What’s open, closed in Hamilton on Boxing Day

Monday, Dec. 26 marks Boxing Day in Hamilton, a National holiday celebrated in some Commonwealth countries, mainly Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

There is more than one theory as to the origin of Boxing Day.

It is thought by some that servant work was required in order for Christmas Day celebrations to take place in the past and employers allowed the following day for their workers to have a holiday of their own.

The staff would be given boxes of gifts, a holiday-bonus tradition that has continued to this day, although it is now often done before rather than after the holiday.

A lesser supported belief is that the name derived from the opening of alms boxes that had been placed in churches for the collection of donations to aid the poor.

More modernly, Boxing Day has been associated with shopping and sporting events.

Some City services are facing closures as a result of the holiday.

Residents will see that some closures are being extended due to Christmas Day landing on a weekend. When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it may be applied to the next business day.

Some businesses are observing this for New Years Day as well, taking the holiday on Jan. 2 considering Jan. 1 is a Sunday.

Here are all the locations and services closed on Boxing Day in Hamilton:

Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse

Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse is closed on Dec. 26, 27, and is also closed in the new year on Jan. 1 and 2.

Hamilton Civic Museums

Dundurn National Historic Site, the Hamilton Military Museum and the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 reopening on Dec. 27.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum closed at noon on Dec. 24 and will remained closed until Jan. 3.

Malls

CF Lime Ridge Mall is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 26. Jackson Square shopping centre is open as well.

The City Centre shopping centre is closing its doors for good on Dec. 26.

Art Gallery of Hamilton

The art gallery is closed on Dec. 26 as well as on Jan. 1.

Hamilton Public Library

Public libraries in Hamilton are closed on Dec. 26 and 27, as well as Jan. 1 and 2.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market

The Hamilton Farmers’ Market is closed on Dec. 26.

HSR Holiday Service

Buses will operate a Saturday level of service on Dec. 26 for routes 1, 2, 21, 25, 26, 41 and 43. All other buses will operate a Sunday schedule.

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection

There is no change to green bin, recycling and garbage collection during the weeks of Dec. 26 to 30 and Jan. 2 to 6. Waste will be picked up on regular collection days.

Accessible Transportation Services and DARTS

The City’s Accessible Transportation Services are closed on Dec. 26 and 27, as well as on Jan. 2. DARTS will be operating in their designated holiday service hours.

Animal Services

Animal Services is closed on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Housing Services

The Housing Service office at 350 King St. East will be closed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.

Public Health Services

Hamilton Public Health Services will be operating mobile vaccine clinics on Dec. 28 and 29. All other Public Health Services are closed on Dec. 26 and 27 and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2. mobile

The City’s COVID-19 vaccine booking line (905-974-9848, option 7) is closed on Dec. 26 and 27, will be available on Dec. 28, 29 and 30 and closed again from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. The booking line will reopen on Jan. 3.

Canada Post

Canada Post is closed on Dec. 26, 27 as well as on Jan. 1 and 2. Canada Post observes all national, provincial and territorial holidays, with no collection or delivery of mail on those days.

LCBO

Select LCBO stores are open until 6 p.m. Visit the LCBO’s website for more information about store hours.