As the festive season approaches, Canadians across the country are finalizing their plans for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's celebrations. A key part of that planning is knowing which services and businesses will be operating and which will be taking a well-deserved break. This guide outlines the general openings and closures expected across Canada for the major holidays at the end of 2025, helping you avoid any last-minute surprises.
Major Statutory Holiday Closures
On Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day) and Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day), Canadians can expect widespread closures as these are national statutory holidays. Government offices at all levels—federal, provincial, and municipal—will be closed. This includes services like Service Canada centres and provincial registry offices. Most banks and post offices will also be shut, with no mail delivery on these days.
Boxing Day, Friday, December 26, 2025, is also a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, leading to similar closures for government services and financial institutions. However, Boxing Day is famously one of the biggest retail shopping days of the year, so while corporate offices are closed, many malls and stores will open, often with extended hours for major sales events.
Retail, Groceries, and Shopping Malls
The retail landscape varies significantly between the holidays. On Christmas Day, nearly all major retail chains, shopping malls, and grocery stores will be closed to allow staff to spend the day with family. Some small independent convenience stores or gas station markets may remain open, but hours will be limited.
Boxing Day is the complete opposite for retailers. Malls and major big-box stores typically open very early, often by 7:00 or 8:00 AM, welcoming throngs of shoppers eager for door-crasher deals. Grocery stores will also generally be open, though possibly with reduced holiday hours.
For New Year's Day, many retailers and malls will again be closed or operate on a Sunday schedule, giving employees a day to recover from New Year's Eve celebrations. Grocery stores may open later in the day, but it's advisable to check local listings.
Transportation and Essential Services
Public transit systems in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa will run on a holiday or Sunday schedule on all three holidays. This means less frequent service, so commuters should plan their trips accordingly and check their local transit authority's website for precise schedules.
Essential services will continue to operate. Police, fire departments, and hospitals remain open 24/7 throughout the holiday period. Most pharmacies will have at least some locations open for emergency prescriptions, often with reduced hours. Gas stations and convenience stores attached to them are also likely to remain open.
While government-run liquor stores (like the LCBO in Ontario or BC Liquor Stores) are typically closed on Christmas and New Year's Day, many private liquor retailers and some grocery stores (depending on provincial regulations) may be open, especially on Boxing Day. It's best to verify with your local store.
By keeping this general guide in mind and confirming the hours of specific destinations, Canadians can navigate the 2025 holiday season smoothly, ensuring they have everything they need while respecting the time off for those who work hard all year.
