close at 6 p.m.

• Dec. 25, all stores are closed.

• Dec. 26, select stores will be open. You can check for the nearest open location here.

• Dec. 31, stores close at 6 p.m.

• Jan. 1, all stores are closed.

The Beer Store will be open as follows:

• Dec. 24, most stores close at 6 p.m. but select stores close at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
  Dec. 25, all stores are closed.
  Dec. 26, some stores will open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  Dec. 31, most stores close at 6 p.m. but select stores close at 5 p.m.
  Jan. 1, all stores are closed.

Select Wine Rack locations will also be open on Christmas Day. Check your local store here.

Garbage pickup

There is no garbage collection on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. All scheduled collection will be bumped back by one day:

• Wednesday, Dec. 25 collection moves to Thursday, Dec. 26.

• Thursday, Dec. 26 collection moves to Friday, Dec. 27.

• Friday, Dec. 27 collection moves to Saturday, Dec. 28.

• Wednesday, Jan. 1 collection moves to Thursday, Jan. 2.

• Thursday, Jan. 2 collection moves to Friday, Jan. 3.

• Friday, Jan. 3 collection moves to Saturday, Jan. 4.

The city's transfer stations and drop-off depots are closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.