What’s open and closed on Boxing Day 2025 in Hamilton

Typically, Boxing Day signals a mad rush to the malls, electronics stores, and retailers to scoop up some hot deals. Despite many people doing their shopping online, consumers are still expected to line up at a few popular stores to do some post-Christmas shopping in person.

This year, Boxing Day falls on Friday, Dec. 26. While most shops, restaurants and entertainment venues will be open, non-essential government offices and other businesses will be closed to observe the holiday.

FUN FACT: It is called “Boxing Day” because, starting in medieval Britain, servants would be given the day after Christmas off, and they would receive a gift ‘box’ on this day.

Here is what’s open and closed on Boxing Day 2025:

Open

• All critical services, including police, Fire and Emergency Services, paramedic and critical infrastructure services, will continue to operate on Boxing Day
• Hamilton parks and trails
• Skating rinks: Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre – Serafini Family Ice Pad, Dundas Driving Park, Freelton Community Park, Waterdown Memorial Park (weather permitting)
• Some restaurants will be open for dine-in and takeout, but call ahead to confirm
• Some drug stores, such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, will be open (call ahead to confirm)
• Costco locations
• Most major grocery stores
• Most convenience stores
• Major shopping centres, including Lime Ridge Mall and Jackson Square
• Select Beer Stores will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., including 282 Parkdale Ave. N., 1111 Barton St. E., 673 Upper James St., 959 Fennell Ave. E., 75 Centennial Pkwy. N., 150 Barton St. E.
• Many breweries will be open and will be operating with regular business hours, but call ahead to confirm
• Splitsville Entertainment
• Movie theatres

Closed 

• Banks
• Canada Post (no mail pick up or delivery)
• All non-essential federal, provincial and municipal government offices
• All City of Hamilton administrative offices will be closed from Dec. 25, 2025 and will reopen on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
• Adult Day Program at Macassa Lodge
• Animal Services Office and Shelter
• Hamilton Farmers’ Market
• Libraries
• Hamilton Civic Museums, including Dundurn National Historic Site, Griffin House, Hamilton & Scourge National Historic Site, Hamilton Children’s Museum, Fieldcote Memorial Park, Battlefield National Historic Site, Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology, Hamilton Military Museum, and Whitehern House & Garden, will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, 29 and Jan. 1
• Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park

Waste and Recycling:

Waste collection will not be impacted on Dec. 26
Community Recycling Centres will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Transit:

• HSR bus schedules will differ, with routes 1, 2, 16, 21, 25, 26, 41 and 43 operating on a Saturday schedule
• All other routes that normally operate on Sundays will run on a Sunday schedule
• No service: 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East
• MyRide Waterdown and Trans-Cab operating 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule
• DARTS: All subscription trips cancelled – except dialysis – for Dec. 26. Users should make reservations for travel on Boxing Day