Victoria Day, celebrated on Monday, May 18, 2026, marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada. As a national statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, including British Columbia, many residents in Metro Vancouver are planning to enjoy the long weekend with outdoor activities, shopping, or simply relaxing at home. Here is a comprehensive guide to what is open and closed across the region.
Retail
Malls and big-box stores are generally open on Victoria Day, often operating on Sunday hours. Major shopping centres such as Cadillac Fairview's Pacific Centre in Vancouver, Richmond Centre, Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, and Park Royal in West Vancouver will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. The McArthurGlen outlet near Vancouver International Airport will keep regular hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Most grocery chains, including Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore, Save-On-Foods, and Safeway, are open on the holiday. However, Costco warehouse outlets will be closed on Monday.
Attractions
Popular attractions around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are operating as usual on Victoria Day. The Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, and the Vancouver Aquarium will welcome visitors. City-operated sites like VanDusen Botanical Garden (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Bloedel Conservatory (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) are open. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver (8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are also open.
Recreation
Approximately half of Vancouver's community centres will be open on Monday, including False Creek, Hastings, Kerrisdale, Mount Pleasant, Roundhouse, Strathcona, Sunset, and Trout Lake. Fitness centres have varying hours, with many offering gym time while others are closed.
Several city pools are open: Britannia, Hillcrest, Killarney, Lord Byng, New Brighton, Renfrew, Second Beach, Templeton Park, and Vancouver Aquatic Centre. Ice rinks and municipal golf courses (Fraserview, Langara, McCleery) are also operational. For specific hours, visit vancouver.ca.
All Vancouver public libraries are closed on Victoria Day except the Carnegie branch on Main Street, which remains open on holidays.
Transit
Buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus will run on a holiday schedule on Monday, with single-zone fares across the system. The West Coast Express commuter train will not operate. TransLink customer service centres and lost property offices are closed.
