Victoria Day 2026 in Ottawa brings a major change for shoppers, adjusted transit schedules, splash pad openings and holiday closures across city services. The federal holiday falls on Monday, May 18, and marks both the unofficial start of summer in Canada and the closing days of Ottawaâs annual Canadian Tulip Festival.
This year is especially notable because Ontario has removed Victoria Day from the Retail Business Holidays Act, allowing more retailers and shopping centres to remain open if they choose. Businesses that operate on the holiday must still provide eligible employees with premium holiday pay or alternative time-off arrangements under Ontario labour rules.
Whatâs open in Ottawa on Victoria Day 2026
Several major shopping centres across Ottawa will remain open during the holiday Monday, although some stores may reduce operating hours.
The following malls are expected to operate until 6 p.m.:
⢠Rideau Centre
⢠Bayshore Shopping Centre
⢠Place dâOrlĂŠans
⢠St. Laurent Shopping Centre
⢠Tanger Outlets Ottawa
Most grocery stores are also now permitted to open under the provinceâs updated retail holiday rules, though schedules vary by retailer and location.
The LCBO store locator confirms that selected Ontario stores will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Victoria Day. Several Ottawa Beer Store locations will also open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Restaurants, movie theatres, gas stations and many tourist attractions are also expected to remain open throughout the long weekend.
Whatâs closed in Ottawa on Victoria Day 2026
Most municipal and government-operated services will close for the statutory holiday.
Closed services include:
⢠Ottawa Public Library branches and online support services
⢠ServiceOttawa counters and phone lines
⢠Provincial court at 100 Constellation Dr.
⢠City-operated sexual health clinics
⢠Municipal dental clinics
⢠Municipal child care centres
⢠City of Ottawa museums
⢠Ottawa Art Gallery
Ottawaâs 311 line will continue operating for urgent city-related matters, while Ontario residents can still access Health811 for non-emergency health guidance.
OC Transpo and Victoria Day transit schedules
OC Transpo will operate on a Sunday schedule across the transit network.
O-Train Line 1: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
O-Train Lines 2 and 4: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Para Transpo recurring bookings for Monday are automatically cancelled. Riders needing transportation must rebook online or by calling customer service.
Travellers should also expect heavier-than-normal traffic near Parliament Hill, Dowâs Lake and Tulip Festival areas during the long weekend.
Parking rules and road information
All City of Ottawa parking regulations and restrictions remain fully in effect on Victoria Day, including paid parking zones, loading restrictions and temporary no-parking areas.
Visitors heading to parks, beaches and downtown festival areas are encouraged to arrive early due to expected long-weekend congestion.
For drivers planning travel elsewhere in Ontario during the holiday weekend, Torontoâs waterfront fireworks celebration is also expected to draw large crowds, including the Victoria Day 2026 fireworks event at Ashbridges Bay Park.
Museums, splash pads and outdoor activities
Victoria Day weekend traditionally signals the beginning of Ottawaâs outdoor recreation season.
Thirty splash pads across the city officially open on Saturday ahead of the holiday weekend. Beaches and wading pools are scheduled to open in June, along with most outdoor pools. The Crestview Pool remains an exception and will not open with the rest of the outdoor facilities.
Washrooms at Britannia Beach, Mooneyâs Bay and Petrie Island beaches reopen this weekend alongside paid daytime parking operations.
Several national museums and attractions remain open during the holiday, including:
⢠National Gallery of Canada
⢠Canadian Museum of Nature
⢠Canadian Museum of History
⢠Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
⢠Canada Aviation and Space Museum
⢠Canada Science and Technology Museum
⢠Canadian War Museum
Visitors can review operating hours and ticket availability through the Ingenium Canada museum network.
Garbage, recycling and waste collection changes
There will be no curbside collection for garbage, recycling or green bins in Ottawa on Monday.
Any collection scheduled for Victoria Day moves to Tuesday, with all remaining pickups delayed by one day throughout the week.
Multi-residential garbage container collection continues as normal, though recycling containers, green bins and bulky-item collection schedules will shift by one day.
The Trail Road Waste Facility will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Barrie Victoria Day closures and services
Victoria Day service adjustments are also in place across Barrie.
The following Barrie facilities and services will close Monday:
⢠Barrie City Hall
⢠Recreation and community centres
⢠Barrie Transit
Unlike Ottawa, Barrieâs curbside garbage and recycling collection schedule will continue without interruption during the holiday week.
Residents are reminded that yard waste collection takes place every other week, alternating alongside regular garbage collection schedules.
Barrie fireworks and holiday parking rules
Residents in Barrie are permitted to use fireworks on Victoria Day until 11 p.m. under municipal bylaws.
Downtown on-street parking and municipal parking lots will be free on the statutory holiday. However, waterfront parking rules remain enforced 24 hours a day.
The Spirit Catcher, Simcoe Street Lot and North Marina parking areas continue operating as hybrid waterfront parking zones with paid enforcement active throughout the holiday weekend.
Barrie residents using designated waterfront parking areas may qualify for free access through the cityâs digital waterfront permit system.
Victoria Day weather and long-weekend travel outlook
Environment Canada forecasts milder temperatures across eastern Ontario during the Victoria Day weekend, with large crowds expected at parks, waterfronts and festival locations.
CAA and Ontario Provincial Police also traditionally warn drivers to prepare for heavier highway traffic during Victoria Day weekend, particularly along Highway 401 routes connecting Ottawa, Toronto and cottage country destinations.
Canadians travelling during the long weekend are encouraged to check transit schedules, weather alerts and attraction hours before leaving home, as holiday operations may vary by municipality and business.
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