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Victoria Day is this Monday, May 18 and here is what you need to know about what will be open and closed on the statutory holiday.
Retailers now have the choice to stay open on Victoria Day after recent amendments to Ontario’s Retail Business Holidays Act.
The changes removed Victoria Day as a designated holiday under the act, which governs retail business closures. All existing rights under the Employment Standards Act are maintained.
That means employers can offer employees the option to take the day off or work with time-and-a-half pay.
Meanwhile, this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for many and Environment Canada is calling for highs ranging from 22 to 28 C from Saturday through to Monday.
What’s open
Here is some key information about what’s happening around the city.
Shopping
Major grocery stores can open their doors on Monday, which is a change from previous years, but they may choose to be open fewer hours.
The LCBO will open 304 stores across Ontario from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Customers can use the LCBO store locator to find the hours of operation for Toronto stores.
The Beer Store will open three Toronto locations and five Scarborough locations from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The following malls will be open:
CF Toronto Eaton Centre: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Scarborough Town Centre: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Yorkdale Shopping Centre: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Square One Shopping Centre: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.CF Fairview Mall: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.CF Sherway Gardens: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Vaughan Mills: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cactuses are on display at the Allan Gardens Conservatory in downtown Toronto. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)Transit
The TTC will have holiday service on Monday. That means all TTC routes will operate on their Sunday service schedules, but will start earlier, at about 6 a.m.
Metrolinx and the TTC say Line 6 Finch West will be closed on Friday, May 15 at 2:30 a.m. through Tuesday, May 19 at 4 a.m. Regular service is scheduled to resume at the start of the day on Tuesday. Shuttle buses will operate.
The UP Express will be replaced by replacement GO buses on Saturday, May 16, Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18 due to planned construction. The buses, which will replace trains, will run between Pearson Airport Terminal 1 and Union Station Bus Terminal. The buses will not stop at Bloor, Mount Dennis or Weston stations.
AttractionsAllan Gardens Conservatory: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Centennial Park Conservatory: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riverdale Farm: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.High Park animal display: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Toronto Zoo: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.Ripley’s Aquarium: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.Casa Loma: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CN Tower – observation levels: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
A person looks out toward Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from the observation deck of the CN Tower on May 13, 2026. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)MuseumsRoyal Ontario Museum: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Aga Khan Museum: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Art Gallery of Ontario: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Bata Shoe Museum: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Hockey Hall of Fame: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Fireworks
The city’s fireworks display will take place at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday starting at 10 p.m. Toronto residents are encouraged to take transit to get there.
Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day. A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days.
Fireworks are not allowed in city parks, or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property not owned by the person setting off the fireworks.
WATCH | What to do in Toronto this long weekend:
May long weekend in Toronto includes launch of CaféTO, return of Ashbridges Bay fireworks
There are many things to do around Toronto over the long weekend, including finding a patio for the launch of CaféTO or taking in the Monday night fireworks at Ashbridges Bay. Clara Pasieka has more.CaféTO
CaféTO is back this weekend and the city says it invites residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor dining across Toronto. More than 290 restaurants and bars have registered for the curb-lane café program, according to the city.
Ferries to Toronto islands
The 2026 summer schedule for ferries, with additional service to Centre Island, started Wednesday. Ferry passengers are encouraged to avoid peak times by departing from the mainland before 10 a.m. and returning by 5:30 p.m. Online ticket holders get express entry to the ferry terminal.
A tile from Damascus, Syria, from the first half of the 15th century, is on display at the Aga Khan Museum. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)Festival of Flavours on Toronto’s waterfront
The Festival of Flavours will transform Sugar Beach into a global food celebration, bringing flavours over 50 vendors together in one place. Dates and times: Saturday, May 16, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Monday, May 18, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Golf courses
All five city golf courses will be open throughout the long weekend. Tee times can be booked online up to seven days in advance.
What’s closedMunicipal, provincial and federal government offices.All branches of the Toronto Public Library.Most branches of banks.City community recreation centres, except for L’Amoreaux Tennis Centre, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Regularly scheduled drop-in programs and registered activities will run on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.Canada Post locations, but post offices operated by private businesses will be open according to the hours of the host business. There will be no collection or delivery of mail on Victoria Day.