Open and closed for Thanksgiving (plus: Find the perfect jack-o-lantern)
Photo by Don Douglas via the OttawaStart Flickr pool.
Monday, October 11 is Thanksgiving Monday in Ottawa which means a long weekend for most people. Here’s a list of what’s open and closed.
To add to this list please email feedback@ottawastart.com or tweet us @OttawaStart.
Shopping & attractions
Most stores are open on Sunday, but closed on Monday.
Most grocery stores are closed.
Malls are closed, except for Rideau Centre (open 11am-6pm Sunday, 10am-6pm Monday), Les Galleries de Hull (Gatineau) and Les Promenades Gatineau. Costco is open in Gatineau.
Kettleman’s never, ever closes.
Lots of Shoppers Drug Mart stores are open, some as late as midnight. Many IDAs are open during the day as well.
Beer Stores and LCBOs are closed. However, some LCBO agency stores in outlying areas may be open.
(If you need alcohol, check out the SAQ in Quebec – most of them are open.)
You can buy beer at some of Ottawa’s local brew pubs, many of which are open on holidays and sell beer that you can take home with you. Call ahead to confirm the hours of your favourite brewer!
Many shops and restaurants in the Byward Market are open.
Stores in the Glebe are allowed to open during holidays.
Banks are closed.
No Canada Post mail service on Monday.
It’s a good weekend to go find a pumpkin.
Need a doctor or emergency care?
You can find healthcare services open during holidays by checking holidayhours.ca.
COVID-19
The Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Booking line at 613-691-5505 will be open from 8:30 am to 4 pm on Monday, October 11.
City services:
No garbage, recycling or composting on Monday. Monday’s pickup will take place on Tuesday. In addition, the collection of garbage, green bin, leaf and yard waste and recycling materials will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week
OC Transpo is operating on a Sunday schedule, so only buses that normally run on Sundays will be in service (The R1 and line 2 bus service will run a Sunday schedule).
Some city pools and gyms will be open on the holiday, with modified schedules. Check with ottawa.ca or the facility of your choice for details.
Most City of Ottawa programming at arts centres, archives, galleries, theatres and museums will not be offered, however, residents should check ottawa.ca or their facility to confirm.
Libraries are closed.
3-1-1 service is open for urgent requests.
City Hall and Client Service Centres are closed.
The Provincial Offences Court is closed.
Here is a press release from the City of Ottawa with more info.
To add to this list please email feedback@ottawastart.com
Find the perfect jack-o-lantern: List of Ottawa-area pumpkin patches
Photo: Pumpkin season in Manotick. By Ross Dunn via the OttawaStart Flickr group
For the purposes of the list, we’re loosely defining pumpkin patch as any farm or larger roadside pumpkin-selling establishment. Additions/corrections? Click here to contact us…
Abbey Hill Farms (Richmond) Headquartered in Richmond with smaller satellite locations around the region. We always go to the one at Bankfield and Prince of Whales, just east of the 416. Lots of pumpkins and some fun scarecrows too.
Cannamore Orchard (Cannamore, south-east of Ottawa) Pre-picked pumpkins and a pick-your-own field are available. Cannamore also has a spooky wagon ride and other family attractions during October.
Log Cabin Orchard (Osgoode) Featuring a one-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, pies, specialty pumpkins and gourds.
Maple Hill Farm (Moodie Drive near Bells Corners) Attractions include a hayride and corn mazes, and a really nice red barn.
Millers' Farm and Market (Rideau Valley Drive, south of Manotick) Featuring pumpkins, squash and gourds every fall, wagon rides and a corn maze.
Proulx Berry Farm (Cumberland, near Innes & Trim) The farm holds an annual pumpkin festival with daily activities starting September 30 and continuing until Halloween.
Saunders Farm (Munster, south of Fallowfield Road) Saunders Farm is known for their annual Halloween attractions, but you can also find some good pumpkins – and there’s no admission to pay if you’re just browsing the pumpkin patch.
Fallowfield Tree Farm (Just outside Stittsville) As well as their namesake trees, the farm also has a large pumpkin patch. You can also book a hayride! Because it’s also a working farm, you have to call or email ahead and make arrangements.
(This list was originally published in October 2015 and updated many times since then!)
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