Thanksgiving Day Hours: What’s Open and Closed in Ottawa

As Thanksgiving Day approaches on October 13, 2025, many in Ottawa are preparing for the long weekend. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what services and businesses will be open or closed in the city on this holiday.

Public Transportation Updates

OC Transpo will operate on a Sunday schedule for buses and O-Train services on Thanksgiving Day. O-Train Line 1 will run from 08:00 to 23:00, while Lines 2 and 4 will be available from 07:30 to 23:30. Notably, the Rural Shopper Route 103 will not be in service on this day. The OC Transpo customer service centre will be open for inquiries from 10:00 to 18:00. Additionally, regular bookings and recurring trips for Para Transpo are automatically cancelled; users can still arrange trips by calling 613-560-5000 or via the My Para Transpo app.

Collection Services and Government Offices

Curbside green bin, recycling, and garbage collection will not occur on Thanksgiving Day. Residents should note that pickups will shift to Tuesday, resulting in a one-day delay for the remainder of the week. However, multi-residential garbage containers will be collected as scheduled. The Trail Waste Facility Landfill will remain open on Monday from 09:00 to 17:00.

In terms of government services, the 3-1-1 Contact Centre will operate for urgent matters only. Most Service Ontario Client Service centres and the Provincial Offences Court at 100 Constellation Dr. will be closed. Additionally, the Business Licensing Centre at 735 Industrial Ave. will also not be open, nor will the City of Ottawa spay and neuter clinic at 26 Concourse Gate.

Shopping and Dining Options

For those looking to shop, the Rideau Centre will welcome customers from 10:00 until 18:00 on Monday. The Tanger Outlets will open its doors Friday through Monday, while other shopping centres, including Bayshore, Billings Bridge, Carlingwood, St. Laurent, and Place d’Orléans, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

In the ByWard Market and the Glebe, individual stores are permitted to operate on the holiday. Grocery options include Farm Boy at the Rideau Centre, open from 10:00 to 19:00, and Metro locations on Bank Street and Rideau Street, operating from 09:00 to 18:00 and 08:00 to 18:00, respectively. Loblaws on Isabella and Rideau will also be open, as will Whole Foods at Lansdowne.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Several cultural institutions will welcome visitors over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canadian War Museum, and Canadian Museum of History will all be open from Friday through Monday. The National Gallery will also be open, while the Ottawa Art Gallery is available Friday through Sunday. The Bytown Museum will operate on Friday and Saturday, and the Diefenbunker will be open Friday to Sunday.

As residents and visitors plan their Thanksgiving festivities, it is essential to check the schedules and availability of services. This holiday offers a time for reflection and celebration, and understanding what is open can help facilitate enjoyable plans.