As Ontario welcomes New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, residents can expect a mix of celebrations across the province. Here is what’s open and closed in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Hamilton, Niagara Region and Durham Region.
If you’re planning a quiet day at home or heading out to eat or explore local attractions, knowing what’s open and closed can help you make the most of the holiday.
From shopping malls and grocery stores to restaurants, public transit and recreation options, here’s everything you need to know about operating hours and closures in Ontario on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Mississauga
On New Year’s Day in Mississauga, several places will be open. This includes Square One Shopping Centre (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Walmart and Whole Foods at Square One. Some smaller grocery stores such as Rabba Fine Foods locations will be open too. Certain Shoppers Drug Mart stores will operate along with the Celebration Square Ice Rink. The Wine Rack at M City and some restaurants may also be open (call ahead to confirm).
However, major shopping centres like Erin Mills Town Centre and Heartland Town Centre will be closed. Most major grocery stores will not operate alongside non-essential government offices (including City Hall), banks, libraries, all LCBOs and Beer Store locations. Canada Post services will also pause along with community centres.
MiWay will follow a Sunday schedule while GO Transit runs on a Saturday schedule. Garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day with all Community Recycling Centres closed.
Toronto
In Toronto on New Year’s Day several places remain open including the Eaton Centre and Pacific Mall. Food options include Rabba Summerhill Market select Whole Foods Wine Rack locations (call ahead) Eataly many cafes restaurants bars may also operate (confirm hours before heading out). Tourist spots such as Ripley’s Aquarium Toronto Zoo ROM Casa Loma AGO Aga Khan Museum Arcadia Earth Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest welcome visitors along with outdoor ice rinks parks trails.
The day sees non-emergency government services closed including City Hall civic centres libraries banks Canada Post services paused as well most major grocery stores St Lawrence Market LCBO Beer Store shopping centres CF Fairview Mall Yorkdale Sherway Gardens Scarborough Town Centre not operating.
TTC follows holiday schedule GO Transit adopts Saturday schedule no garbage collection Jan 1 2026.
Brampton
Brampton sees Gore Meadows Covered Outdoor Skating Rink Chinguacousy Park Skate Recreational Trail Boreham Park rink open Bramalea City Centre most drug stores pharmacies Rabba Fine Foods takeout coffee shops Tim Hortons Starbucks operational (check individual locations for hours) many restaurants operate but calling ahead recommended.
Mainly major stores shut down all major grocery stores Metro Longo’s Shoppers World non-essential government offices City Hall Brampton Library branches banks LCBO Beer Store Canada Post Peel Art Gallery Museum Archives PAMA close Jan 1 waste collection delay one day Brampton Transit follows Sunday/Holiday service GO Transit runs Saturday schedule.
Halton, Burlington Oakville Milton
This area sees places like Toronto Premium Outlets (9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.) local parks outdoor recreational amenities light festivals movie theatres gas stations open Shoppers Drug Mart smaller grocery stores Rabba Starbucks Tim Hortons some restaurants operational but call ahead municipal parking lots available.
A number of places close Oakville Place Mapleview Centre Burlington Centre Milton Mall major grocery banks libraries Beer Stores LCBOs Oakville Museum Milton Sports Centre Mattamy National Cycling arenas Rotary Pond skating rink community centres government offices City Hall/Town Hall shut mail services halt waste collection pauses Jan 1. Oakville Transit runs holiday schedule Burlington Transit operates Sunday/holiday schedule Milton Transit does not run GO Transit adopts Saturday schedule.
Hamilton
Parks trails stay accessible movie theatres skating rinks Bernie Morelli Recreation Serafini Family Ice Pad Dundas Driving Park Freelton Community Waterdown Memorial convenience pharmacies some eateries Splitsville Entertainment invite visitors. Many venues observe closure banks Beer Stores Canada Post federal provincial municipal government Hamilton administration reopens Jan 2 most groceries Farmers’ Market LCBO libraries Civic Museums Lime Ridge Mall recreation centers closed. No waste collection Community Recycling Centers closed Hamilton Street Railway HSR buses run Sunday schedule no service on routes 12 Wentworth 42 Mohawk East DARTS subscriptions cancel except dialysis reservations needed ride New Year GO Transit operates Saturday timetable. Niagara Region, Niagara Falls St Catharines New Year finds St Catharines Niagara Falls Niagara-on-the-Lake Welland Port Colborne businesses especially Niagara Falls enjoy “special tourist area exemption” small groceries convenience gas stations select Shoppers Drug Marts might serve customers check first many Niagara Falls eateries welcome guests call verify Winter Festival Lights cinemas family-oriented tourist attractions consider calls Outlet Collection Pen Centre keep doors ajar. LCBOs Beer Shops main groceries non-essential offices city town halls banking institutions libraries community centers recycling spots arenas malls outside Falls lock doors Fairview Mall St Catharines Seaway Welland wineries breweries maybe check upfront. Garbage pickup halts bus service extends till Dec 31 midnight Welland St Catharines Niagara Falls suspend Niagara Transit operations Jan Go Transport adheres Saturday scheme. Durham Region Most convenience marts certain Shoppers Drug Mart outlets require call confirmation Starbucks Tim Hortons greet customers other cafes dining bars encourage verification cannabis dispensaries ski resorts Ski Lakeridge Dagmar embrace visitors cinemas sights extend warmth. Shopping hubs Oshawa Pickering Centers shutter eateries street-facing doors potential openings suggest inquiry mainstream groceries financial sectors essential governmental tiers including town halls postal functions pause LCBOs beer vendors cease action. Waste pickup shifts forward one day DRT Pulse buses reflect weekend routine Go Transport applies customary Saturday proceedings.
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