When is a long weekend not a long weekend? When the holiday falls on a Tuesday.
So while it feels like a holiday on Monday, it really isn't, although some businesses have given their employees the day off. The rest of us have to work.
That means most of the usual places are open Monday and you'll be able to cash that cheque at your local bank, buy groceries for the July 1st backyard BBQ and even wait endlessly for service at a government office. Things change radically on Tuesday.
Open On Tuesday
Not much. It's a legal holiday and stores that open could face big fines. Only businesses in designated tourist areas will be allowed to take your money. That means the Yonge St. strip - including the Eaton Centre. Also getting the special pass: Vaughan Mills up north and the Pacific Mall on Steeles Ave., the only place in the eastern part of Canada that's also open on Christmas Day.
Closed
The usual suspects, including:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets (see note below)
- Malls,
- Banks,
- Government offices,
- Beer/Liquor stores,
- Libraries,
- No mail delivery,
- TTC and GO on holiday schedule.
Garbage collection is as normal in the city of Toronto, so if your regular day is Tuesday, put everything out. But it's not the same all over. The City of Vaughan, for instance, has advanced everything by a day. That means those with Friday service will have it on a rare Saturday instead.
Check your local city's website to see what its specific plans are.
Everything returns to normal on Wednesday and the rest of the week, although it may be hard to get a lot of work out of people on what essentially feels like an entire week off.
A few in select areas of cottage country will actually be open, but none in the GTA. The exception appears to be the Valu-Marts at 55 Bloor St. W. near Bay and the outlet at 2266 Queen St. E. in the Beach, which will both be up and running from 10am-5pm.
A number of selected chains will have their stores closed, but open their garden centres for those who want to test their green thumbs. Lowes, for example, has announced it will cater to the soil and dirt set, although its stores will be closed. Check your local outlet and company for details.
Road Closures
What would a holiday be without a few roadblocks? The Gay Pride festivities that tied up a large part of the downtown core this weekend are over, but there are a couple of Canada Day events that will stop traffic for a time.
HBC Run for Canada
The charity race will shut down Lake Shore Blvd. W from Ontario to Windermdere from 5am-10am
Canada Day at Queen's Park
The celebration of Canada's birthday will see Queen's Park Cres. off limits from College to Charles for 12 hours from about 7am-7pm. The free party is expected to attract some 10,000 people. See the schedule here.
Affected roads include:
Queen's Park Crescent East: College to Wellesley St. W.
Queen's Park Crescent West: College to Hoskin Ave.
Wellesley St. W.: Queen's Park Cr. E. to Queen's Park Cr. W.
Grosvenor St.: Queen's Park Cr. E. to Surrey Place
Canada Day Parade
Scarborough gets into the national spirit with a procession that will shut down Brimley from Lawrence to Progress Ave. from 4pm-8:30pm. Borough Dr. will also be closed from Town Centre Ct. to Omni Drive between 2pm-7pm.
Parade Route: (starts at 5pm)
Borough Drive
Westbound: Borough Drive,
Westbound: Omni Drive,
Southbound: Brimley Road,
Ends at Brimley Road, north of Lawrence Ave. E.
There may be some TTC delays, but transit vehicles will be allowed through.
See other Toronto Canada Day events here.
Free Jully Black Concert in Vaughan
Fireworks
It's probably the biggest day of the year in the GTA for fireworks. Here's where you can see the late light shows in your area.
Free Shows
Toronto
Downsview Park
Lots of other entertainment but the sky event gets underway at 10pm.
Mel Lastman Square
Fireworks will follow a Canada Day concert. The music starts at 7pm, with the light fantastic tripping at dusk. See the line-up here.
Ashbridge's Bay
The city's traditional place for free fireworks will be lit up again, starting at around 9:30pm.
Amesbury Park
The park promises musical entertainment and exhibits beginning at 10am. It wraps up with pyrotechnics as a finale. It's located at 1507 Lawrence Ave. W., between Keele and Culford Rd.
Centennial Park
Etobicoke gets into the spirit by holding its own bash at its most famous green space. The 6th annual Ribfest will bring music and food starting at noon, and the day will be capped by a fireworks display at dusk.
Milliken Park
Scarborough gets into the Canada Day spirit following its parade, with a fireworks display at Milliken Park. It starts at 10pm
Woodbine Beach
Sun, sand, surf and fireworks mean you'll never be bored as you walk along the Beach - although you could be 'boardwalk.' The show starts around 9:30pm and you're invited to bring your own beach chairs. Find more about the show here.
GTA
Mississauga
City Centre
A day of entertainment starts at 1pm and ends with fireworks at 10pm. Details here
Streetsville Memorial Park
Promises lots of entertainment before the sun goes down, and just as much after, starting with the singing of O Canada at 9:55pm and a late light show beginning at 10pm.
Brampton
Chinguacousy Park
You won't have to Guess Who's coming to this celebration - Burton Cummings headlines the show, which includes fireworks. Events run from 10am-10:30pm.
Milton
Milton Fair Grounds
Events start at 10am and continue until the fuse is lit on the big finale at 10pm
Oakville
Bronte Village gets lit up with a day of entertainment and a night of fireworks. It starts early with a pancake breakfast at 8am and continues until the grand finale at 10pm.
Pickering
Kinsmen Park holds a day of events beginning at noon. Fireworks get underway after sundown.
Whitby
Head to Pringle Creek Park at 90 Ribbesdale Drive for a show that begins at 7pm and brings the night to an end with fireworks at dusk.
Oshawa
The noon start to the Canada Day festivities at Lakeview Park includes live entertainment and carnival rides, along with a lot of night lights at dusk.
Pay Events
Richmond Hill
Richmond Green Park
There's a small admission fee (just a toonie for adults) for a day of events, which organizers promise will end with the "largest municipal fireworks display in Canada." They start at 10pm.
Ontario Place
The Festival of Fire actually started on June 28th, and continues on the 1st, 3rd and 5th. Yours to discover with admission at 10:30pm.
Canada's Wonderland
The sky explodes at the theme park around 10pm.
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