What’s Closed and Open Thanksgiving Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Clarington

As the second Monday of the month, Thanksgiving Day falls on Oct. 13, 2025, this year in Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Clarington.

Canada has celebrated Thanksgiving regularly since 1879, but the exact date could vary. It wasn’t until 1957 that Governor General Vincent Massey declared the second Monday of October to be a permanent Thanksgiving Day.

Here’s what’s open and closed on Thanksgiving Day in Durham. 

OPEN

• Most restaurants that are usually open on Mondays, but call ahead to be sure
• Cineplex movie theatres in Bowmanville, Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering will be open, as will Landmark Cinemas in Whitby
• Some Shoppers Drug Mart locations
• Outdoor recreational facilities, including major parks and trails such as the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Oak Ridges Moraine
• Many craft breweries that are open on Mondays will be open regular hours on Thanksgiving, including All or Nothing Brewhouse in Oshawa and Old Flame in Port Perry. Town in Whitby will also be open, with Town’s Pumphouse location on the waterfront planning several events to close out the season
• Some recreation centres will be open, including Harmon Arena (regular hours) and Delpark Homes Centre (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in Oshawa and McLean Community Centre in Ajax (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Most other faclities in Durham will be closed
• Convenience stores
• Oshawa Zoo
• All three casinos: Pickering Casino Resort, Ajax Casino and Blue Heron Casino in Scugog

CLOSED

• Banks
• Government offices (including all town and city halls)
• Canada Post (no mail pick-up or delivery)
• Libraries
• Pickering Town Centre (although some outside-facing restaurants might be open)
• Oshawa Centre (some outside-facing restaurants might be open)
• LCBO locations
• All Beer Store locations
• Most grocery stores
• Art galleries and museums
• Service Oshawa
• Humane Society of Durham Region
• Wal-Mart locations

TRANSIT

• Durham Region Transit and Pulse will run on a holiday schedule
• GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule

WASTE COLLECTION

Monday’s blue box collection will be re-scheduled for the next day in Whitby and Oshawa