Halifax and Manitoba Set Thanksgiving Holiday Hours for Services

Residents of Halifax and Manitoba will encounter different holiday schedules for shopping, public transportation, waste collection and recreation on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, 2026. According to CBC News and a report published by Yahoo News, many Halifax businesses and public facilities will close, while several Winnipeg shopping centers, the Assiniboine Park Zoo and selected recreational facilities will remain open.

In Halifax, major grocery retailers, including Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore and Costco, will close for the holiday, according to CBC News. All Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation stores, Halifax Shopping Centre, Mic Mac Mall and Sunnyside Mall will also be closed, although some pharmacies will operate.

Gateway Meat Market in Dartmouth will remain open. All Halifax Public Libraries branches will close, and many municipally operated recreation facilities will suspend operations, with Sackville Sports Stadium excluded from the closures.

Halifax Transit and the Alderney ferry will follow holiday schedules. The first Alderney ferry departure will leave the Alderney terminal at 7:30 a.m., while the last departure will leave the Halifax terminal at 11:45 p.m. The Woodside ferry will not operate.

Halifax's regular garbage, organics and recycling collection will pause for the day. The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility and Materials Recovery Facility will also close. On-street paid parking will be free, while the 311 citizen contact center will suspend full-service requests but continue accepting urgent calls. Regular 311 operations will resume Tuesday.

Manitoba will offer more shopping options, particularly in Winnipeg. According to Yahoo News, St. Vital, Kildonan Place, CF Polo Park, Garden City and Outlet Collection will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Shoppers Mall in Brandon will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Liquor Mart locations in Winnipeg, except the True North Square store, and those in Brandon will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rural Manitoba locations will generally open between 11 a.m. and noon and close between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., although hours will vary. The Forks Market will also open, with individual vendors setting their own schedules.

Most government offices in Manitoba will close, but Winnipeg's regular waste and recycling collection will continue. The Brady Road Landfill will serve commercial customers from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot will accept residential customers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Winnipeg Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule. Brandon Transit will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while its Transit Information Centre will close. Winnipeg's Animal Services Agency will also remain closed.

Public recreation options in Winnipeg will vary. All public libraries will close, as will indoor pools except the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex, Margaret Grant Pool and Pan Am Pool. City-run golf courses at Canoe Club, Crescent Drive, Kildonan Park and Windsor Park will open depending on weather conditions.

The Assiniboine Park Zoo will welcome visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with gates closing at 3:30 p.m. Transcona, St. Vital and Brookside cemeteries will remain open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., although the Brookside administrative office will close. Most major theaters will also operate on Thanksgiving Monday.