Some things will change this long Easter weekend, but some won't. Here's a non-exhaustive list of how your regular routine might change.
SHOPPING
- Most retail stores, malls, and supermarkets should be open Friday and Monday, but most retailers usually take Easter Sunday off. Some smaller retail stores — including dépanneurs — may remain open.
- Pharmacies don't have to close by law, so it's a safe bet that most won't, although they may amend their hours.
- 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 again, their hours may be different from their usual ones.
- 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. (Click here for details.)
- Public markets, including the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Bonsecours markets, will be open all weekend.
- Banks generally close on Good Friday, but should reopen on Easter Monday.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
- 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.
THINGS TO DO
- This long weekend will be your last chance to visit the Biodome before it shuts down for renovations. It won't reopen until the summer of 2019.
- The Botanical Garden, Insectarium, Planetarium and the Pointe-a-Calliere museum are also expected to operate normally all weekend.
- Most restaurants should be operating as normal, though as usual, some may change their hours. A few of them, in fact, will be hopping for Easter brunch.
- Movie theatres are always open.
- The Montreal Science Centre and the IMAX Theatre are open all weekend.
- The Casino is open all weekend. It never closes.
- The ice rink the the Atrium le 1000 usually opens on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. It doesn't appear this year will be an exception.
- Arena, library, cultural facility, sports centre and swimming pool openings will vary, depending on your town borough. Again, call 3-1-1 for more info.
GETTING AROUND
- 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.