Well Toronto, the much-needed Victoria Day long weekend is finally here.

And while the weekend won't be filled with food and music festivals and cottage escapes like in years past, residents can still make the most of it, especially now that the provincial government is reopening many outdoor recreational activities over the weekend.

As of Saturday, May 22, outdoor recreational amenities including golf courses and driving ranges, soccer and other sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and skate parks will be allowed to reopen. Additionally, outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded to five people.

That being said, while most of the city will be shut down for Victoria Day on May 24, there will be some exceptions.

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Closed

General:

  • The LCBO
  • Banks
  • Provincial and municipal government offices
  • Post offices and mail delivery

Open

  • The TTC will operate on a holiday service schedule, which means all TTC routes will operate on their Sunday service schedules but will start earlier, at approximately 6 am. Any routes that do not normally run on Sundays will not operate on the holiday.
  • GO Transit will be running, though it will be operating on a Sunday schedule.
  • Some restaurants will still be open for takeout and delivery. We advise calling ahead to see what’s open near you.
  • Select Beer Store locations will be open in the Toronto area from 11 am to 6 pm on May 24.

essential businessesImage by Squirrel_photos from Pixabay

  • FarmBoy: 777 Bay Street and 207 Queens Quay West will be open from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Fresh and Wild: Spadina location open from 9 am to 8 pm
  • Galleria Supermarket (7040 Yonge Street): Open 24 hours
  • Galleria Supermarket (865 York Mills Road): 7 am to 10 pm
  • Galleria Supermarket (558 Yonge Street): 8 am to 10 pm
  • Galleria Supermarket (351 Bloor Street West): 8 am to 10 pm
  • Loblaws (60 Carlton Street): 7 am to 8 pm
  • Longo’s: Select locations in the Toronto area will be open from 8 am to 5 pm
  • Pusateri’s: 57 Yorkville Avenue location is open from 8 am to 6 pm, 2901 Bayview Avenue from 7 am to 6 pm, and the 1539 Avenue Road location is open from 7 am to 6 pm.
  • Various Rabba locations: Rabba Fine Foods says at this time, it remains open to serve customers 24/7
  • Sobey’s High Park: from 8 am to 10 pm
  • The Food Depot (Dupont Street): Open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
  • The Kitchen Table (10 Queens Quay West): Open 7 days per week, 6 am to 12 am
  • The Kitchen Table (389 Spadina Road): Open 7 days per week, 7 am to 12 am
  • The Kitchen Table (705 King Street West): Open 7 days per week, 6 am to 2 am
  • Various Rabba locations: Rabba Fine Foods says at this time, it remains open to serve customers 24/7
  • Whole Foods: 87 Avenue Road location is open from 10 am to 6 pm

retail salesToronto Eaton Centre, @shotsbyfreddy/Instagram

There will also be a some shopping centres open for essential services and curbside pickup and delivery:

  • CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street): 11 am to 7 pm
  • Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Avenue East): 11 am to 8 pm
  • Promenade (1 Promenade Circle): 11 am to 6 pm
  • Toronto Premium Outlets (13850 Steeles Avenue West): 11 am to 7 pm

Family DayShutterstock

Select pharmacies will also be open on Victoria Day, including:

  • Shoppers Drug Mart: Most locations will be open in the GTA. To see if your store location near you is open, check here
  • Rexall: 159 Yonge Street open from 9 am to 6 pm; 250 University Avenue open from 9 am to 7 pm, and 777 Bay Street open from 8 am to 7 pm.

Have a safe and happy long weekend, Toronto!

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