Canada is turning 159 years old on Wednesday.
There will be plenty of events and fireworks taking over Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area this Canada Day. However, since it is a statutory holiday, there will also be numerous business closures.
Here is what you need to know:
What’s open?
Some grocery stores, like Pusateri’s, Rabba Fine Foods, Summerhill Market, and T&T Supermarket, will be open. The Wine Rack will also be open, and select Shoppers Drug Marts and Rexall locations. Check your local store to see what their hours are.
Attractions
The Toronto Blue Jays will take on the New York Mets for a Canada Day game at Rogers Centre, starting at 3:07 p.m. Outside of the game, these attractions will also be open:
- Aga Khan Museum from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- Arcadia Earth from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.
- Art Gallery of Ontario from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Canada’s Wonderland from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., with Splash Works operating from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Casa Loma from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- CN Tower from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. (with last entry at 9:30 p.m.)
- Hockey Hall of Fame from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Museum of Contemporary Art from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Ontario Science Centre from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Ripley’s Aquarium from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m.
- Royal Ontario Museum from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
- Toronto Zoo from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Malls
- Bramalea City Centre from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Eaton Centre from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
- Markville from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Pacific Mall from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- Promenade Shopping Centre from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Square One Shopping Centre from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Toronto Premium Outlets from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
- Upper Canada Mall from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Vaughan Mills from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
What’s closed?
Since Canada Day is a statutory holiday, all banks and government-run offices, including libraries and the LCBO, will be closed that day. There is also no mail delivery on Wednesday.
Some malls will also be closed on Wednesday, including Dufferin Mall, Fairview Mall, Lime Ridge Mall, Mapleview Centre, Scarborough Town Centre, Sherway Gardens, Shops at Don Mills and Yorkdale. St. Lawrence Market will also be closed.
How to celebrate Canada Day
Those looking to celebrate the nation’s birthday without having to cut into their time watching World Cup matches can head to Nathan Phillips Square, with a Round of 32 game live broadcast starting at 8 p.m. The city says there will be no fireworks here.
There are a few spots throughout Toronto and the GTA to watch fireworks on Wednesday night:
- Amesbury Park, located at 151 Culford Rd., North York, at 10 p.m.
- Ashbridges Bay Park, located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E., Toronto, at 10 p.m.
- Bayfront Park, located at 200 Harbour Front Dr., Hamilton, with fireworks happening after sunset
- Canada’s Wonderland, located at 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr., Vaughan, at 10 p.m.
- Chinguacousy Park, located at 9050 Bramalea Rd., Brampton, at 10 p.m.
- Downsview Park, located at Festival Terrace, North York, at 9:55 p.m.
- Harbourfront Centre, located at 235 Queens Quay W., Toronto, at 10:45 p.m.
- Mel Lastman Square, located at 5100 Yonge St., North York, at 10 p.m.
- Milliken Park, located at 5555 Steeles Ave. E., Scarborough, at 10 p.m.
- Mississauga Celebration Square, located at 300 City Centre Dr., Mississauga, at 10 p.m.
- Stan Wadlow Park, located at 888 Cosburn Ave., East York, at 10 p.m.
Most venues displaying fireworks shows are also hosting events throughout the day, including live musical performances.
Public transit
The TTC will be running on a holiday schedule, operating on Sunday service hours starting at around 6 a.m. The transit network says there are no planned closures for Wednesday, adding that there will be enhanced bus service to Woodbine Park and Ashbridges Bay Park for Canada Day celebrations.
GO Trains will be operating on a Saturday schedule on Canada Day. Metrolinx urges commuters to check their routes before heading out as some lines do not offer weekend service.
