What’s open and closed in Montreal over the holidays?

MONTREAL — It’s business as usual for some things in the city (like parking), and a complete shut down for others.

Want to know what’s what? Check out our rundown of what services and businesses will be open or closed over the holidays.

Post offices

All post offices will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26, and mail will not be collected or delivered. Did you wait too long to send a letter to Santa and you’re worried there won’t be a response in time for Christmas? Although Santa has run out of time for mailing letters (the North Pole is far way — and he’s pretty busy on Christmas Eve), if you need a letter from Mr. Claus, you can print one here!

Banks

Banks will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26.

Government and municipal services

Most municipal offices, including all borough and Accès Montréal offices, will be closed from Dec. 24 until Jan. 2.

Federal government offices in Quebec will be closed Dec. 25 and 26.

Quebec government offices will be closed Dec 25 and 26.

Recycling and garbage collection may change over the holidays. Check the City of Montreal site here to confirm the holiday schedule in your borough.

Montreal’s ecocentres will be closed from Dec. 24 through to Jan. 5.

Montreal Municipal Court (775 Gosford St.) will be closed from Dec. 24 through to Jan. 2. The service counter at 303 Notre-Dame St. E., as well as municipal court points of service, will be closed Dec. 24 to Dec. 26.

All of Montreal’s arenas, swimming pools, sports centres, libraries and cultural venues will operate according to holiday schedules set by each borough. For information, visit the City of Montreal website, or call 311 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Shopping

Most stores, malls and shops will be closed on Christmas Day.

If you’re after some boozy beverages, SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) outlets will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 (SAQ Express stores are open until 7 p.m.) and will reopen at 1 p.m. on Dec. 26. To find out full details on the holiday opening hours, click here.

Most grocery stores will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will reopen at 1 p.m. on Dec. 26.

Most shopping malls will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, and reopen at 1 p.m. on Dec. 26, kicking off Boxing Day sales.

Christmas tree pick up

Christmas tree collection in Montreal takes place in January and typically follows the recycling schedule.

Don’t forget, all ornaments must be removed from the Christmas trees, which should be placed on the curb.

For more information and to access a schedule for dates of Christmas tree pickups, check on the City of Montreal site here.

Public transport

STM bus and metro services will be operating on a modified holiday schedule, which you can check out here or by calling 514-288-6287.

Did you know that the STM also has a family outings program that allows up to five children aged 6 to 11 to ride for free during the holidays when accompanied by an adult with a valid transit fare?

Free rides for kids runs from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, on all legal holidays, and from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4, 2015. Note that this offer doesn’t not apply to the 747 bus to and from the airport.

Commuters can also ride for free on Dec. 24 in Laval. Buses will run on a modified Sunday schedule on Dec. 25, and a Saturday schedule on Dec 26. You can find more information here.

There are more free rides with the Agence métropolitaine de Transport on Dec. 25. Commuter train lines will operate on a reduced schedule over the holidays. Check out the AMT’s website for more information or call 1 888-702-8726.

Parking

Drivers beware: parking meters will remain in operation as normal throughout the holidays. Take note of parking restrictions or pay the price!