Long weekend in Ottawa comes with closures

The long weekend is upon the nation’s capital, and with that comes closures and possibly thunderstorms.

Many stores and services are closed on Good Friday and Easter on Sunday, unfortunate given the weather is not set to cooperate in the region.

Thursday temperatures are cool at 11 C and the sun is out, but thunderstorms and rain showers will dominate Friday and Saturday. According to Environment Canada, it should be around 15 C with a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon for the holiday on April 18.

Saturday should be even warmer with a high of 17 C but rain will be present all day, the weather agency predicts.

Easter it’s set to cool down to 9 C but the sun could peek out over the day.

Groceries and LCBO

Most big-chain grocery stores will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but some select locations will be open. Check with the local grocer for hours of operation.

LCBO and Beer stores will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

OC Transpo

On April 18, buses and O-Train lines will run on a Sunday schedule. On Monday, buses and Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule and lines 2 and 4 will be a normal weekday schedule.

ParaTranspo trips will be automatically cancelled on Friday and Monday.

Waste collection

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection will not happen on Friday or Monday. Both will be bumped to the next day. Other collections will be delayed for the remainder of the week. The Trail Waste Facility Landfill will be open on April 18 and April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community spaces

Recreational services and facilities will have altered hours or closed this weekend. The city is asking people to check local pools, arenas and community spaces.

Arts centres and city-operated museums will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday.

All branches of Ottawa Public Library (including Bookmobile, Homebound services and InfoService) will be closed on Friday, April 18, Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21.

What to do this weekend in Ottawa?

There are a number of Easter-related activities for families and people to enjoy, and some places are open to give people something to do.

• The Ottawa Senators as they go head-to-head with the Carolina Hurricanes at the CT Centre
• All weekend the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Valleyview Little Animal Farm.
• Easter at the Log Farm: Admission includes an Easter egg hunt in the forest and a scenic wagon ride.
• Soft lambs, observe fluffy newly hatched chicks and turkey poults up close, and learn about the transformation of cacao beans into chocolate—complete with a delicious sample at the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum.
• Saturday, April 19 | Stanley’s is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for kids and kids at heart both.
• On Saturday people can enjoy spring at the Carp Farmers’ Easter Market, both inside and outside
• Fesh veggies, fruits, honey, maple syrup, oils, hot sauces, home décor, preserves, baked goods, and prepared foods at the Metcalfe Farmers Easter Market