On the occasion of the Christmas festivities, here is an overview of the establishments that will be open or closed on December 24, 25 and 26 – and in particular, in Quebec and Montreal.
Posted at 2:21 p.m.
Shops and food
Notice to latecomers who plan to buy their gifts at the last minute: on December 24, shopping centers will be open, at least from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; but they will be closed on the 25th, and will not open until 1 p.m. on the 26th.
Likewise, the SAQ will be open on December 24 until 4 p.m.; but they will be closed on the 25th and 26th.
However, some small businesses will be open on December 25 and 26 – including essential businesses, such as convenience stores and gas stations.
As for pharmacies, many of them will be open on the 25th, with the exception of those located in shopping centers. Many will also close earlier than usual on the 24th, or have reduced hours on the 25th.
Some restaurants will be open on December 24, 25 and/or 26; some will also offer special menus for the occasion.
Transports
Since December 25 and 26 are considered public holidays, most transport companies in the province offer reduced service on this day, or even interrupted on certain lines.
The 24th, on the other hand, is considered by many of them as a normal day, or as a Saturday; the frequency of the service could therefore be slightly modified, but, overall, less than the 25th or the 26th.
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 24 and 25 in Quebec, but some will open at 1 p.m. on the 26th. In Montreal, the hours of libraries and cultural centers will vary.
Several cinemas will be open on the 24th, 25th and 26th.
In Montreal, it will be difficult to find a museum open during the Christmas period. In particular, the Biodôme, the Biosphere, the Insectarium, the Botanical Garden (with the exception of the outdoor gardens) and the Planetarium will be closed on December 24 and 25, as will the MEM – Center of Montreal Memories, the Center of Sciences de Montréal and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC).
The Museum of Fine Arts and the Pointe-à-Caillère Museum will, however, be open on the 24th, but closed on the 25th. 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 24, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and December 25, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In Quebec, sports facilities will be open if activities are planned there on the 24th or 26th, but not on the 25th.
Collections and ecocenters
The ecocenters will be closed on December 24, 25 and 26.
Several collections initially planned for December 25 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 on the 25th will not take place, but will be resumed within 48 hours.
Others
Canada Post offices will be closed on December 25 and 26, and no delivery or collection of mail will be made on these days. All banks will also be closed on these dates, as will government offices.
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 24th, but will only respond to urgent situations on the 25th and 26th. The Quebec SPCA, for its part, will be closed on December 25 and 26, but open on the 24th until 4 p.m. .
