For most Ottawans there will be very few surprises here but we have compiled a comprehensive guide to what’s open and closed in the Ottawa area on Canada Day 2025 (Tuesday, July 1). This is a super easy way to quickly find the answers to your Canada Day shopping and activity questions as well as transit, attractions, and more to help you plan your national holiday.
A very quick note before we get started (the most common questions answered) is that the LCBO is closed on Canada Day and OC Transpo is celebrating Canada Day with free transit on the O-Train, buses and Para Transpo all day. O-Train Line 1 will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., with enhanced frequency in the evening. Lines 2 and 4 will operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., one hour longer than normal.
@Chelsey Faucher/Unplash or @Chalex95/Unsplash.
Shopping Malls & Retail
Open:
- Rideau Centre: 10 am–6 pm
- Tanger Outlets: 10 am–6 pm
- Farm Boy (Rideau Centre): 10 am–6 pm
- Whole Foods Market (Lansdowne): 8 am–6 pm
- Loblaws (Rideau Street): 7 am–10 pm
- Loblaws (Isabella Street): 7 am–8 pm
- The Beer Store: Select locations open 11 am–6 pm
- Byward Market and Glebe stores may be open
Closed:
- Bayshore Shopping Centre
- Billings Bridge Shopping Centre
- Carlingwood Shopping Centre
- Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre
- St. Laurent Shopping Centre
- LCBO: All locations closed
- Sparks Street pedestrian mall
Grocery Stores & Alcohol
Open:
- Farm Boy (Rideau Centre): 10 am–6 pm
- Whole Foods Market (Lansdowne): 8 am–6 pm
- Loblaws (Rideau Street): 7 am–10 pm
- Loblaws (Isabella Street): 7 am–8 pm
- The Beer Store: Select locations open 11 am–6 pm
- These Beer Store outlets will be open:
- 2018 Ogilvie Rd.
- 499 Terry Fox Dr.
- 3500 Fallowfield Rd.
- 2276 Tenth Line Rd.
- 1860 Bank St.
- 1984 Baseline Rd.
- 548 Montreal Rd.
- 515 Somerset St. W.
Closed:
- LCBO: All locations closed
Transit & City Services
- OC Transpo: Free service all day, operating on a Sunday schedule until 4 am the next day. O-Train Line 1 and Line 2 (bus) will have increased evening service until 1 am.
- Para Transpo: Operating with free service until 4 am the next day.
- City of Ottawa Services:
- Recreation Facilities: Most community centres and indoor pools are closed. Outdoor pools, splash pads, and beaches (Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, and Petrie Island) are open with lifeguards on duty from noon to 7 pm.
- Museums: Most city-operated museums are closed.
- Garbage Collection: No curbside collection on Canada Day.
Ottawa Attractions & Activities
Open:
- Canadian Museum of Nature: 9:30 am–5 pm, free admission.
- Canada Agriculture and Food Museum: 9:30 am–5 pm, free admission.
- Canada Science and Technology Museum: 9 am–5 pm, free admission.
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum: 9 am–5 pm, free admission.
- Canadian War Museum: 9 am–7 pm, free admission.
- Canadian Museum of History: 9 am–7 pm, free admission.
- National Gallery of Canada: 9:30 am–5 pm, free admission.
- The Diefenbunker: 10 am–3 pm, discounted admission.
- The Bytown Museum: 10 am–4 pm.
- Outdoor Pools & Beaches: Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, and Petrie Island beaches open with lifeguards from noon to 7 pm.
Restaurants & Bars
- Open: Many restaurants and bars in downtown Ottawa and the ByWard Market area remain open. It’s advisable to check with individual establishments for their holiday hours.
- Closed: Some chain restaurants and suburban locations may be closed. It’s recommended to verify with specific locations in advance.
Quick and Easy Summary
| Category | Open | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Malls | Rideau Centre, Tanger Outlets | Bayshore, Billings Bridge, Carlingwood, Place d’Orléans, St. Laurent |
| Grocery Stores | Farm Boy (Rideau Centre), Whole Foods (Lansdowne), Loblaws (Rideau & Isabella) | LCBO, all other large grocery stores |
| Transit | OC Transpo (free service, Sunday schedule) | — |
| City Services | Outdoor pools, splash pads, beaches (with lifeguards), some recreation facilities | Most community centers, indoor pools, museums, garbage collection |
| Attractions | Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, The Diefenbunker, The Bytown Museum, outdoor pools and beaches | — |
| Restaurants & Bars | Many downtown and ByWard Market establishments | Some suburban locations and chain restaurants |
Lead photo Sparks Street pedestrian mall. Photo by Nabil Saleh on Unsplash
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