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What's Open and Closed in Montreal on Christmas and New Year's Day?

Holiday Schedules for Montreal City Services, Public Transit and More

By , About.com Guide

What's open and closed in Montreal on Christmas and New Year's Day? The city pretty much shuts itself down on those two days, but there are exceptions to the rule. The list below sums up what to expect but it isn't exhaustive enough to cover every mom & pop shop, restaurant and retail store and government branch in town. If in doubt, call the commerce, business or agency you wish to frequent directly for detailed scheduling information.

NOTE: 2012 AND 2013 DATES UPDATED BELOW

Municipal Government Offices
Most city of Montreal offices will be closed from December 22, 2012 to January 2, 2013, including Accès-Montréal offices and borough offices. Some exceptions apply. Call 311 or (514) 872-0311 to confirm if your neighborhood borough office is closed throughout this entire period.

311 Information Line
Residents will be able to inquire about municipal services throughout the holiday season, including on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, by calling 311 or (514) 872-0311.

Canada's Federal Government Offices
Federal offices, which include employment offices, are closed December 25, Boxing Day and January 1.

Quebec's Provincial Government Offices and Services
Quebec's provincial office schedules vary by department. Quebec's general information line (1-877 644-4545) always closes December 24, December 25, December 26, January 1 and January 2. Quebec residents are advised to call the office or department they require services from for precise scheduling details.

Garbage Disposal, Recycling, Bulky Items Removal
Details here.

Ecocentres
Details here.

Postal Service
Postal service deliveries, collections are postponed and Canada Post post offices are closed December 25, December 26 and January 1 every year, with the exception of independent postal offices operating in the private sector, which can remain open at their discretion.

Public Transit
Montreal's public transit system will be operational throughout the holiday season, with the vast majority of bus routes running on a regular schedule. However, December 25 and January 1st will run on Sunday schedules, and metro train intervals are set at 10 minutes. For details, consult the STM's holiday scheduling brief. As for commuter trains, the Agence métropolitaine de transport is offering free passage on the Montreal-Vaudreuil-Hudson and Montreal-Deux Montagnes train lines December 25 and January 1st while adhering to a Sunday schedule. No service is offered on other train lines for those holiday dates. Call (514) 287-TRAM (8726) or click here for train scheduling details (info line closed on December 25 and January 1).

Municipal Court Offices
The Montreal Municipal Court at 775 Gosford is closed from December 24, 2012 to January 2, 2013 inclusively. Municipal Court points of service close December 24 to December 26, 2012 but open December 27 and December 28, 2012. Call (514) 872-2964 for details.

Parking Meters
All Montreal parking meters follow their regular schedule throughout the holiday season. No exceptions.

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