What’s Open and What’s Closed on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1, 2025)

Note: We do our best to keep this list accurate, but hours and openings can change without notice. Please check with individual businesses or services directly before making plans.

What’s Closed:

  • Major grocery stores (Sobeys, Superstore, Walmart)
  • NSLC liquor stores
  • Shopping malls (Halifax Shopping Centre, Mic Mac Mall, etc.)
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Halifax Public Libraries
  • Municipal customer service centres
  • Most indoor recreation centres and pools
  • Woodside Ferry

What’s Open:

  • Some local restaurants, cafés, breweries, and bars (check listings for hours)
  • Alderney Ferry (operating on a reduced holiday schedule, typically free)
  • Halifax Transit (runs on holiday/Sunday schedule)
  • Outdoor splashpads and municipal beaches
  • Emera Oval (weather permitting, free equipment lending often available)
  • Most convenience stores and gas stations
  • Attractions & Museums (like the Halifax Citadel, Pier 21, and Maritime Museum, usually offer free admission)

Parking:

  • On-street metered parking is free, but all other posted signage and restrictions still apply (e.g., no-stopping zones, accessible spots).

HRM release:

Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours

There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection services on Tuesday, July 1.

Curbside collection normally scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, will instead occur on Saturday, June 28. Residents are asked to place materials curbside prior to 7 a.m. on collection day to guarantee pickup, ensuring items are contained and secured from wildlife.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility and Materials Recovery Facility will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, but will be open on Monday, June 30, for regular business hours and open Saturday, June 28, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, June 28 but will be open on Saturday, July 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A mobile Household Special Waste Depot will be held on Saturday, June 28, at NSCC Akerley Campus (21 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents can find more information on solid waste facility holiday hours on our website. Residents can also sign up for weekly collection reminders and service alerts, as well as print a calendar customized to their address, on our website.

Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services

Halifax Transit buses and Alderney Ferry service will be operating on holiday schedules on Tuesday, July 1. The Woodside Ferry will not be operating on Tuesday, July 1.

Halifax Transit is pleased to offer free Alderney Ferry service on Tuesday, July 1. In lieu of fares, passengers are encouraged to make a monetary donation to the Parker Street Food Bank. Detailed holiday schedules by individual bus and ferry route can be found on our website.

For the most up-to-date information on Halifax Transit service disruptions, residents can visit: halifax.ca/htdisruptions 

Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services

The Bedford and Cole Harbour outdoor pools, as well as supervised municipal beaches, will open for the season on Tuesday, July 1.

The Halifax Common Aquatics Facility is open for the season. The Bayers-Westwood, George Dixon, Isleville Street, Cole Harbour, Shirley’s, Westmount, and Sackville splashpads are also open for the 2025 season. Please check our website for up-to-date pool and swim schedules.

The Emera Oval will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and equipment lending will be available if weather and surface conditions permit.

Many municipal-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Tuesday, July 1. Please call your local recreation centre for further information.  

Customer Contact Centres

The 311 Contact Centre will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, for full service. However, urgent calls can still be reported. Regular operations will resume on Wednesday, July 2.

In-person Customer Service Centres will be closed on Tuesday, July 1. Customer Service Centres will reopen with regular hours on Wednesday, July 2.

Residents may contact 311 by phone, or by email at: contactus@311.halifax.ca

Further information on Customer Contact Centres can be found on our website.

Parking

Paid on-street parking will be free on Tuesday, July 1. Residents are reminded to abide by all other posted signage and ensure they are not blocking intersections or sidewalks.

Civic Events

Residents are invited to participate in KANA’TA: Canada Day 2025 on Tuesday, July 1. Featured performers include DJ Shub, Boogey the Beat, Manteasah, Matty Galaxy, Fawn Big Canoe and more.

The KANA’TA: Canada Day format was developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities to create programming that honours the traditions of the Mi’kmaq and celebrates pan-Indigenous communities that call the municipality home.

The annual Canada Day fireworks, supported by Canadian Heritage, will take place on Tuesday, July 1, at 11 p.m. The best viewing points will be the Halifax Waterfront Foundation Wharf stage, the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park stage – or most locations on the Dartmouth and Halifax waterfronts.

For a full list of events, visit: hrmcanadaday.ca

Fire Safety

Residents are asked to celebrate safely this weekend and consider attending professional fireworks displays instead of using consumer fireworks.

Residents should also check municipal burning restrictions guidelines (updated at 2 p.m. daily) for the latest guidance. If a burn ban is in place, fireworks will not be permitted.

If consumer fireworks are permitted, residents should select a wide, clear site that is 30 metres by 30 metres (or 100 feet by 100 feet). Consumer fireworks should also be set off away from structures, trees, dry grass, overhanging hydro lines or tree branches.

Have a safe and enjoyable Canada Day.

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