What’s closed and open on Victoria Day: Oakville, Burlington, Milton

It’s commonly referred to as the “May two-four” weekend, but Victoria Day rarely actually falls on May 24.

This year, it will be observed on Monday, May 18.

The holiday traces its origins back to Queen Victoria, one of the longest-reigning monarchs in British history, who was born on May 24, 1819.

In 1845, during Victoria’s reign, the Legislature of the Province of Canada declared her birthday a public holiday in her honour.

Following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, legislation was passed officially establishing “Victoria Day” that would continue to be celebrated on May 24, no matter which day of the week it fell on.

However, by 1952, as Victoria’s influence began to fade, the federal government moved the holiday to the Monday before May 25 to create a guaranteed long weekend for workers.

Since 1957, Victoria Day has also been recognized as the official Canadian celebration of the reigning monarch’s birthday, which is currently King Charles III, despite his actual birthday falling on Nov. 14.

Victoria Day is considered a uniquely Canadian holiday and is not widely celebrated elsewhere.

Interestingly, Queen Victoria was the great-great-grandmother of both Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip.

Open:

• Local parks and certain outdoor recreational amenities
• Most Shoppers Drug Marts, but call ahead to be sure
• Most restaurants will be open for dining, takeout and delivery, but make sure to call ahead
• Some smaller grocery stores, such as Rabba grocery stores
• Beer Store in Burlington from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 2025 Guelph Line and 5051 New St.
• Beer Store in Oakville, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 290 Hays Blvd.
• Some LCBO stores will be open. Follow this link to find out the status of the store near you.
• Conservation Halton Parks: Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso, Mount Nemo, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point
• Terra Cotta Conservation Area in Halton Hills
• Some Starbucks and Tim Hortons (hours may vary at different locations)
• Mapleview Centre (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Toronto Premium Outlets (9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
• Other major malls that are open:
  – Square One (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
  – Bramalea City Centre (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  – Vaughan Mills (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  – Eaton Centre (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Closed:

• Banks
• City/Town halls
• Most Halton Region offices and services, although all 24-hour/essential services remain open
• Community centres, seniors’ centres, pools, arenas and libraries
• Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
• Mattamy National Cycling Centre
• Milton Mall
• Burlington Centre
• Oakville Pace
• Most Beer Stores
• Many grocery and department stores

Transit:

• Oakville Transit will operate on a holiday schedule, operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule, operating from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Milton Transit will not be running
• GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule with hours varying depending on the route. Follow this link for details.

Garbage:

No garbage pickup on Monday, May 18 (all waste collection will be one day later than usual)