BURST
This year’s Thanksgiving falls on Monday, Oct. 13. In Metro Vancouver, there’s plenty of retail stores, restaurants and attractions that will remain open, while others will close to mark the statutory holiday.
So if you’re trying to run errands or looking for family-friendly things to do, here’s a roundup of what’s open and closed on Oct. 13:
Shopping
Metro Vancouver malls are open and welcoming shoppers, albeit with shortened hours.
These malls are open with holiday hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 13:
• Pacific Centre
• Richmond Centre
• Metropolis at Metrotown
• Park Royal
• Amazing Brentwood
For outlet shoppers, the McArthurGlen Designer outlet near Vancouver International Airport will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Tsawwassen Mills in Delta will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Grocery stores and pharmacies are generally open regular hours on Thanksgiving. B.C. Costco locations will be closed.
Attractions
If you’re looking for something to entertain kids and out-of-town visitors on Thanksgiving, many attractions are open and keeping to regular hours.
Science World will be open its usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with early 9:30 a.m. entry for members.
Likewise, the Vancouver Aquarium is open its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In Kits Point, both the Museum of Vancouver and the Vancouver Maritime Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At Canada Place, Flyover Canada will be taking guests for rides during its regular holiday hours (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Also in downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery will stick with its usual hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Granville Island will also host the Granville Island Turkey Trot, so swing by to cheer on the runners and then enjoy a snack at the market afterward.
Recreation
In Vancouver, most community centres are scheduled to close on Thanksgiving, but a handful plan to stay open, including:
• False Creek — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Hastings — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Kerrisdale — 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Mount Pleasant — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Roundhouse — 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Sunset — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Trout Lake — 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Check the city’s website for more information.
Most fitness centres will be open, including Hillcrest, Britannia, West End and Kitsilano (check here for a complete list). Some ice rinks and the city’s golf courses will be open but check ahead for specific hours.
For libraries, all except Carnegie Branch in the Downtown Eastside will be closed on Oct. 13.
For a look at recreational facilities in Surrey, including community centres and pools, check out Surrey’s holiday hours here .
Food and drink
Most restaurants and coffee shops, especially large chains, will stay open on Thanksgiving. Some may even offer special Thanksgiving menus!
TransLink
TransLink buses, SkyTrain (except the Canada Line) and SeaBus will be running on holiday schedules on Canada Day. The West Coast Express will not operate.
Government offices
Vancouver city hall will be closed on Thanksgiving, reopening on Tuesday, Oct. 14. At this time, many provincial service offices will be closed Monday but that’s due to the ongoing B.C. General Employees strike.
Canada Post remains on strike as well. Banks will also be closed.
All B.C. Liquor Stores also remain closed as of Oct. 9, due to the BCGEU strike. Private liquor stores may be open but supplies could be limited due to the current shutdown of distribution warehouses.