Here's a non-exhaustive rundown of how your regular routine might change during the long Easter weekend.
• Most retail stores, malls, and supermarkets should be open Friday and Monday, but most retailers usually take Easter Sunday off. Some smaller retail stores may remain open.
• Most pharmacies are expected to remain open at their regular times throughout the long weekend.
• Grocery stores larger than 375 square metres will not open on Easter Sunday — in fact, they legally can't. The smaller ones can open at will, though they may operate on a different schedule than their usual one.
• SAQ outlets will operate normally on Friday, Saturday and Monday. On Easter Sunday, only the Express and most Classique stores will be open — provided they're not located in a shopping mall that's closed.
• Public markets, including the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Bonsecours markets, will operate normally all weekend.
• Banks will be closed on Friday, but should reopen on Monday.
• Every federal and provincial office and service counter will be closed Friday and Monday, as will just about every municipal office — including borough offices, Accès Montreal offices and other points of service. The municipal courthouse will also be closed throughout the long weekend.
• The city's Ecocentres will be open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closed on Monday.
• The city of Montreal's 3-1-1 information line will be open for residents to check up on what will and won't be running normally in your borough.
• Garbage and recycling pickup should be on in most boroughs and towns, but you may want to call 3-1-1 to double-check.
• There will be no mail pickup or delivery on Friday or Monday. Post offices are closed both Friday and Monday, though postal counters at drug stores and other private businesses will be open according to the host business' hours of service.
• Generally, nothing will change for restaurants and movie theatres — they'll be open.
• Biodome, Botanical Garden and Insectarium and the Planetarium and the Pointe-a-Calliere museum are expected to operate normally all weekend.
• The Montreal Science Centre is open all weekend.
• The Casino is open all weekend. It never closes.
• The ice rink the the Atrium le 1000 is open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
• Arena, library, cultural facility, sports centre and swimming pool openings will vary, depending on the borough.
• Parking meters will operate at all times, and all parking restrictions in the city of Montreal will remain in effect.
• Buses and metros will run on holiday schedules on Friday and Monday, while commuter trains will switch to a Sunday schedule on Good Friday. They will run on their normal schedules on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.