Family Day 2026 falls on Monday, February 17, and is observed in Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Clarington, and Durham Region. Although it is not a national statutory holiday, Ontario celebrates Family Day with a range of family-oriented events and activities.
Family Day events include Winterfest in Ajax, free fun all day at Clarington’s Courtice Community Complex, Diane Hamre Recreation Centre, and South Courtice Arena, featuring swimming, outdoor skating, fitness classes, drop-in basketball and racquet sports, and youth shinny. The Oshawa Museum and the Canadian Automotive Museum will also host Family Day events. In Whitby, free activities like face painting, skating, and swimming will be available at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre and Brooklin Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For a full list of events, check your town’s social media for the details.
What’s Open:
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Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations
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Most restaurants (call ahead to confirm)
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Canada Post (mail services not affected)
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Federal government offices (online services available, by-appointment-only offices)
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Most recreation centres
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Some cannabis stores (call ahead to confirm)
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Some breweries (call ahead to confirm)
What’s Closed:
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Major malls like Pickering Town Centre and Oshawa Centre (restaurants with outdoor entrances may still be open)
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Most major grocery stores
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LCBO
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Beer Store
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Banks
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City Halls and provincial government offices
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Most libraries
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Transit (Durham Region Transit and GO Transit will operate on a weekend/Saturday schedule)
Garbage Collection:
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No garbage pick-up (all waste collection will be one day later)
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Waste depots will be closed
