Canadian Thanksgiving falls on Monday, October 12, 2026. Across Burlington and Hamilton, the long weekend brings familiar seasonal traditions, from a walk by the lake to a visit to a fall festival. It also means holiday hours: many public services and larger retailers will be closed Monday, while some local attractions and outdoor spaces remain open.
Use this guide to plan ahead, check with individual operators before setting out, and make the most of a weekend that celebrates both community and home.
What’s Open, What’s Closed on Thanksgiving Monday
Expect these closures
- Government offices and many municipal services: Burlington City Hall and administrative services close Monday. Hamilton administrative offices and customer-service counters also close.
- Banks, major grocery stores, LCBO and Beer Store locations: Expect these to be closed in both cities. Confirm directly with any smaller independent store you plan to visit.
- Hamilton recreation centres and indoor pools: Closed for the holiday. Hamilton Public Library branches, Hamilton Civic Museums, Hamilton Farmers’ Market and the Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse are also listed as closed.
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum: Its published schedule lists regular opening days as Wednesday through Sunday, so it is not a Monday option. Check the museum’s hours and admission information before planning a visit on another day of the weekend.
Burlington and Hamilton services can differ, so check the City of Burlington’s Thanksgiving notice and the City of Hamilton’s holiday announcement for current details.
These options are available
- Burlington Transit: Runs on a Sunday schedule, approximately 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check the Burlington Transit schedule and trip-planning information before travelling.
- Hamilton Street Railway (HSR): Runs on a Sunday schedule. The city notes that the last trips leave downtown at about midnight; routes 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East do not operate on the Sunday schedule. Check the HSR holiday schedule.
- Burlington pools and golf: Centennial Pool and Tansley Woods Pool are open for recreational and lane swimming, and Tyandaga Golf Course is open for the fall season. Program times vary, so check the City’s drop-in schedule or book a Tyandaga Golf Course tee time.
- Downtown Burlington parking: Parking is free on Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12, including downtown street spaces, municipal lots and the garage at 414 Locust Street. Waterfront parking lots are not included in the holiday exemption. See the City’s parking details.
- Parks, trails, conservation areas, movie theatres and most restaurants: These remain options in Hamilton, but hours and access can vary. Confirm directly with the venue, and follow trail and parking signs.
Local Attractions to Put on Your Plan
Catch the final day of a fall tradition
The Rockton World’s Fair runs through Thanksgiving Monday. On October 12, the fairgrounds are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with rides and the midway starting at 11 a.m. Check the fair’s official visit information for the schedule, admission and ticket details. The City of Hamilton event listing also confirms the dates.
The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival runs Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find artisan vendors, local food, live music and guided nature activities at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in Lincoln. Festival admission is listed as $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and children ages 6–11; children five and under are free. Check the festival information and official ticket page before you go. On-site parking is limited, so consider carpooling.
Make time for gardens and waterfront paths
The Royal Botanical Gardens lists daytime garden hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the May–October season, with final entry one hour before closing. Garden areas may have different hours, so confirm your destination on the RBG hours page before leaving.
For a simpler outing, walk a stretch of the Waterfront Trail near Spencer Smith Park, Bayfront Park or Pier 4. Pack layers, check conditions and allow time to enjoy the shoreline at an unhurried pace.
Make Thanksgiving Feel Like a Neighbourhood
You don’t need a packed itinerary to enjoy the long weekend. Pick one or two local outings, leave room for a family meal, and make the most of the season.
- Walk the Waterfront Trail. Start around Spencer Smith Park in Burlington or explore the waterfront paths near Bayfront Park and Pier 4 in Hamilton. Check posted signs and parking rules.
- Take a drive for escarpment colours. Choose a scenic route through the area, leave extra time for traffic, and use designated parking areas rather than stopping along the roadside.
- Visit a pumpkin patch. Consider Dyment’s, Springridge Farm or Hutchinson Farm. Their schedules differ: Springridge lists daily hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Hutchinson Farm lists Thanksgiving Monday hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dyment’s describes its pumpkin-patch activities as weekend offerings, so confirm Monday availability directly before setting out.
- Support a local restaurant or market. Some businesses will open for the holiday and others will close. Check directly, and consider making a reservation where available.
- Choose a ravine or conservation walk. Explore a local trail or conservation area, including Ball’s Falls, and check access, parking and trail conditions before you arrive.
A Thanksgiving Note from Team Smulders
Thanksgiving is a welcome moment to slow down and appreciate the people and places that make a community feel like home. We’re grateful to the clients and neighbours who have welcomed Team Smulders into their real estate journeys and neighbourhoods.
From Aldershot, Millcroft, Alton Village and Tyandaga to downtown Burlington and the waterfront, every part of the city has its own character. The same is true across Hamilton: from Ancaster and Dundas to Stoney Creek, Binbrook, Waterdown, the Mountain and the west end. Local parks, familiar main streets, seasonal traditions and the people who show up for one another all help make these places special.
For many people, putting down roots means more than choosing a house. It means finding a neighbourhood that fits daily routines, family traditions and the life they hope to build. We’re thankful to be part of those conversations.
If you’re thinking about a move before year-end, Thanksgiving can be a good time to start planning. Local market activity typically slows after mid-October and picks up again in February, so the fall window can close quickly. If you’re a serious seller, decide on preparation, staging, photography and pricing now rather than leaving those decisions until November. Start with a conversation or request a home evaluation.
Happy Thanksgiving from Team Smulders. Enjoy the long weekend, support local businesses where you can, and confirm holiday hours before heading out.