During the holiday season, not all businesses and services in Quebec will be closing their doors for long stretches. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year's Eve, or January 1st, many shops and services will remain operational. Here’s what you can expect for openings and closings.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, several establishments will keep their doors open, such as convenience stores, select small grocers, public transport (albeit with modified schedules), pharmacies, hospitals, movie theaters, restaurants (with variable hours), places of worship, gas stations, and ski resorts. Meanwhile, big supermarkets, SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) branches, SQDC (Société québécoise du cannabis) branches, some CLSCs (local community service centers), shopping malls, libraries, and banks will be shuttered.
New Year's Eve, December 31, will see several businesses open as well. Shopping malls, convenience stores, grocery stores, places of worship, museums, cinemas, pharmacies, restaurants (with variable hours), public transportation, gas stations, SAQ and SQDC branches, Canada Post, hospitals, ski resorts, and some CLSCs will be accessible to the public. Certain libraries and bars, along with some CLSCs, will remain closed.
On New Year's Day, January 1, 2024, convenience stores and small grocers will be open, with public transport again operating on adjusted schedules. Pharmacies, restaurants, cinemas, places of worship, some waste and recycling collection services (check with your municipality), gas stations, hospitals, and ski resorts will also welcome customers. While many establishments will be closed, including rinks and large grocery stores, it’s good to note variations exist, such as some grocery stores and big box retailers remaining shut on this day.
December 24, the day before Christmas, is particularly noteworthy. Most stores, boutiques, and shopping centers will close by 5 PM, including branches of the SAQ and SQDC. The majority of them will not reopen until December 26. Banks will have reduced hours as well on the 24th, and most will remain closed on the 25th and 26th, with only select services available at convenience stores and pharmacies during this time.
People often face the annual inquiry: Which businesses and services stay open during the holidays? Shopping malls, large supermarkets, and commercial establishments will be closed on both Christmas and New Year's Day. Notably, hours may vary on December 24. While some stores will shut early, others may operate later.
Public transport will follow different schedules through the holidays. For example, the Sherbrooke transport network will operate on holiday summer schedules. Adapted transport will be accessible from 8 AM to 1 AM on December 24, and on Christmas and New Year's Day, service will run from 9 AM to 11 PM.
Almost all grocery stores will remain closed on December 25 and January 1. It's wise to check opening hours before heading out, especially during this period when many popular shopping and service locations may have altered schedules.
For those interested, the SAQ and SQDC will be shuttered on Christmas and New Year's Day, with only Express branches available after the holiday. Regular opening hours will resume on January 2, which may affect those planning end-of-year celebrations.
Even for recreational activities, parks, restaurants, and public markets may be accepting visitors, but hours will vary. It's prudent to check their schedules to avoid any surprises.
Notably, museums and cultural institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts will be closed on key holiday dates; they will not welcome guests from December 24 to 26, and again on December 31 as well as on January 1 and 2. Adjusted hours for waste collection have also been announced, with the city of Sherbrooke indicating collections on the usual Wednesdays (December 25 and January 1) pushed to Fridays instead. Ecocentres will be inaccessible during certain holiday periods from December 24 to 26 and from December 31 to January 2.
Libraries across Sherbrooke and Magog will also close during holiday festivities.
During the entirety of the holiday season, hospitals will remain open, providing necessary services. Pharmacies and certain CLSCs will also operate, though their specific hours may differ, requiring visitors to verify these times directly to avoid any inconvenience.
With all the celebrations and festivities taking the forefront, it is worthwhile to plan your shopping and errands accordingly. Many businesses will be adapting their hours during the holidays, emphasizing the need to stay informed about what will be open—or closed—during this joyful yet busy season.
For convenience store snack runs, small grocery essentials, and last-minute items, taking note of fluctuated hours will be pivotal to ensuring you don’t miss out on the essentials during this holiday season.
