Here is an overview of the establishments that will be open or closed on December 31, as well as on December 1is and January 2 – and, in particular, in Quebec and Montreal.
Published at 7:00 a.m.
Shops and food
On December 31, shopping centers will be open, at least from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; but they will be closed on the 1stis January. Likewise, for last minute purchases, the SAQ will be open on December 31 until 5 p.m.; but they will be closed on 1is.
However, some small businesses will be open on 1is January – including essential businesses, such as convenience stores, pharmacies and gas stations.
Some restaurants will be open on December 31 and/or December 1is January ; some will also offer special menus for the occasion.
Most businesses will operate normal hours on January 2. As for the SAQs, only the SAQ Express will be open from 1 p.m. that day.
Transports
Across the province, several transportation companies will add late evening departures, on the night of December 31 to December 1is January – in particular, between midnight and 3 a.m.
On the other hand, the 1is January being a public holiday, most transport companies in the province will offer reduced service on that day, or even interrupted on certain lines. For many, this reduction in service will last until January 2 inclusive.
Please note that with regard to parking, a tolerance will be applied in Quebec in certain areas, where it is usually paid or for a limited time.
Culture
All libraries will be closed on December 31 and December 1is January in Quebec, but some will open from 1 p.m. on the 2nd. In Montreal, the hours of libraries and cultural centers will vary.
The Biodôme, the Biosphere, the Insectarium, the Botanical Garden and the Planetarium will be open on December 31, but will only open from 1 p.m. on December 1is January – with the exception of the outdoor gardens of the Botanical Garden which will be open from 7:30 a.m.
However, the MEM – Montreal Memories Center and the Montreal Science Center will be closed on December 31 and 1is January.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), the Pointe-à-Caillère Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will, for their part, be open on December 31, but closed on December 1is January. Same thing, in Quebec, for the Museum of Civilization and the Museum of the Plains of Abraham.
Sports facilities
In Montreal, the majority of sports facilities remain open during the holiday season. However, the schedule may vary depending on the districts.
The Quartier des spectacles skating rink will be open, but with slightly modified hours: December 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., and December 1is January, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In Quebec, sports facilities will be open if activities are planned there on the 31st and the 2nd, but not on the 1st.is.
Collections and ecocenters
The ecocenters will be closed on December 31 and December 1is January, but will reopen on the 2nd in Montreal and the 3rd in Quebec, according to the usual winter schedule.
Several collections initially planned for 1is January in Montreal will be brought forward or postponed. To find out the dates of collections in your borough, consult Info-Collectes.
Likewise, in Quebec, collections from 1is January will not take place, but will be resumed within 48 hours.
Others
Canada Post offices will be closed on 1is January, and no mail delivery will be made on that day. Banks will also be closed on 1is and January 2, as well as the offices of the Quebec government.
The administrative offices of the City of Montreal and district town halls will be closed from December 24 to January 2. Same thing for the Quebec City offices.
The Montreal SPCA will be open on the 31st, but will only respond to urgent situations on the 1stis and January 2. The Quebec SPA, for its part, will be closed on 1is and January 2, but open December 31 until 4 p.m.
