/ #christmas 

Open and closed in Ottawa on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2023

Christmas Wreaths at Mill of Kintail. Photo by Derek Mellon.

Here’s what’s open and closed in Ottawa for Christmas and Boxing Day, December 25 and 26, 2023.

To add to this list (or make a correction) please contact us.

Shopping and attractions

  • Most stores close early on Christmas Eve, stay closed on Christmas Day and open on Boxing Day. If you do need last minute groceries on Dec. 25, your best bet is the local convenience store, or a Shoppers Drug Mart. Hours may vary, but quite a few are open on Christmas Day (the one at Westgate is open 24hrs).

  • Metro stores close 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remain closed all of Christmas Day. Most are open on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm.

  • Farm Boy stores close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and stay closed on Dec. 25. Farm Boy stores are open on Boxing Day, generally from 9am to 5pm (except the one inside Rideau Centre, which is open 8am to 9pm).

  • Most malls are open on Boxing Day (Westgate isn’t).

  • LCBO stores and Beer Stores close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and for the most part are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Some LCBO stores are listed on their website as being open from 9am to 6pm on Boxing Day, including Carling & Woodroffe, Terry Fox & Campeau, Innes & Tenth Line, Rideau & King Edward, and more. There are also some Beer Stores open on Boxing Day (there’s a table on the Beer Store’s website showing the hours for the upcoming holidays.)

  • SAQ stores in Quebec are closed on Christmas Day but re-open at 1 p.m. on Boxing Day.

  • If you need beer on Boxing Day, you can also try local brewpubs like Mill Street (near Lebreton Flats), Big Rig, Lowertown Brewery, Overflow, Clocktower, etc. They sell beer that you can take home with you.

  • Bridgehead coffee shops are closed on Christmas Day but most will re-open on Boxing Day.

  • Many Starbucks locations are open on Christmas day with reduced hours.

  • Some Tim Hortons are open for Christmas Day, some are not. Hit or miss.

  • Kettleman’s Bagels never closes.

  • Movie theatres are open.

  • Ski hills are open on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day and open again Boxing Day (check your favourite resort to confirm hours).

  • Most banks are closing early on Christmas Eve, and will be closed for Christmas and Boxing Day.

  • No Canada Post mail service on Dec. 25 or 26.

  • National museums are closed on Christmas Day but many are open for Boxing Day. City of Ottawa museums and cultural centres are closed.

Need a doctor or emergency care?

  • You can find healthcare services open during holidays by checking holidayhours.ca

City services

  • No garbage, recycling or composting on Christmas Day. For the rest of the week, garbage pick-up is pushed back a day.

  • Christmas trees will be collected on garbage day, along with your green bin. The city notes: “Christmas trees in plastic bags or frozen into a snowbank will not be collected.”

  • OC Transpo holiday service will run from December 25 to January 5.

  • 3-1-1 service is open for urgent requests.

  • City Hall and Client Service Centres are closed.

  • The Provincial Offences Court is closed.

  • Recreation facilities will be operating on modified schedules during the holiday season. The city’s four refrigerated outdoor rinks are open, weather permitting.

  • Libraries are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

  • Here’s a press release from the city with more info.