What’s open and what’s closed New Years long weekend

Here's a look at what will be open and closed on the New Years long weekend:

BUSINESSES

If you need to run out to get some last minute supplies for your New Year's Eve celebration, keep in mind most grocery stores and NSLCs plan to close at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Many malls indicate they'll be shutting their doors at 5 p.m.

New Year's Day is a designated retail closing day in Nova Scotia, which means you can expect almost everything to be shut down, including NSLCs, grocery stores and malls. And with Jan. 1 falling on a Sunday, some businesses will be closed Monday in lieu.

Some pharmacies may close early on Dec. 31. Many will be open on Jan. 1, but some may have reduced hours of operation. It's best to check with an individual store for more details.

Expect many banks to close early on New Year's Eve and stay closed Sunday and Monday, January 2, in lieu of New Year's Day falling on a weekend.

Several other retail outlets will close early on New Year's Eve and stay closed New Year's Day. Some businesses may also be closed on Monday in lieu of New Year's Day falling on the weekend. It's best to call ahead or check the website or social media of a specific business to get more details.

TRANSPORTATION

Halifax Transit will have free, extended service on New Year's Eve. Volunteers from M.A.D.D. will be at the Halifax ferry terminal accepting monetary donations.

Access-A-Bus riders also enjoy free fares after 6:00 p.m. until regular service hours end.

The last ferries will depart Alderney at 1:30 a.m. and Halifax at 1:45 a.m. 

Woodside Ferry will not be operating on New Year’s Eve.

On New Year's Day, Halifax Transit buses and Access-A-Bus will be operating on holiday schedules, with no Alderney or Woodside ferry service on Sunday, Jan. 1.

On-street parking will be free on Monday, Jan. 2.

EVENTS AND RECREATION 

The annual live New Year’s Eve celebrations go Saturday, Dec. 31 from 9:45 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Grand Parade.

Halifax Public Libraries branches will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday and stay closed Sunday and Monday.

The Emera Oval is open for the season. Check the website for skate times.

There will be several New Year's Levees on Sunday, including at Halifax City Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at Government House from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Both are open to the public.

Many recreation facilities will be operating on irregular schedules up to and including Monday, Jan 2. 

In downtown Halifax, you'll find the ongoing light displays at Halifax City Hall from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and at the Halifax Public Gardens from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Jan. 1.

There's also an ongoing winter projection show at the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park every night starting at sunset along with a special New Year's Show from December 30 to January 2. Between those dates, the two shows will run back-to-back with each other, with a 3-minute intermission between showings.

SERVICES

Canada Post will not be collecting/delivering mail and post offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2.

Garbage, organics and recyclables collection services will not be affected by the holidays. HRM says crews will be working as usual on Monday, Jan. 2.

The Household Special Waste (HSW) Depot will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 31.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility will be open on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. but closed on Sunday, Jan 1.

The 311 Contact Centre will be closed on New Year's Day, but customers can still call 311 for urgent requests concerning transportation, municipal operations, facilities, animal services and illegally parked vehicles. 

The three Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2.