Open and closed in Ottawa for the August Holiday Monday
Statue of Colonel By in Major’s Hill Park. (Photo/Devyn Barrie)
Monday is Colonel By Day in Ottawa (aka the August Civic Holiday / August long weekend, occurring on the first Monday of every August) which means a long weekend for most people in Ottawa. But it’s not a statutory holiday so many retail stores will be open. 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, malls and grocery stores are open with reduced hours. Call ahead to check! (Malls open for business include Rideau Centre, Bayshore, Place d’Orleans, St-Laurent, Billings Bridge, Les Promenades de l’Outaouais…)
Some national museums are open.
Most LCBO stores are open on Monday.
Beer stores are open regular hours on Sunday. On Monday, only select stores are open from 11am-6pm.
Movie theatres are open.
Banks are closed.
Quebec doesn’t have a Civic Holiday, so it’s business as usual.
Need a doctor or emergency care?
You can find healthcare services open during holidays by checking holidayhours.ca
Recreation
Beaches, splash pads and pools will be open, weather permitting. (Here’s a list.)
Some city pools will be open on the Civic Holiday for public swimming skating and fitness classes with modified schedules. Check with ottawa.ca or the facility of your choice for details.
City / government services
OC Transpo operates on a Sunday schedule.
City Hall and Client Service Centres are closed
Ontario Provincial Offences Court is closed
There will be no curbside green bin, recycling or garbage collection. 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.
Here’s a press release from the City of Ottawa about other schedule and service changes…
Upcoming Events
Merrickville Festival of the Arts: August 28 - 29, 2021. More than 25 MAG artists will display and sell their paintings, pottery, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry, books and other creations at two locations in the Village. In the afternoons, Theatre Night in Merrickville will present “Tales of the Rideau Canal” - vignettes about the people who built the Rideau Canal. Local musicians perform and poetry readings by the Rogue Poets. All performances will be held at the Blockhouse Park in the Lions Pavilion. More info…
City Chase Rush - Adventure Race. Think "Amazing Race" for Ottawa! Teams of family or friends (2-10 players) will complete challenges that will test both body and mind. Are you smart enough to solve clues and navigate your city? Are you tough enough physically to beat the Chase Points? Are you strategic enough to complete all the challenges? Are you open enough to laugh through experiences that will test your comfort zones? Get out and rediscover Ottawa in a fun (Covid safe) adventure! ($$) More info…
Festival of the Wild Child. Thematic scavenger hunts along wooded trails and by ponds to learn, explore and engage with the natural world. Five unique hunts have been developed on different trails. This festival is free for children under 18 years. Wild Child adults are requested to pay $10 for admission and donations will be welcome. More info…
Rembrandt in Amsterdam: Creativity and Competition. Bringing together more than 100 works by the artist and his peers — many on view in Canada for the first time — this new exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada explores Rembrandt’s career in the hottest art market of its day. Rembrandt in Amsterdam also expands the narrative to feature Black and Indigenous works and voices throughout, connecting the history of colonialism and slavery with the Dutch Republic of the 16th century. Learn more…
Thanks for reading!