BURST
Truth and Reconciliation Day is on Tuesday, Sept. 30. The relatively new statutory holiday is meant to honour and remember those in the Indigenous community who have been affected by residential schools, including the children who never came home and the families they left behind.
READ MORE: Truth and Reconciliation Day 2025: Events happening around Metro Vancouver
When is Truth and Reconciliation Day?
Sept. 30 has been designated as Truth and Reconciliation Day, and falls on a Tuesday in 2025. The date is set regardless of what day of the week it falls on.
If the stat falls on a weekend, workplaces that recognize it may schedule the following weekday off in lieu. Check with your workplace to find out its policy.
Is Truth and Reconciliation Day a federal or provincial holiday?
Now it’s both. The holiday was first recognized federally in 2021 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In March 2023, the province of B.C. also passed an act making it an official statutory holiday.
It coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots Indigenous-led movement started by Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) author and activist Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band).
Here’s what’s open and closed on Truth and Reconciliation Day 2025 around Metro Vancouver:
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 Tuesday, Sept. 30:
• Pacific Centre, Vancouver
• Guildford Town Centre, Surrey
• Richmond Centre
• Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
• Park Royal, West Vancouver
The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby is open its regular hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For outlet shoppers, the McArthurGlen mall near YVR in Richmond is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Tsawwassen Mills in Delta is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Costco locations will be open their usual weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ikea’s stores will also be open but with slightly shorter hours than a typical Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Grocery stores and pharmacies are generally open on Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Attractions
If you’re looking to get out of the house with the kids, many local attractions remain open.
Science World is open its usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with early 9:30 a.m. entry for members.
The Vancouver Aquarium is open its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The aquarium once again has special programs planned for Truth and Reconciliation Day, including storytelling, drumming and cultural teachings from local Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers, including a firsthand account from a residential school survivor.
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 5 p.m. with a special Pink Floyd presentation in the dome in the evening, though tickets might be scarce.
Flyover at Canada Place is taking guests for rides during regular hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, the Vancouver Art Gallery closed, as is the case every Tuesday.
Granville Island and public market are open.
Recreation
In Vancouver, many community centres are scheduled to close on Truth and Reconciliation Day, but some plan to stay open Tuesday, including:
• Coal Harbour: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• 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.
• Killarney: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Mount Pleasant: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Roundhouse: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Strathcona: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunset: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Trout Lake: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• West End: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More than half of the city’s fitness centres are open, including Hillcrest, Britannia and Kitsilano. for a complete list. Ice rinks and the city’s golf courses — Fraserview, Langara and McCleery — are open.
Some pools are closed Tuesday but Britannia, Hillcrest (except the outdoor pool), Killarney, Lord Byng, Renfrew, Templeton Park and Vancouver Aquatic Centre are open.
Check vancouver.ca for complete holiday hours at city-run facilities.
All public libraries in the Vancouver Public Library system are closed Sept. 30 except Carnegie Branch in the Downtown Eastside.
Many recreational facilities in Surrey, including community centres and pools, are open. See the list of closures and holiday hours at surrey.ca .
Food and drink
Most restaurants and coffee shops, especially large chains, will stay open on Truth and Reconciliation Day. Some eateries and smaller cafés might close on the holiday Monday, so double check before heading out.
TransLink
TransLink buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus will be running on holiday schedules. The West Coast Express will not operate. The TransLink customer service centre, access transit customer care office and lost property office will also be closed. Holiday (one-zone) fares will be in effect.
Government offices
Vancouver city hall will be closed Tuesday, reopening on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The same is true for government offices, including Service Canada and passport offices and ICBC service centres.
Canada Post is not collecting or delivering mail on Sept. 30. Most banks and credit unions will also be closed.
Most B.C. Liquor Stores are open on shortened hours (usually 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), though that also depends on BCGEU pickets that have closed many locations since last week. Check the hours for your neighbourhood store at bcliquorstores.com .