As spring finally arrives in Metro Vancouver, residents are gearing up for the Easter long weekend, which begins on Good Friday, April 18, and extends to Easter Monday, April 21. This year, Good Friday is recognized as a statutory holiday in British Columbia, prompting many businesses and services to close their doors for the day. However, Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday, leading to a mixed bag of closures and openings across the region.
Most businesses in Metro Vancouver will shut down for Good Friday, with many reopening by Monday. Shopping centers, grocery stores, and various attractions will have adjusted hours, allowing residents to plan their weekend activities accordingly.
For those looking to shop, most retail businesses will remain open throughout the weekend, albeit with shorter hours on Good Friday. Major shopping centers such as Pacific Centre and Richmond Centre will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Good Friday, while Metrotown in Burnaby and Park Royal in West Vancouver will follow suit. The McArthurGlen outlet near YVR will maintain regular hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, all Costco warehouses in Metro Vancouver will be closed on Easter Sunday but will operate normally on Friday, Saturday, and Monday.
Families with young children will find that many attractions remain open during the long weekend. The Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, and the Vancouver Aquarium will operate as usual, providing entertainment options for those looking to spend time out and about. City-operated attractions like the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Bloedel Conservatory will also keep regular hours, offering a chance to enjoy the blooming spring flora.
While schools and daycares will be closed on both Good Friday and Easter Monday, many community centers in Vancouver will remain open throughout the weekend. Notable centers such as False Creek, Hastings, Kerrisdale, Mount Pleasant, Roundhouse, Sunset, and Trout Lake will be available for residents. However, West Point Grey Community Centre will be closed for the duration of the holiday weekend.
For those looking to engage in recreational activities, most pools will be open, with the exception of Kensington pool, which will be closed on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. Ice rinks and the city's three golf courses—Fraserview, Langara, and McCleery—will also be available. Unfortunately, the Stanley Park Easter Train will not be operating this year due to ongoing issues with emission fumes. Instead, families can visit Bear Creek Park in Surrey, which will host an Easter ride, egg hunt, and petting zoo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the weekend.
In terms of public transport, TransLink will run on a Sunday/holiday service on Good Friday, meaning riders will only need a single-zone fare to travel across the system. The West Coast Express will not be operating on this day. However, on Easter Monday, bus and SeaBus services will return to regular operations, with SkyTrain running on a standard schedule but with reduced peak service. TransLink customer service centers and lost property offices will be closed on both Good Friday and Easter Monday, reopening on Tuesday, April 22.
Government services will also see closures over the holiday weekend. Federal government offices, including Passport Canada and Service Canada, will be closed on both Good Friday and Easter Monday, resuming normal operations on Tuesday. Canada Post will not deliver mail on these days, although some third-party post offices may remain open depending on the operators. In British Columbia, ICBC locations will also be closed on both Friday and Monday. Vancouver City Hall will follow suit, closing its doors for the holiday.
Meanwhile, most government-run liquor stores will be open, albeit with shortened hours. Banks will be closed on Good Friday but will reopen on Easter Monday, allowing customers to conduct their banking activities after the holiday.
In Windsor-Essex, residents are also preparing for the Easter long weekend, which includes similar closures and openings. All federal, provincial, and municipal offices will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with Canada Post also halting deliveries on these days. The local public school boards will observe the holiday, closing schools on both days.
For shopping, Devonshire Mall and Tecumseh Mall will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday but will operate normal hours on Saturday and Monday. Windsor Crossing in LaSalle will be open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, providing shopping options for those in the area. Libraries and community centers in Windsor will also close for the holiday, with some facilities like the WFCU Centre remaining open for ice rentals and free public skating.
Transit Windsor will operate on a Sunday schedule on Good Friday, with normal services returning for the remainder of the weekend. The city’s residential garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day in certain zones due to the holiday.
In Toronto, the Easter long weekend will see a mix of closures and openings as well. Major retail chains like Sobeys, Walmart, and Atlantic Superstore will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but will reopen on Easter Monday. Various shopping malls will also observe similar schedules, with some closed on Easter Sunday.
Public services will similarly be affected, with government offices, banks, and libraries closing on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. However, some attractions, including the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, will remain open for visitors looking to enjoy the holiday.
Overall, as the Easter long weekend approaches, residents across Metro Vancouver, Windsor-Essex, and Toronto can expect a blend of closures and openings. With a bit of planning, families can enjoy the holiday while making the most of the available attractions and services.
