What’s Closed and Open Family Day Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Clarington in 2026

Family Day falls on Monday, Feb. 17 in Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Clarington and Durham Region. Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, but it is observed in Ontario as one.

There are still plenty of things to do, with a special focus on family.

Family Day events include Winterfest in Ajax; Clarington’s Family Day – with free fun all day long at Courtice Community Complex, Diane Hamre Recreation Centre and South Courtice Arena, with public swimming, outdoor skating, fitness classes, drop-in basketball and racquet sports, youth shinny and ‘sportball,’ among other activities; Family Day at the Oshawa Museum and the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa; and a day of free activities like face painting, skating and swimming at Iroquois Park Sports Centre and Brooklin Community Centre between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Whitby’s Family Day.

Check your town’s socials for all the details.

What’s Open:

• Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations
• Most restaurants that are usually open on Mondays will be open but call ahead to be sure.
• Canada Post (mail pick-up and delivery will not be affected by the holiday)
• Federal government offices (most services can be delivered online; offices are open by-appointment-only)
• Most recreation centres
• Some cannabis stores, but call ahead to be sure
• Some breweries will be open but call ahead to your favourite to be certain

Closed:

• Major malls like Pickering Town Centre and Oshawa Centre, though restaurants with outdoor entrances may be open
• Most major grocery stores
• LCBO
• Beer Store
• Banks
• City Halls and provincial government offices
• Most libraries

Transit

• Durham Region Transit will operate on a weekend schedule
• GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule

Garbage:

• No garbage pick-up (all waste collection will be one day later than usual)
• Waste depots will be closed on Monday

Face painting in Whitby