BURST
Canada’s birthday lands on a Wednesday this year, making for a mid-week break rather than a long weekend for those who have the statutory holiday off. This means a lot of people will celebrate Canada Day locally rather than heading off camping or on a road trip.
If the plan is to chill in the city, there are lots of options available on Wednesday, July 1. Here’s a roundup of what’s open and closed in Metro Vancouver on Canada Day 2026:
Retail
Malls and big box stores are usually open and do brisk business on Canada Day. Most observe either regular or Sunday hours on Wednesday.
Cadillac Fairview’s flagship Pacific Centre in Vancouver will be open for extended summer hours on July 1, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while CF Richmond Centre is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby and Park Royal in West Vancouver are also open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
McArthurGlen outlet mall near YVR is operating on regular hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The big grocery chains, such as Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore, Save-On-Foods and Safeway are mostly open, though Costco warehouse outlets are closed on Wednesday.
Attractions
Most attractions around Vancouver and region are open and operating as normal, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium.
City-operated attractions in Vancouver like the VanDusen Botanical Garden (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and the Bloedel Conservatory (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) are keeping regular hours, as are the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver (8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
For more ideas about things to do, see our event listings for the May long weekend.
Recreation
Only half a dozen Vancouver community centres are open on Canada Day Wednesday. Among those that will be operating are False Creek, Hastings, Kerrisdale, Mount Pleasant and Roundhouse. Fitness centres are a similar mix, with many offering gym time but some closed for the day.
People looking for some exercise have lots of other city-run options. Some city pools are open on Monday, including Britannia, Hillcrest, Kitsilano, Lord Byng, Maple Grove, New Brighton, Renfrew, Second Beach and Templeton Park. Most city ice rinks and municipal golf courses — Fraserview, Langara and McCleery — are up and running.
For information on hours at any of the above, go to vancouver.ca .
Vancouver libraries are all closed on Canada Day except the Carnegie branch on Main Street, which does not close for holidays.
Buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus will run on a holiday schedule Wednesday with single-zone fares across the system. The West Coast Express commuter train is not operating. TransLink customer service centres and lost property offices are closed.
Government
Federal government offices like Passport Canada and Service Canada will be closed on Wednesday, reopening Thursday. Canada Post is also shuttered on Wednesday, with no collection or mail delivery. Post offices operated by third parties may, however, choose to open.
ICBC locations are closed on Wednesday.
Vancouver City Hall is closed Wednesday and will reopen on Thursday.
Most government B.C. Liquor locations will be open on Sunday hours on Canada Day. Check bcliquorstores.com for hours at the location near you.
Banks will be closed on Wednesday.