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
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Note: As of April 2026, the Government of Ontario has passed legislative changes to the Retail Business Holidays Act and City of Toronto Act. Retail businesses are now allowed to voluntarily remain open on Family Day and Victoria 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.
