Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Day is Thursday, Dec. 25)
Christmas Day in Canada is a statutory holiday, which means most retailers go dark—malls lock up, big-box stores turn off the lights, and even many grocery aisles are quiet.
But last-minute needs don’t take the day off. Whether it’s cold medicine, diapers, a phone charger, or a missing ingredient for dinner, Canadians still look for a handful of reliable places that tend to stay open on December 25.
Based on current local holiday-hours coverage published during the Dec. 24–25 news cycle—plus official retailer schedules—here’s where you can still shop on Christmas Day across Canada, and what’s most likely to be closed.
The safest bets: shops that are usually open on Christmas Day
Across the country, Christmas Day “open” lists are shorter than you think, but they’re surprisingly consistent from city to city. The most dependable categories are:
Convenience stores and gas stations
If you only remember one option, make it this: convenience stores are your best Christmas Day lifeline—especially in urban areas and along highways.
- 7‑Eleven Canada says it stays open 24/7, including Christmas Day, with in-store essentials and delivery options depending on location.
- In Québec, dépanneurs (corner stores) are widely expected to be open, often with reduced hours.
Tip: Even if a chain is “open,” individual franchise locations may shorten hours. Always check your nearest store listing before heading out.
Pharmacies and drugstores (select locations)
Pharmacies are the other major exception to the Christmas shutdown, but the key phrase is “select locations.”
- In the Toronto area, local holiday-hour roundups consistently flag Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall as operating at select locations on Dec. 25.
- In Montréal, guides point to pharmacies (often reduced hours), including chains such as Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu.
Because “open” varies store-by-store, store locators matter. For example, some Rexall locations list holiday hours on Dec. 25 (e.g., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)—while others are fully closed. rexall.ca
Movie theatres and major attractions (with gift shops)
Not “shops” in the classic sense, but if you’re looking for snacks, small souvenirs, or a warm place to go, entertainment venues often operate on Christmas Day.
- In Metro Vancouver, lists include Cineplex theatres and major attractions such as the Vancouver Aquarium(limited hours).
- In Toronto, tourism heavy-hitters like the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are commonly listed as open on Dec. 25.
What’s usually closed across Canada on December 25
While details vary by province and city, the pattern is clear: Christmas Day is one of the most restricted shopping days of the year.
Expect closures in these categories:
Major malls and big-box retail
Local guides repeatedly list major malls as closed on Christmas Day—including top centres in Toronto and Metro Vancouver.
Large grocery chains
Most major grocery banners close on Dec. 25, with the occasional exception of smaller, independent, or specialty operators.
Provincial liquor stores
- Ontario’s LCBO is generally listed as closed on Dec. 25 in local roundups.
- Québec’s SAQ is also listed as closed.
Warehouse clubs
Costco Business Centres list Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025) as closed.
City-by-city highlights: where people can actually shop on Christmas Day
If you’re searching “shops open Christmas Day near me,” the answer changes fast depending on the city. Here’s what current Dec. 24–25 coverage is pointing to in major regions.
Toronto and the GTA: the biggest “open” list—by Toronto standards
Toronto’s Christmas Day shopping is limited, but not zero, especially if you’re willing to head to the right places.
Shopping (not many options):
- Pacific Mall is frequently listed as open on Dec. 25 (with posted holiday hours in local guides).
Food and grocery essentials:
- Rabba Fine Foods is repeatedly listed as open on Dec. 25.
- Some Toronto guides also list specialty food options such as Summerhill Market (limited hours) and Eataly locations on Christmas Day.
What’s closed (expect a long list):
Large malls (like the Eaton Centre and others) and major grocers are commonly listed as closed on Christmas Day in Toronto-specific roundups.
Metro Vancouver: fewer stores, more “things to do”
Metro Vancouver’s Christmas Day coverage reads less like a shopping guide and more like a “what’s open to visit” list—because many major retailers are specifically listed as closed.
Major closures that matter to shoppers:
Metro Vancouver guides list Walmart, Save-On-Foods, BC Liquor Stores, and major shopping centres (including CF Pacific Centre and Metropolis at Metrotown) as closed on Christmas Day.
Open options (more leisure than retail):
Lists include the Robson Square Ice Rink, the Vancouver Aquarium (limited hours), Cineplex theatres, and several local mountains with activity-dependent schedules.
If you need essentials: this is where convenience stores matter most. 7‑Eleven’s official statement that it operates 24/7—including Christmas Day—becomes a key fallback in cities where big retailers are explicitly listed as closed.
Montréal: pharmacies and dépanneurs are the practical answer
In Montréal, the most useful Christmas Day guidance is straightforward: assume major retail is closed, rely on dépanneurs and pharmacies.
- Guides say almost all major grocery chains are closed on Dec. 25, but many dépanneurs remain open for essentials.
- Montréal coverage also highlights pharmacies operating with reduced hours (often framed as mid-day windows).
- SAQ closures on Christmas Day are also flagged.
Southwestern Ontario and Waterloo Region: expect closures and plan for essentials
Some of the most detailed local reporting focuses on what’s closed—which is still useful, because it prevents wasted trips.
- In Waterloo Region, local coverage notes LCBO and Beer Store locations are closed on Christmas Day.
- Windsor-Essex holiday schedules similarly show many public-facing services closed on Dec. 25, reinforcing the “plan ahead” message. am800cklw.com+1
For actual shopping in these regions, your best bet is still the national pattern: convenience stores, gas stations, and select pharmacies.
Prairies snapshot: Regina and Saskatoon emphasize shutdown conditions
Prairie city guides published Dec. 24 focus heavily on service closures and reduced schedules, which signals what shoppers feel on the ground: Christmas Day is a low-availability day.
- Regina and Saskatoon updates outline widespread closures for civic facilities and recreation centres on Dec. 25.
In practical terms, that usually pushes people back toward the two categories that still operate: convenience stores and pharmacies.
The fastest way to confirm a shop is open before you leave
Christmas Day hours can change—even within the same chain—so it’s worth doing a 30-second check to avoid a frustrating drive.
Use store locators (especially for pharmacies)
Pharmacy chains often publish holiday hours per location.
- Example: A Rexall store listing can show holiday hours on Dec. 25 (some locations list limited hours, others list “Closed”). rexall.ca
Don’t assume “Shoppers is open”
People often think every Shoppers Drug Mart is open on holidays. In reality, it varies by location—some store pages show Christmas Day closures, while local guides still point to select locations open.
Check Google Business Profile, then call if it’s critical
On Dec. 25, Google’s “holiday hours” updates can be wrong or incomplete. If you must get a prescription or a specific item, call first.
Frequently searched questions about Christmas Day shopping in Canada
Are grocery stores open on Christmas Day in Canada?
Most major chains are closed, and local guides in multiple cities repeat that message. Some exceptions exist—particularly smaller operators and select specialty stores (for example, Toronto guides repeatedly list Rabba Fine Foods as open).
Is Costco open on Christmas Day?
Costco Business Centres list Dec. 25, 2025 as closed.
Are malls open on Christmas Day?
In most cities, no—major malls are usually closed. Toronto-area guides highlight Pacific Mall as a notable exception that is often listed as open on Dec. 25.
Are liquor stores open on Dec. 25?
Provincial liquor stores are commonly listed as closed—LCBO in Ontario and SAQ in Québec in particular.
What’s the single most reliable “open” option if you forgot something?
Convenience stores—especially those operating late or 24/7. 7‑Eleven Canada explicitly states it’s open 24/7, including Christmas Day, making it one of the most dependable nationwide-style options in 2025 holiday coverage.
Bottom line for Christmas Day 2025 shopping in Canada
If you’re heading out on Thursday, Dec. 25, expect a retail “quiet day” almost everywhere in Canada. Time and Date
But you’re not out of luck:
- For essentials: try convenience stores first, then select pharmacies.
- For actual shopping: look for limited exceptions (like Pacific Mall in the GTA) rather than assuming big malls are open.
- For last-minute plans: movie theatres and major attractions are often open even when retail isn’t.
And the simplest rule that beats every list: verify the specific location before you go, because Christmas Day hours can vary block by block.
