For 2025, Civic Holiday falls on Monday, August 4. Before you head out to the stores and restaurants, it’s a good idea to check and see whether they are open or closed! Most eateries, shopping centers, and malls are open on Civic Holiday and throughout the August Long Weekend. However, some may be operating on holiday schedule with limited or reduced hours of operation. Other businesses may be closed entirely on Civic Holiday in order to give their employees the day off.
Because Civic Holiday is not a holiday in the States, most U.S. businesses will be operating on regular schedules. For information on specific stores, restaurants, and malls, just scroll down and search our complete list!
Civic Holiday is also known as Heritage Day in Alberta, British Columbia Day, New Brunswick Day, Regatta Day in Newfoundland/Labrador, Natal Day in Nova Scotia, Joseph Brant Day in Burlington, Ontario; Colonel By Day in Ottawa, Ontario; and Simcoe Day in Toronto. Here’s a quick rundown of what is open and what is closed:
BANKS: CLOSED
BARS & CLUBS: OPEN
BEER STORES: SOME OPEN, SOME CLOSED. In Ontario, most but not all The Beer Store locations will be open on August 4. Those stores operating on Civic Holiday will be open from 11:00AM-6:00PM. Call ahead to confirm before heading out!
BIG BOX STORES: OPEN – Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Costco, The Home Depot, Home Hardware, Home Outfitters, HomeSense, Kent, Lowe’s, PetSmart, RONA, Sears, Staples, Walmart
CANADA POST OFFICES: CLOSED
CASUAL RESTAURANTS: OPEN – Boston Pizza, Tim Horton’s, The Keg Steakhouse, Earls, Milestones, Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, Kelsey’s, St-Hubert, Montana’s Cookhouse
CONVENIENCE STORES: OPEN – Circle K, Needs Convenience, On the Run, Quickie, Mac’s, Provi-Soir, OLCO, Irving’s Blue Canoe, Pioneer. Many locations are open 24 hours, even on holidays.
DEPARTMENT STORES: OPEN – Army & Navy, Marshalls, Winners, Rossy, Dollarama, Bowring, The Bargain! Shop, The Source, Stedmans V&S, Hudson’s Bay, La Maison Simons, Fields, Holt Renfrew, XS Cargo, Taylor’s, Giant Tiger
FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS: OPEN – McDonald’s, Burger King, A&W, KFC, Subway, Dairy Queen, Quizno’s, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Pizza Pizza, Starbucks
GROCERY STORES: OPEN – Loblaws, Sobeys, Save-On Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Metro, Super C, Foodland, Price Chopper, Food Faire, Thrifty Foods, Highland Farms, Dominion, Marché Ami, Northern/North Mart
GOVERNMENT OFFICES: CLOSED. Nearly all federal, provincial, and local agencies are closed on Civic Holiday.
LIQUOR STORES: MOSTLY OPEN. In Ontario, most but not all LCBO stores will be open. Some locations will be operating on holiday schedule with reduced hours. Most Manitoba Liquor Mart locations will be open on August 4 from 11:00AM-6:00PM.
MOVIE THEATERS: OPEN – Cineplex Entertainment, Landmark Cinemas, Cinemark Theaters, Cinémas Guzzo. Some theatres have additional holiday show times scheduled on Civic Holiday.
PHARMACIES & DRUG STORES: OPEN Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Value Drug Mart, Lawtons, DRUGStore Pharmacy, Pharmaprix, Pharmasave, Jean Coutu, Brunet, Uniprix. These stores are almost always open. However, the actual pharmacy may be closed or operating reduced hours for the holiday. Pharmacy departments in grocery and big box stores also have varying hours of operation during Civic Holiday.
SHOPPING CENTERS AND MALL ANCHOR STORES: OPEN
SCHOOLS: CLOSED
If you’re not sure, call the store or restaurant and confirm their holiday hours before leaving the house. This avoids unpleasant surprises and unnecessary drives, only to find your favorite eating or shopping place is closed on Civic Holiday. Plan ahead and have a fantastic August Long Weekend 2025!