Victoria Day is a federal holiday in Canada that celebrates the official birthday of Queen Victoria, marking the beginning of the summer season. On this day, most offices, including administrative, licensing, and bylaw services, will be closed in areas such as Hamilton, Burlington, and the Niagara Region. Waste collection services will operate one day later, and public transportation, such as HSR buses and GO Transit, will have reduced schedules. Ontario Works and some recreation centres will also be closed, but attractions like the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will remain open.
In Burlington, some city services like parks, roads, and forestry will be closed, while essential services will continue as needed. Certain recreation centres and outdoor facilities will be operational on a limited schedule, and free parking will be available in the downtown core. Public transit in Burlington will operate on a holiday schedule, and some government offices, including city halls and administration buildings, will be closed. The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre will have adjusted hours, as will Niagara Regional Transit.
Major grocery stores and drug stores, such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, will have some locations open on Victoria Day. Most shopping malls in the region will be closed, with some exceptions like the Outlet Collection at Niagara Falls and CF Toronto Eaton Centre being open. Walmart locations in the GTHA will be closed, except for the Niagara Falls Supercentre. The Beer Store will have select locations open, while LCBO stores will be closed. The Wine Rack will have some Niagara Region locations open, along with certain stores in Hamilton and the GTA.
Tourist destinations like Niagara Falls and Toronto will have various attractions open on Victoria Day. In Niagara Falls, activities like the Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara City Cruises, and the Butterfly Conservatory will be accessible. In Toronto, attractions like the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science Centre, and Ripley’s Aquarium will be open with adjusted hours. The Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Aga Khan Museum will also have limited hours of operation on the holiday.
