With Christmas Day just around the corner, many Toronto-area residents are getting ready for a quieter city as most businesses shut their doors for the statutory holiday. Still, not everything will be closed — and a handful of attractions, entertainment spots and transit services will continue operating, often with reduced hours.
On Thursday, Dec. 25, anyone hoping to get out of the house will still have several options. Major attractions like the CN Tower will welcome visitors from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Toronto Zoo plans to operate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Museum of Illusions will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Nature lovers can stop by Allan Gardens Conservatory from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4:45 p.m., or visit High Park Zoo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moviegoers can also catch a film, as Cineplex theatres are offering showtimes starting late morning and running into the evening.
Public transit will still be running, though on holiday schedules. The TTC will operate on a Sunday service schedule from about 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., while GO Transit will follow a Saturday schedule, with service varying by route.
That said, much of the city will be taking the day off. Popular attractions including Canada’s Wonderland, Casa Loma, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, the Aga Khan Museum and the Hockey Hall of Fame will all be closed. So will Legoland Discovery Centre, Reptilia Zoo, the Gardiner Museum, the Bata Shoe Museum, Ontario Science Centre experiences, the Textile Museum of Canada and the Toronto Police Museum.
Shopping will also be on pause across most of the region. Major malls such as the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, CF Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Square One, Vaughan Mills, Pacific Mall, CF Markville, Bayview Village, Yorkville Village, Dufferin Mall, Toronto Premium Outlets, Hillcrest Mall, Promenade Shopping Centre and The Well will not be opening their doors on Christmas Day.
For last-minute grocery runs, options will be limited. Big chains including Costco, Farm Boy, Whole Foods, No Frills, Metro, FreshCo, Loblaws, Eataly and T&T Supermarket will be closed, along with the LCBO and The Beer Store. Some Starbucks and Tim Hortons locations may be open, but hours will vary by store, so customers are advised to check locally before heading out.
Banking services will also be unavailable in person, as all major financial institutions will close their branches for the day. ATMs and online banking, however, will continue to operate as usual.
With most of Toronto slowing down for the holiday, residents are encouraged to plan ahead, check hours before heading out and enjoy one of the quieter days of the year in the city.