What’s open and closed on Victoria Day in Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington and Whitby

Victoria Day in 2026 falls on May 18 in Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Whitby and Durham Region.

One of Canada’s oldest holidays, Victoria Day, is right around the corner, with Canadians celebrating what would be the 207th birthday of the ‘Mother of Confederation’ on May 24.

The holiday was established in 1845, before Canada was an independent nation. While it was initially always on May 24, it was later changed to the third Monday of May, falling between the 18th and the 24th each year.

In 1952, it also came to represent the birthday of the reigning monarch.

Here is what is open and closed on Victoria Day:

CLOSED

• Most LCBO locations will be shuttered next Monday. Call ahead to be sure
• Pickering Town Centre is shutting its doors for the day, but restaurants with street access will be open
• Durham’s municipal, provincial, and federal building and offices are closing down their town halls
• All banks will be closed
• Public and Catholic schools in the region will be closed
• Most recreation centres in the region will be closed
• Libraries will be closed

OPEN

• Movie theatres will be open
• Most Shoppers Drug Marts will be open, but call ahead to confirm
• Oshawa Centre will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Most restaurants, cafes and bars that are typically open on Mondays will be open, but call ahead to be sure
• Convenience stores will also be open
• Most garden centres will be open
• Some recreation centres will be open on modified hours
• Select Beer Stores will remain open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including:
  • 200 Ritson Rd N, Oshawa,
  • 75 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax
  • 3950 Brock St N in Whitby
• The Wine Rack location in Port Perry at Scugog Street will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Most cannabis stores will be open. Call ahead to your favourite to be sure
• Many of Durham’s breweries will be open on Victoria Day, including Old Flame in Port Perry and Town and Little Beasts in Whitby. Town’s Pumphouse Waterfront Garden is also now open. Call your favourite brewery to be sure.
• Municipal parks, conservation areas, beaches and walking trails will be open
• Splash pads are open for the season and will be open on Victoria Day

WASTE DISPOSAL

There will be no garbage pickup on Monday. Blue box, green bin and waste pick-up will be moved back a day. Regional waste centres will also be closed on Monday.

TRANSIT

Durham Region Transit (DRT) and Pulse buses will run on a holiday schedule
GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule

FIREWORKS

Durham residents can have their own fun on Monday with fireworks. Victoria Day is one of the few holidays when fireworks are permitted in Durham municipalities, along with Canada Day and Diwali.

Each municipality has their own set of rules on where fireworks can be launched, so check with the city or town hall to be sure. Illegal use can result in substantial fines.

There are no official Victoria Day events this year.