Family Day 2026 in Hamilton: What’s Open and Closed

Family Day in Hamilton and across Ontario will be observed on Monday, February 16, 2026.

This holiday isn’t recognized at the federal level but is a statutory holiday in most provinces on the third Monday of February. Different provinces have their own names for this day, celebrating various themes.

Family Day is celebrated in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan. In Manitoba, it’s known as Louis Riel Day; Nova Scotia calls it Heritage Day; while Prince Edward Island observes Islander Day.

The idea for Family Day came during the Ontario provincial election of 2007 when Dalton Mc Guinty of the Liberal Party promised to create a provincial holiday in February if he was re-elected as premier. He kept that promise.

However, Family Day doesn’t necessarily increase the total number of holidays that Ontarians enjoy since employers can replace any existing non-statutory holidays with this one. Many businesses have opted to replace Civic Holiday, which occurs on the first Monday in August.

Here’s what’s open and closed in Hamilton on Family Day 2026.

Open

Canada Post Most convenience stores and drug stores Federal government offices Hamilton Civic Museums: Some recreation centres will be open, including Bennetto Recreation Centre, Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre, Stoney Creek Recreation Centre, Valley Park Recreation Centre and Westmount Recreation Centre Select arenas and centres will host public skates and swims for Family Day (you can find details here) Restaurants, cafes and bars that usually operate on Mondays (but it’s wise to call ahead to confirm) Royal Botanical Gardens The Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park

Closed

Banks All Beer Store locations All LCBO locations City of Hamilton administrative offices Hamilton Farmer’s Market Most major grocery stores Libraries Many large malls like CF Lime Ridge Municipal parking enforcement Ontario Works Provincial government offices Service Ontario Animal Services

Mail delivery

Your mail delivery won’t be affected since it falls under federal services.

Transit

Hamilton Street Railway buses will run on a Sunday service schedule with last trips from downtown around midnight. There won’t be service on Route 12 Wentworth or Route 42 Mohawk East. Trans-Cab service will follow HSR’s Sunday schedules. DARTS will operate with holiday hours; all DARTS subscription trips are canceled except for dialysis rides. GO Transit will also run a Saturday schedule.

Waste and recycling

There won’t be any garbage or recycling collection on February 16. Waste pickup will occur one day later. Community Recycling Centres are closed.

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