Remembrance Day 2026: Toronto ceremony locations and what is open or closed

TORONTO — Canada marks Remembrance Day on Wednesday, honouring soldiers who lost their lives in wars and military conflicts, as well as veterans and members of the armed forces who served the country.

The Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton are hosting a series of official ceremonies and memorial gatherings, including two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., a national tradition held each year on the 11th day of the 11th month.

The day brings closures of some government institutions and banking and postal services, while most stores and commercial facilities in Ontario continue to operate, possibly with adjusted hours.

Main Remembrance Day ceremonies in Toronto

The City of Toronto is holding its main ceremony at the cenotaph at Old City Hall, 60 Queen Street West, starting at 10:45 a.m.

Mayor Olivia Chow is scheduled to speak at the event, which runs until noon and includes tributes to the fallen and the laying of wreaths.

Other ceremonies are being held in East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York, as well as at the Fort York historic site.

Queen's Park, in front of the Ontario Legislative Building, is also hosting an official ceremony at 10:45 a.m.

Those who wish to take part remotely can watch a livestream of the Old City Hall ceremony on the City of Toronto's official website, starting at 10:55 a.m.

An early memorial event begins at Prospect Cemetery at 8 a.m., while Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre holds a ceremony at 10:15 a.m. with the participation of the veterans' community.

The Toronto Zoo is holding a ceremony at 10:55 a.m., with free admission for eligible military members and veterans and a 50 per cent discount for members of the public attending the event, subject to the zoo's conditions. These events give families additional ways to take part in Remembrance Day.

Events in Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton

In Mississauga, the city hall square ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m., near Celebration Square, while the Royal Canadian Legion is organizing a march in Port Credit that ends with a ceremony near the memorial at Vimy Park.

Brampton has a morning ceremony at Meadowvale Cemetery at 7:55 a.m., followed by an event at the monument at Ken Whillans Square at 10:30 a.m.

Hamilton is holding its main ceremony at Gore Park at 10:45 a.m., along with local events in other areas, including Stoney Creek, Ancaster and Dundas.

Ceremonies are also being held in Woodbridge, Unionville, Oshawa and Pickering, allowing residents to take part close to where they live.

What is closed today?

Despite the importance of the national occasion, Remembrance Day is not a mandatory public holiday for all workers in Ontario.

Federal government offices, including Service Canada offices and the Canada Revenue Agency, are closed, and Canada Post delivery and collection services are suspended.

The major banks are closing their branches to customers, although ATMs and online banking remain available.

Most shopping centres, large stores, supermarkets, restaurants and schools are open, on their usual schedules or with adjusted hours. Customers are advised to check the hours of each location.

LCBO and The Beer Store locations open at noon instead of in the morning.

Transit and a symbolic pause at 11 a.m.

The TTC continues to operate, but stops its vehicles for two minutes at 11 a.m. in memory of the fallen.

Eligible military members and veterans can travel free, under proof-of-service rules, while GO Transit and UP Express offer similar benefits that include one companion and some family members of deceased veterans.

In Mississauga, MiWay already offers free rides to eligible veterans and military members, and its buses also stop for two minutes.

Road closures in downtown Toronto

Traffic restrictions near Old City Hall and Queen's Park begin at about 10 a.m. and cover parts of Queen Street West, Bay Street and Wellesley Street West.

Toronto Police Service urged drivers to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes, with congestion expected around the ceremony sites.