Victoria Day has been observed in Canada since at least 1845 and has always been a distinctly Canadian observance. No other country in the world celebrates the monarch’s birthday, including Great Britain.
In Canada, the May 2-4 weekend has often been considered the beginning of the summer season. Cottages are aired out and opened, camping trips are planned and gardens are planted.
It falls on the Monday between the 18th and the 24th (inclusive), so in this year’s case, it’s May 18, 2026.
So what’s open and what’s closed this coming Monday?
Most of Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses remain open as both the city and the town are designated tourist destinations and thus can remain open on federal or provincial holidays.
The other 10 municipalities in Niagara, including St. Catharines and Welland, are mostly shut down. While some businesses are posting hours, others say “hours may differ” because it’s a holiday. The best bet? Call ahead.
(For every business below, phone ahead as most are posting “hours may differ”)
- Canada One Outlets in Niagara Falls (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
- Outlet Collection at Niagara in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- The Pen Centre in St. Catharines (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Seaway Mall in Welland (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Most grocery stores (call ahead).
- There are over 60 Niagara-region wineries/vineyards and most will be open, but call ahead to be sure.
- Most restaurants are open for dine-in, takeout and delivery, but call ahead to be sure.
- Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations
- Movie theatres
- LCBO (call ahead)
- The Beer Store (call ahead)
- Most Niagara Falls-area family-oriented tourist attractions, including Niagara City Cruises, WildPlay Whirlpool Adventure Course, Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom, Niagara SkyWheel, Dinosaur Adventure Golf, Ripley’s Museum and more, will be open.
Closed Victoria Day (May 18):
- All city and town halls
- All non-emergency federal, provincial, regional and municipal government offices.
- Fairview Mall in St. Catharines
- Pendale Plaza in St. Catharines
- Most community centres and arenas
- Most libraries
- City of Niagara Falls museums and administrative offices
- Canada Post (no mail pickup or delivery)
- Community Recycling Centres
Transit
- Niagara Region Transit will have limited service on May 18. Conventional bus service will operate with reduced frequencies in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland. Regional routes will operate with limited service. Microtransit is suspended.
- GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Garbage:
- There are no changes to the curbside collection schedule due to the holiday.
- Niagara Road 12 Landfill and Drop-off Depot (West Lincoln) is closed. Thorold Yard Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Depot, Humberstone Landfill and Drop-off Depot (Welland) and Bridge Street Drop-off Depot (Fort Erie) are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lead photo: Tim Mossholder
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