Labour Day weekend 2023: What’s open and closed in the Halifax area
Plan ahead for Labour Day, happening Monday, Sept. 4. It’s one of nine retail closing days designated by the Nova Scotia government — so you’ll be out of luck for spur-of-the-moment trips to major stores and many small businesses.
But don’t despair: there are still lots of spots to pick up food and drink, and support local businesses.
Big grocery stores such as Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Walmart and Costco locations will be closed.
Gateway Meat Market , and Dave’s Fruit and Vegetable Market n Dartmouth are open, along with Kingswood Market in Hammonds Plains Some farm markets may also be open.
Some pharmacies will be open but may have reduced hours. Call ahead or check online.
NSLC branches will be be closed on Labour Day but many private outlets will be open. Westside Beer, Wine and Spirits, Rockhead Wine and Beer, and Harvest Wines and Spirits are open from noon to 8 p.m. Bishop’s Cellar, Propeller (all locations), Nine Locks and the Moosehead Cold Beer Store are among the other spots open (check their websites or social media for hours).
Halifax Transit buses will be operating on their holiday schedules Monday. Alderney ferry service will run every half-hour on Labour Day – the first crossing leaving the Alderney terminal at 7:30 a.m. and the last one from the Halifax terminal at 11:45 p.m. The Woodside ferry will not be operating on Labour Day.
On-street parking will be free Monday.
All Halifax Public Libraries branches will be closed Labour Day.
Many HRM recreation facilities will be closed Monday. Call or check online before you go. The Emera Oval will be open on Monday and a detailed schedule can be found here. As of Aug. 31, lifeguard supervision and water testing ended at all municipal beaches. Kearney Lake, Chocolate Lake and Penhorn Lake beaches will be open each day of the long weekend.
Solid waste collection that normally happens Monday will take place two days earlier on Saturday, Sept. 2. The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax recycling facility and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Monday but will be open for regular service on Saturday, Sept. 2.
HRM’s 311 contact centre will be closed for full service on Labour Day but urgent calls can still be reported. In-person customer centres will be closed Monday.
Fireworks are not permitted on Labour Day under the HRM noise bylaw.
