What's open and closed in Halifax for Thanksgiving Monday 2026
Most major grocery stores, NSLC locations, malls, and municipal facilities in Halifax will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday. Smaller grocers, private liquor stores, drugstores, and some craft beverage producers will remain open. Public transit will operate on a holiday schedule with specific ferry adjustments, while waste collection services are shifted to Saturday, Oct. 10. Paid parking is free on the holiday.
Residents in Halifax preparing for Thanksgiving Day 2026 should plan ahead, as most major grocery stores, shopping centres, and municipal services will be closed on Monday.
Major grocery chains including Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys, Walmart, and Costco will not be operating on the holiday. However, smaller grocers such as Kingswood Market in Hammonds Plains and Gateway Meat Market in Dartmouth will remain open. Most pharmacies and drugstores will also be available to shoppers on Thanksgiving Monday.
All NSLC stores will be closed. Those looking to purchase alcohol can visit private retailers, including Harvest Wines & Spirits, RockHead Wine and Beer Market, and WestSide Beer Wine Spirits, which will be open. Most craft beverage producers will also have their taprooms or storefronts operating throughout the day.
Major retailers and shopping centres, including Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall, will be closed.
Public transit will run on a holiday schedule. Buses and ferries will operate with reduced service. The Alderney ferry will run every half hour starting at 7:30 a.m., with the last trip leaving the Halifax Ferry Terminal at 11:45 p.m. The Woodside ferry will not be operating on Thanksgiving Monday. On-street paid parking will be free across the municipality for the holiday.
There will be no municipal solid waste collection service on Monday. Curbside collection normally scheduled for Monday will instead take place on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Otter Lake facility and municipal recycling centres will be closed on the holiday but will reopen on Saturday during regular business hours. The Household Special Waste Depot will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 10; however, a mobile household special waste depot will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that same day at Mic Mac Mall.
All Halifax Public Library branches will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday. Most municipally operated recreation facilities will also be closed, with the exception of the Sackville Sports Stadium, which will be open. Sunday marks the last day of the fall season for the Emera Oval, where free equipment rentals are available.
The 311 contact centre will be closed for full service on the holiday, though residents can still report urgent issues via phone or email.