What this post covers:
1. What's open on Thanksgiving in Ottawa in 2026, and whether the LCBO is open on Thanksgiving Monday (it isn't)
2. A store-by-store open/closed table, plus the City's confirmed Monday service changes
3. OC Transpo's holiday schedule, O-Train hours, and a day-by-day plan for the long weekend
1. What's open on Thanksgiving in Ottawa in 2026, and whether the LCBO is open on Thanksgiving Monday (it isn't)
2. A store-by-store open/closed table, plus the City's confirmed Monday service changes
3. OC Transpo's holiday schedule, O-Train hours, and a day-by-day plan for the long weekend
If you've done this before in Ottawa
You know the Thanksgiving Monday scramble: the turkey is thawed, someone needs wine, and the store down the street has its lights off. In Ottawa the rules are a mix of provincial law, city schedules, and a few local exceptions, so no single store tells you what the rest are doing. This guide pulls it together so you can do your shopping on Saturday, not Monday afternoon.
Oct 12Thanksgiving Monday, 2026
SundayOC Transpo bus and O-Train schedule on the holiday
ClosedLCBO and The Beer Store, all day Monday
$12.25OC Transpo 2-for-1 DayPass for two riders 11+
Most Shops Close, Transit Runs, City Services Pause
On Monday, October 12, 2026, expect banks, the LCBO, The Beer Store, and the Ottawa Public Library to be closed, most large grocery stores to be closed, and OC Transpo to run on a Sunday schedule. City garbage and recycling collection is skipped and pushed to Tuesday. A handful of exempt stores, malls, pharmacies, and restaurants will be open, so check before you head out.
Open or Closed on Thanksgiving Monday: By Store Type
| Store type | Monday, Oct 12 | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| LCBO | Closed | Every LCBO is closed on Thanksgiving Monday. Buy Saturday or Sunday. |
| The Beer Store | Closed | Also closed on Monday. |
| Large grocery stores | Mostly closed | A few exempt locations open. Last year, Whole Foods (Lansdowne), Farm Boy (Rideau Centre), Loblaws (Isabella St), and Metro (Rideau St) stayed open; check this year's hours. |
| ByWard Market & Glebe shops | Some open | CBC reporting has noted stores in these areas can open on some holidays, including Thanksgiving Monday. Check each business. |
| Malls | Varies | Rideau Centre and Tanger Outlets were open last year (store hours vary); other malls, including St. Laurent, were listed as closed. |
| Pharmacies | Some open | Select Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall locations open on holiday hours. Refill prescriptions by Saturday. |
| Restaurants & cafés | Many open | Not covered by Ontario's retail holiday closing law, but plenty close for the family holiday. Check or reserve. |
| Museums & attractions | Varies | City-run museums and galleries are closed. Several national museums opened last Thanksgiving Monday, while the Ottawa Art Gallery and Diefenbunker were closed. |
| Banks | Closed | ATMs and online banking still work; mail service resumes Tuesday. |
| Ottawa Public Library | Closed | All branches, the Bookmobile, Home Services, and InfoService. Reopens Tuesday, October 13; digital content stays available. |
City services, the library, and OC Transpo reflect the City of Ottawa's 2026 notice. Store-level rows reflect recent Thanksgivings and Ontario's holiday closing rules, so call ahead before you go.
Is the LCBO Open on Thanksgiving Monday 2026 in Ottawa?
No. The LCBO closes on Thanksgiving Monday, and so does The Beer Store, making it the one day of the year with almost no regular alcohol retail. Plan around it: most LCBOs close earlier on Sundays (often 6 pm), so Saturday is the safest day to buy. Some grocery stores that are open on Monday may sell beer, wine, and cider, and some rural LCBO convenience outlets have operated in the past, but don't count on either without checking.
OC Transpo Thanksgiving Holiday Service
| Service | Monday, Oct 12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Buses & O-Train | Sunday schedule |
| O-Train Line 1 | 8 am to 11 pm |
| O-Train Lines 2 and 4 | 7:30 am to 11:30 pm |
| Fares | 2-for-1 DayPass: $12.25 for two riders 11+. Kids 10 and under ride free. |
| Rideau Centre customer service | Open 10 am to 6 pm |
| Para Transpo | Regular and recurring bookings cancelled automatically; book trips from Monday, Oct 5 at 613-560-5000 or on My Para Transpo |
Your Long Weekend, Day by Day
Sat, Oct 10Best shopping day. Normal weekend hours at most stores; last full day for the LCBO and The Beer Store. City Archives close from today.
Sun, Oct 11Last call. Shorter Sunday hours at the LCBO and Beer Store; final chance for groceries and pharmacy. Regular OC Transpo Sunday service.
Mon, Oct 12Thanksgiving. Most retail, banks, and the library closed. No curbside collection. OC Transpo on a Sunday schedule.
Tue, Oct 13Back to normal. Library and City services reopen; Monday's garbage is picked up and collection runs one day late all week.
City of Ottawa Services on October 12
Garbage & recyclingNo curbside green bin, recycling, garbage, or bulky item pickup Monday. It happens Tuesday, then runs one day late for the rest of the week. Multi-residential garbage containers keep their regular day.
LandfillThe Trail Waste Facility Landfill is open Monday from 9 am to 5 pm.
RecreationMost recreation and community centres are closed. Select pools, arenas, and fitness complexes run a modified schedule, so check before you go.
Client services & 311ServiceOttawa counters and phone lines are closed, and 3-1-1 handles urgent matters only. City museums, galleries, Ben Franklin Place, and Shenkman Arts Centre are closed.
Why Most Stores Close: Ontario's Retail Holiday Law
Thanksgiving is one of seven days on which Ontario's Retail Business Holidays Act still requires retail businesses to close. Family Day and Victoria Day were removed from that list in 2026, but Thanksgiving was not. The law has exceptions by business type and tourism area, and municipalities can pass their own by-laws, which is why a few Ottawa shops open while most don't. Staff also have a separate right to refuse a holiday shift; our guide for retail workers covers that.
Your Pre-Thanksgiving Checklist
- ▸Buy alcohol Saturday, or Sunday before closing time. Monday has no LCBO or Beer Store backup.
- ▸Finish grocery shopping by Sunday, including the last-minute items like butter, cream, and extra bread.
- ▸Refill prescriptions and pick up essentials before Monday.
- ▸Return library books through Sunday; branches are closed Monday and reopen Tuesday.
- ▸Put your bins out Tuesday, not Monday, and check the collection calendar for the rest of the week.
- ▸Plan Monday trips around the Sunday transit schedule, and call any store or restaurant before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is the LCBO open on Thanksgiving Monday 2026 in Ottawa?
No. LCBO stores, including those in Ottawa, are closed on Monday, October 12, and The Beer Store is closed too.
Q. Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in Ottawa?
Most large chains close, but a few exempt locations open. Check each store's hours on Sunday or Monday morning before you go.
Q. Is OC Transpo running on Thanksgiving Monday?
Yes, on a Sunday schedule. O-Train Line 1 runs 8 am to 11 pm, and Lines 2 and 4 run 7:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Q. Is there garbage collection on Thanksgiving Monday in Ottawa?
No. Curbside collection moves to Tuesday and is delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
Q. Are Ottawa Public Library branches open?
No. All branches and services are closed Monday and resume Tuesday, October 13. Digital content stays available online.
Q. Are banks and Canada Post open on October 12?
No. Banks and mail service are closed and resume Tuesday. ATMs and online banking remain available.
Q. Where can I get help in an urgent situation on Monday?
Call 3-1-1 for urgent City matters; the line is open for urgent issues only. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Key Takeaways
LCBO closedso is The Beer Store
Shop SaturdaySunday hours are shorter
OC Transpo: SundayO-Train runs all day
Bins on Tuesdaypickup delayed one day all week
Your turn
Found a grocery store, pharmacy, or restaurant that's open on Thanksgiving Monday in your Ottawa neighbourhood? Tell us in the comments — it helps your neighbours plan.
Ontario Thanksgiving 2026: Is October 12 a Stat Holiday for Retail Workers? →
Your pay and refusal rights if you work retail.
How to Volunteer in Ottawa: Building Canadian Experience →
The food bank is always a good way to give back this season.
Statutory Holidays in Canada 2027: Full Dates, Long Weekends & Ontario Guide →
Plan next year's long weekends early.
This post reflects publicly available information current as of October 7, 2026. Store hours, transit schedules, and city services can change, and individual stores set their own holiday hours — always confirm directly with the business or the City of Ottawa before you head out.