Thanksgiving Monday has arrived, and many shops, businesses, government offices, and services will either be closed or have shorter hours throughout Toronto and southern Ontario today.
This year, Thanksgiving is on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, with various closures and special hours expected in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Halton, Durham, Niagara, and other cities across Ontario.
Canada officially recognized Thanksgiving as an annual holiday on Nov. 6, 1879. It is traditionally celebrated on the second Monday of October.
In 1957, Governor General Vincent Massey made a proclamation that the second Monday of October would be a day of thanksgiving for Canada’s annual harvest.
Thanksgiving is a public holiday in Ontario and most parts of Canada; however, its status varies in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
Here’s what you can expect to be open or closed this Thanksgiving Monday:
Mississauga
In Mississauga on Oct. 12, several places will remain open including Square One Shopping Centre (this includes Walmart Supercentre as well as Food District and Rec Room locations within the mall), Whole Foods Square One, T& T Supermarket along with most cafes, restaurants and bars that usually operate on Mondays (it’s best to call ahead to check), some smaller grocery stores (like Rabba locations), most Shoppers Drug Mart outlets, YMCA facilities along with movie theatres plus most gas stations and convenience stores.
However, all levels of government offices including City Hall will be closed. Non-emergency services run by the Region of Peel will also close down. Most major grocery stores will not be open along with significant shopping malls (including Erin Mills Town Centre, Dixie Outlet Mall and Heartland Town Centre). There won’t be any mail delivery or pick-up from Canada Post either. Banks will also be closed as well as libraries and community centres along with all LCBO and Beer Store locations plus the 311 citizen contact centre service.
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If you’re commuting today note that GO Transit will follow a Saturday schedule while Mi Way operates under a regular Sunday timetable. The Region of Peel Trans Help office won’t be open but service will still run from 6 a. m.-1 a. m. on Monday Oct. 12.
No waste collection is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
Brampton
Brampton residents can visit Bramalea City Centre along with most Shoppers Drug Mart locations or some smaller grocery stores (like Rabba). Movie theatres are open too as well as some recreational facilities (it’s wise to call ahead first), YMCA spots plus most cafes restaurants and bars that usually serve customers on Mondays (make sure to confirm by calling). Parks trails are available for enjoyment too.
On Oct. 12 Shoppers World will stay closed just like many large grocery stores banks libraries (all Brampton Library branches are shut Sunday-Monday) animal services along with all non-essential federal provincial regional or municipal offices including City Hall. Other closures include LCBO & Beer Store outlets Canada Post services (with no mail pickup or delivery) plus PAMA – Peel Art Gallery Museum Archives.
Brampton Transit follows a Sunday service schedule today while major transit terminals – including lost-and-found access – are shut down completely. Any Trans Help trip requests for Oct. 12 & Oct.13 must get booked by July p. m. on Oct.11. GO Transit runs according to Saturday schedules too.
No garbage or recycling collection takes place today either!
Halton – Oakville Burlington Milton Halton Hills
This Thanksgiving those living in Halton can explore local parks alongside certain outdoor recreational amenities like some Shoppers Drug Mart locations plus eateries/bars/cafes typically serving food takeout/delivery options especially on Mondays (remember it’s smart to call first!), smaller grocery shops like Rabba supermarkets among others; also YMCA establishments conservation areas like Crawford Lake Hilton Falls Kelso Mount Nemo Mountsberg Rattlesnake Point Terra Cotta Conservation Area located near Halton Hills alongside Toronto Premium Outlets cinemas – all welcoming guests!
A variety of places though remain closed such as banks city/town halls every non-essential federal provincial regional municipal agency humane societies/animal shelters community centers senior centers pools arenas libraries all liquor control board/beer store venues performing arts center/cycling complexes indoor pools located at Burlington Milton Mall Burlington Center Mapleview Mall Oakville Place should you need them during your travels!
For public transport use during this time period Oakville Transit provides holiday service Burlington follows standard Sunday routing while Milton doesn’t operate & GO Transit continues offering their Saturday framework.
No waste collection occurs October twelfth! p >
Hamilton p >
Residents residing within Hamilton may visit theaters participating movie showings/shopping experiences via Shoppers Drug Mart enjoy dining/bar offerings typical neighborhoods serving patrons whom venture out during weekdays(suggest confirming before hand) Splitsville bowling alleys YMCA properties parks walking trails/conservation areas(Christie Lake Crooks’ Hollow Devil’s Punchbowl Dundas Valley Fletcher Creek Spencer Gorge among others )and typical convenience store operations/gas stations remaining operational throughout journey! p >
Many retailers do close for thanks giving comprising majority large grocers Lime Ridge Mall Eastgate Square Jackson Square bank branches library service providers entirety liquor control board beer outlets recreation/community spaces Hamilton Civic Museums Tropical Greenhouse Gage Park non-urgent governmental agencies(City Hall included)alongside postal deliveries(freight & packages not being sent out) whereas Farmers’ Market collections occur presently amid ongoing situations present at Animal Services office counter respectively! p >
Transit users should prepare accordingly HSR employs weekday schedules Today simultaneously offering GO Transport using similar protocols previously mentioned above ensuring reliable journeys without delays encountered whilst traveling about ! Waste/recycling collections postponed till next day Tuesday following respective holidays observed here! p >
Durham
Within Durham Region there’s plenty opportunities stop into cafés restaurants bars popular amongst visitors checking availability beforehand perhaps catching films at Cineplex theaters stationed Bowmanville Oshawa Ajax Pickering Landmark Cinema Whitby operating normally alongside multiple shoppers drug mart stores outdoor activities found nearby facilities parks/trails(like Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Oak Ridges Moraine YMCAs craft breweries recreational centers Harmon Arena Delpark Homes Community Center Mc Lean Community Center Ajax convenience shops local attractions including Oshawa Zoo visiting casinos nearby Pickering Resort Ajax Casino Blue Heron Casino Scugog-lots happening altogether !)</ ,“
” ” However certain establishments shall remain closed involving banking institutions federal/state authorities(excluding town/city halls altogether ) postings from Canada Post(no pickups/deliveries made ), library systems art museums Service Oshawa Humane Society covering regions affected fully !” “
” ” Observe transit updates where both Durham Region Pulse shall adhere closely towards holiday-based guidelines focusing primarily around regular bus routes running firmly routed maintaining schedules overall performance resembling previous mentions above!” “
” “Blue box collections meant planned Tuesday reschedule effectively attributed solely toward Whitby/Oshawa audience before any disruptions arise thereafter.” “
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