What's Open and Closed for New Year's Eve and Day in Ottawa - 95.7 ELMNT FM

With 2021 right around the corner, and Ontario’s lockdown still in effect, here is our guide to what’s open and closed for New Years.

Grocery Stores and Malls

All Ontario malls closed in-person shopping until Jan 23. However, curbside pick-up and pick-up inside the malls (at designated locations by appointment) are still allowed. People may also enter malls to access businesses and services that are allowed to stay open under the lockdown. All malls will be closed on Jan 1.
Most grocery stores will be open on New Year’s Eve but will close earlier than usual.
Only a few grocery stores will be open on New Year’s Day – including the Loblaws on Rideau Street and Whole Foods at Lansdowne Park.

LCBO will be closed on New Year’s Day and all The Beer Store locations will close by 6 PM on New Year’s Eve and will also be closed on New Year’s Day.

The only COVID testing centers open on New Year’s Day include Bells Corners and Orleans.
The Brewer Arena, Sandy Hill McNabb Community Centre and NAC testing centers will close early on Thursday afternoon and will be closed on New Year’s Day. However, the Brewer Park and NAC testing centres will open as usual on the weekend.
The clinic at the Somerset West Community Health Centre will be closed until Monday.

OC Transpo is running a reduced weekday schedule that will run until New Year’s Day. Para Transport will be operating on a holiday by-booking service on New Year’s Day.
Unlike other years, Para and OC Transpo will not be offering free rides this New Year’s Eve due to the lockdown restrictions.

If New Year’s Day is your regular garbage pickup day, it will be moved to the next day.
There will be free parking at the Ottawa City Hall garage and the city’s Clarence Street garages from Thursday at 4 PM until Saturday at 7 AM.
There will also be no Canada Post mail service on Jan 1 or Jan 2.

Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed on New Year’s Day. Due to the lockdown, it’s still offering curbside returns and holds pick up until 3 PM on Thursday.
Most recreational facilities will be closed as a result of the provincial lockdown which started on Boxing Day.
Outdoor skating will be open.
City pools, arenas and fitness centers will be operating on a modified schedule over the holidays. Check out ottawa.ca for facility-specific info for more details.