What’s Open and Closed this Victoria Day in Hamilton

This year, Victoria Day falls on Monday, May 18, in Hamilton – as always, the penultimate Monday in May.

It’s the first long weekend of the summer (well, almost summer), and there’s a lot to see and do around Hamilton.

For those looking to celebrate with a bang, Victoria Day and Canada Day are the only permitted days to celebrate the holiday with fireworks, and the Hamilton Fire Department reminded residents that fireworks are allowed only from dusk to 11 p.m. If inclement weather on those days prevents fireworks, they can be used the day following the holiday between dusk and 11 pm.

For more information on fireworks, click here.

The city will also be hosting a fireworks celebration. Attendees can check out Victoria Day Fireworks at Dundas Driving Park on Sunday, May 17. The free event will feature a Kids Zone with bouncy castles, slides, and obstacle courses, live music and entertainment and 15+ food trucks and vendors. Fireworks will go off around 9:30 p.m.

Here’s what is open and closed in Hamilton on Victoria Day 2026:

Open:

• Movie theatres
• Most Shoppers Drug Marts, but call ahead to be sure
• Restaurants that are typically open on Mondays will likely be open, but call ahead to confirm
• Most convenience stores
• Most garden centres
• Local parks, trails and conservation areas, including Christie Lake, Crooks’ Hollow, Devil’s Punchbowl, Dundas Valley, Fletcher Creek, Spencer Gorge and more
• Westfield Heritage Village (12 pm to 4 pm)
• Some breweries, but call ahead to confirm
• Some Beer Store locations (282 Parkdale Ave. N; 959 Fennell Ave. E.; 1111 Barton St. E; 150 Barton St. E and 1408 Upper James St.)
• Some LCBO locations (call ahead)
• CF Lime Ridge will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Most major malls (but call ahead to confirm)

Closed:

• All City of Hamilton administrative offices will be closed. For emergencies involving roads, water mains, sewer systems, public health and safety issues, please call (905) 546-2489
• The Housing Services office at 350 King Street East
• Many major grocery stores
• Banks
• Libraries (closed both Sunday and Monday)
• Hamilton Civic Museums
• All non-emergency federal, provincial and municipal government offices
• Canada Post (no mail pickup or delivery)
• Hamilton Animal Services
• Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse
• Macassa Lodge Adult Day Program
• Child and Adolescent Services Walk-In Clinic
• Dental clinics and bus
• Needle syringe program (van service)
• Hamilton Farmers’ Market
• Hamilton Municipal Parking System Office
• Recreation centres and arenas

Waste collection:

• There will be no green bin, blue box, yard waste, bulk waste, or garbage pick-up. Waste collection will be delayed by one day.
• Community Recycling Centres are closed

Transit:

Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)

• Buses will operate a Sunday service schedule, with the last trips from downtown at 12 am
• There will be no service on routes 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East.
• MyRide on-demand service and Trans-Cab service will align with HSR Sunday schedules.

DARTS

• Holiday service hours
• All subscription trips cancelled, except dialysis.
• Advanced booking is required for travel on May 18

GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule