What’s open and closed in Ottawa on New Year’s Day

With New Year’s Day falling on a Monday, it means a long weekend for many in the nation’s capital, but if you’re looking for something to help shake off that New Year’s Eve hangover on the first day of 2024, there are few options available in the city.

Many businesses will be operating on holiday hours and several services will be paused and/or postponed by one day, though all malls and shopping centres are closed.

Banks, Canada Post offices and government services are closed. The Ottawa Public Library is also closed.

If your garbage pick up day is Monday, it will switch to Tuesday this week. Recycling collection that is normally scheduled for Tuesday will be moved to Wednesday this week. The rest of the week remains unchanged.

Here’s what else is open and closed in Ottawa:

TRANSIT

OC Transpo will operate on a modified holiday schedule as a 2.5 per cent fare hike comes into effect.

Transit is also offering a 2-for-1 DayPass on New Year’s Day where two customers, 13 years of age or older, can ride all day for the price of one DayPass.

GROCERY AND ALCOHOL

LCBO and Beer stores are closed. 

Most grocery stores are closed except for Whole Foods at Lansdowne and Loblaws at 64 Isabella Street. Check with your local grocer for hours of operation.

Select Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall locations are open. Check your local area for other pharmacy store hours.

RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES

Pools, arenas and fitness centres will operate on modified schedules during the holiday season, including public swimming, fitness and public skating facilities. Please check the city’s website for Winter Break drop-in schedules.

Some holiday-themed registered programs will be offered at community centres and arenas. Browse register.ottawa.ca or check with your facility to register.

The City’s four refrigerated outdoor rinks are open, weather permitting. Check the alert status on the homepage before going.

Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink has scheduled activities that may be altered for the Winter Break. Community outdoor rinks will open after the weather is favourable for ice-making.

Sledding hills will be open, weather permitting. Check the alert status on the homepage.

Shenkman Arts Centre, the Box Office at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe and the Archives Branch (James Bartleman Centre and the Rideau Archives) are all closed.

Cineplex Odeon theatres are open.