New Year’s Day in Ontario Cities: What’s Open & Closed Jan. 1, 2025
Published January 1, 2025 at 7:52 am
As Ontario welcomes Jan. 1, 2025, New Year’s Day brings a mix of celebrations and closures across the province.
RELATED: Jan. 1 weather: Over 10 cm of snow possible on New Year’s Day in southern Ontario
Whether you’re planning a quiet day at home, venturing out for a bite to eat, or exploring local attractions, knowing what’s open and closed can help you make the most of the holiday.
From shopping malls and grocery stores to restaurants, public transit, and recreation options, here’s everything you need to know about operating hours and closures in Ontario on Jan. 1, 2025.
Here is what’s open and closed in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Hamilton, Niagara Region and Durham Region:
- Mississauga
- Toronto
- Brampton
- Halton – Burlington, Oakville, Milton
- Hamilton
- Niagara Region – Niagara Falls, St Catharines
- Durham Region
Open
On New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2025), several places in Mississauga will be open, including Square One Shopping Centre (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Walmart and Whole Foods at Square One, select smaller grocery stores like Rabba, certain Shoppers Drug Marts, the Celebration Square Ice Rink, and some restaurants (call ahead).
Closed
Major shopping centres like Erin Mills Town Centre and Heartland Town Centre, most major grocery stores, government offices (including City Hall), banks, libraries, LCBO, The Beer Store, Canada Post, and community centres will be closed. Transit services like MiWay will follow a Sunday schedule, and GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule. Garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, and all Community Recycling Centres will be closed. For emergency shelter, food, and support, residents can call the Street Helpline or refer to the Region of Peel resources.
Open
In Toronto, several places will remain open on the holiday, including shopping centres like Eaton Centre (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Pacific Mall (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Vaughan Mills (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Square One (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Food and grocery options include Rabba, Summerhill Market (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), select Whole Foods and Wine Rack locations (call ahead), and Eataly. Many cafes, restaurants, and bars will also operate (confirm hours). Popular tourist attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium, the Toronto Zoo, the ROM, Casa Loma, and Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest will welcome visitors alongside outdoor ice rinks, parks, and trails.
Closed
Non-emergency government services, including City Hall, civic centres, libraries, and Canada Post, will be closed. Most major grocery stores, St. Lawrence Market, LCBO, The Beer Store, and shopping centres like CF Fairview Mall, Yorkdale, and Scarborough Town Centre will not operate. Additionally, the Hockey Hall of Fame will be closed. TTC will run on a Sunday schedule, and GO Transit will follow a Saturday schedule. There will be no garbage collection on Jan. 1, 2025, with collection delayed by one day.
Open
In Brampton on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2024, the Gore Meadows Covered Outdoor Skating Rink, Chinguacousy Park Skate Recreational Trail, Gage Park Outdoor Skating Recreational Trail, and Mount Pleasant Outdoor Skating Rink will be open. Bramalea City Centre, most drug stores like Shoppers Drug Mart, many Rabba Food Stores, and takeout coffee shops such as Tim Horton’s and Starbucks will also be operational (check individual locations for hours). Some Brampton Recreation centres and outdoor/indoor skating rinks will be open as well (confirm hours with the city). Many restaurants will operate, but calling ahead is recommended.
Closed
Most major stores, all major grocery stores (e.g., Metro, Longo’s), Shoppers World, government offices (including City Hall until Jan. 2), Brampton Library branches, banks, LCBO, Beer Store locations, Canada Post, and Region of Peel Community Recycling Centres will be closed. Waste collection will be delayed by one day.
Halton – Burlington, Oakville, Milton
Open
On New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills, several places will remain open. These include shopping centres like Toronto Premium Outlets (9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Square One (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Bramalea City Centre (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Vaughan Mills (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Eaton Centre (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Local parks, outdoor recreational amenities, outdoor light festivals, movie theatres, and gas stations will be open. Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations, smaller grocery stores like Rabba, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and some restaurants for dining, takeout, and delivery will operate (confirm hours ahead). Municipal parking lots will also be available.
Closed
Oakville Place, Mapleview Centre, Burlington Centre, Milton Mall, major grocery stores, banks, libraries, Beer Stores, LCBOs, Oakville Museum, Milton Sports Centre, Mattamy National Cycling Centre, arenas, Rotary Pond skating rink, community centres, and all levels of government offices (including City Hall/Town Hall) will be closed. Canada Post will not provide mail services, and the Halton Waste Management Site will be closed.
Open
On New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Hamilton, all critical services will operate, including Fire and Emergency Services, Traffic Services, By-Law Enforcement, Road Operations, and Security Services. Hamilton trails, movie theatres, and skating rinks such as Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre – Serafini Family Ice Pad, Dundas Driving Park, Freelton Community Park, and Waterdown Memorial Park (weather permitting) will be open. Most convenience stores, some drug stores like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, some restaurants, and Splitsville Entertainment will also be open.
Closed
Banks, Beer Stores, Canada Post, government offices (including Hamilton City Hall administration offices, which will re-open on Jan. 2), grocery stores, Hamilton Farmers’ Market, independent movie cinemas, LCBO, libraries, civic museums, malls, and recreation centres will be closed. There will also be no mail delivery.
Niagara Region – Niagara Falls, St Catharines
Open
On New Year’s Day 2025 in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, and Port Colborne, many businesses in Niagara Falls will remain open due to the city’s “special tourist area exemption.” These include some smaller grocery stores like Rabba, most convenience stores and gas stations, and select Shoppers Drug Marts (call ahead). Most restaurants in Niagara Falls will be open, often with delayed hours. The Niagara Falls OPG Winter Festival of Lights, movie theatres (with online ticket purchase), and most family-oriented tourist attractions in Niagara Falls will also be open (call ahead to confirm). Additionally, the Outlet Collection at Niagara will operate on holiday hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Closed
All LCBOs, Beer Stores, major grocery stores (e.g., Fortino’s, Longo’s, Walmart, Metro), government offices, city and town halls, banks, libraries, community centres, recycling centres, arenas, and malls in St. Catharines and Welland will be closed. Some Niagara Falls malls may also close, so call ahead if you’re in the area. While a few wineries and craft breweries may open, the majority will be closed.
Open
On New Year’s Day, most convenience stores, some Shoppers Drug Mart locations (call ahead to confirm), and select Starbucks coffee houses with reduced hours will be open. Most Tim Horton’s stores will also operate (check specific hours). Some restaurants, especially Chinese food establishments, are traditionally open on New Year’s Day. While most breweries will be closed, some cannabis stores and ski resorts, such as Ski Lakeridge and Dagmar, will welcome visitors. Movie theatres and most tourist attractions will also be open.
Closed
Malls will be closed, although restaurants with street-facing entrances may be open (call ahead). Most major grocery stores, banks, government offices, libraries, community centres, Canada Post, LCBOs, and Beer Stores will not operate.