Holiday Shopping

Holiday Closure Requirements for Retail Businesses in Toronto

The Holiday Shopping Bylaw outlines when retail businesses in Toronto must close during the year for holidays.

• New Year’s Day
• Family Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Exemptions

The following are some examples of retailers who can remain open on holidays:

• Small retail establishments less than 2,400 square feet selling only specific types of goods, e.g. foodstuffs
• Pharmacies less than 7,500 square feet
• Art galleries, nurseries, gas stations, liquor licensed businesses
• Retail businesses for education, recreation and amusement
• Business in relation to prepared meals, living accommodations, laundromats, vehicle or boat rentals

Businesses located in the following tourist areas are also exempt from the bylaw:

• Queens Quay West (207 Queen’s Quay W.)
• Toronto Eaton Centre and the Hudson’s Bay Company (Yonge & Queen location)
• Downtown Yonge Street Business Improvement Area
• Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area
• Distillery Historic District

These Tourist Area Exemptions are a legacy from the previous version of the legislation. There is no formal process to add new Tourist Area Exemptions.

City Council’s Directive in 2023

In 2023, City Council directed staff to assess whether to retain as is or change the list of nine specified holidays in Chapter 510. Additionally, City Council directed staff to develop criteria and a process for the designation of Tourist Area Exemptions. Such criteria and process, if established, would provide a pathway for retail businesses to apply to open on holidays.

The City is now consulting the public and relevant stakeholders on their views. The consultations include an online survey, a virtual town hall, as well as key informant interviews and focus groups. The feedback will contribute to City staff’s recommendations to City Council.