Victoria Day long weekend has seemingly snuck up on Toronto this year, given the weather hasn’t been very warm so far in May.
The good news is it’s the first long weekend of the fun outdoor season, heralding the start — hopefully — of summer.
Here’s everything you need to know about it:
WHAT’S OPEN ON MONDAY, MAY 18
Many LCBO stores
The Beer Store
Toronto Eaton Centre from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Grocery stores (per new Ontario Government legislation)
Rabba Fine Foods
Wine Rack
The Wine Shop
The Distillery Historic District
Centreville at Centre Island
Royal Ontario Museum
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
CN Tower
Casa Loma
Toronto Zoo
Little Canada
Art Gallery of Ontario
Hockey Hall of Fame
Movie theatres
Universities
WHAT’S CLOSED
Municipal, provincial and federal government offices including Canada Post
Schools
Some LCBO stores
Banks
Toronto Public Library branches
Fort York National Historic Site
No garbage collection
Recreation programs at City of Toronto parks and recreation facilities
WHERE TO SEE FIREWORKS
The City of Toronto is back with its annual Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park (1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E.) on Monday at 10 p.m.
Head to the park’s beach for the 14-minute show or catch the display from the boardwalk between Emdaabiimok Ave. to Victoria Park Ave.
Other good viewing spots include Woodbine Beach, Woodbine Park, and Tommy Thompson Park.
Elsewhere in Ontario that typically have fireworks are Blue Mountain Village and Friday Harbour Resort and areas include Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Barrie, Muskoka.
GET OUT OF TOWN
Destinations: Popular Ontario destinations for Victoria Day long weekends include The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Muskoka, Prince Edward County, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Haliburton Highlands and Kawarthas.
Parks: Some favourite Ontario parks and outdoor destinations include Algonquin Provincial Park, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, Sandbanks Provincial Park and Arrowhead Provincial Park.
If you haven’t already, you need to reserve a camping and day-use permit as Victoria Day long weekend is extremely popular.
Patio season: Try eating outdoors in such Ontario destinations as Collingwood, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Elora, Stratford, and Port Dover at local breweries, wineries or cideries.
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