As the glittering celebrations of New Year’s Eve come to a close, the first day of the year brings varying schedules across Toronto. Many businesses and services will adjust their hours to mark the holiday, and some will be completely closed. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s open and closed on January 1st in the bustling city of Toronto!

Government Services and Banks: What You Need to Know

Most government offices, including banks, Canada Post locations, and the Toronto Public Library, will be closed on New Year’s Day. If you had planned to take care of any official business, you’ll need to wait until the following day.

Garbage Collection Changes

Heads up for residents! If your garbage collection day falls on January 1, it will be shifted to January 2. This means collection will be delayed by one day throughout the week, with Wednesday’s pickups moving to Thursday, Thursday’s to Friday, and so on.

Transit Services: Free Rides and Special Schedules!

In good news for party-goers, both the TTC and GO Transit will offer FREE services from 7 p.m. on December 31 until 8 a.m. on January 1, providing extra lines to accommodate the holiday crowds. Following this, GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule and the TTC will follow a Sunday schedule for the day.

Grocery and Alcohol Availability

For those in search of provisions, most LCBO stores and beer retailers will be closed on New Year’s Day. However, select grocery stores will remain open, so be sure to verify the operational hours of your nearby markets. Notably, St. Lawrence Market will close for the day. Pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall may have certain locations open, so check your local area for details.

Attractions and Entertainment Options Abound!

Many tourist attractions will welcome visitors on January 1, perfect for those seeking post-celebration activities. Below are highlighted hours for some popular spots: - **Aga Khan Museum**: Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. - **Art Gallery of Ontario**: Open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - **Royal Ontario Museum**: Open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - **Toronto Zoo**: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - **High Park Zoo**: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - **Distillery District**: Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - **Ripley’s Aquarium**: Open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Note: The highly popular restaurant is closed for the day.) - **CN Tower**: Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - **Casa Loma**: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the beloved Holiday Lights Tour running from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. - **Movies**: Cinemas across the city will be screening films for those looking to relax indoors. - **Outdoor Skating**: Weather permitting, you might find select outdoor rinks open. For the most up-to-date information including hours, check toronto.ca/skate.

Shopping on New Year’s Day

While some shopping destinations will remain open, others such as Sherway Gardens, Dufferin Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Fairview Mall, Shops at Don Mills, and Yorkdale Mall will be closed for the holiday. Before heading out, confirm the operational status of your favorite shopping centers.

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