What’s open, what’s closed in HRM for Natal Day long weekend?

With the Natal Day long weekend ahead and Acadian Heritage Month kicking off, there will be lots to do around the city, but also a number of closures and service disruptions for residents.

Mother Nature will be cooperating as this long weekend looks mostly sunny. A few showers could pop up on Friday evening, but Environment Canada’s forecast shows they will be short-lived.

Saturday and Sunday will be both clear and sunny with highs between 24 and 26 C. The holiday Monday looks to be a mix of sun and cloud with temperatures around 25 C.

Stores and businesses

Natal Day is not a designated retail closing day in Nova Scotia, which means you can expect many stores to be open; however, some may have reduced hours of operation.

Many grocery stores in HRM, including Superstore and Sobeys, have said they will be opening at noon and closing at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

NSLC locations in the region will be open from 12 p.m. to 6pm.

Some pharmacies may also have reduced hours.

Mic Mac Mall, Halifax Shopping Centre, Dartmouth Crossing and other malls have indicated that they will be operating from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday

Some banks may be closed on both Sunday and Monday.

Halifax Public Libraries branches will be closed on Monday.

Other businesses may be closed or have reduced operating hours on Monday, it’s best to call ahead or check social media/websites before heading out.

Transportation

On-street parking will be free on Natal Day. Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday service on Monday.

Both Alderney Ferry service and Woodside Ferry service will be operating on 30-minute schedules on Monday

On Saturday, the Alderney ferry service will operate on a 15-minute schedule from 12:15 p.m. until 11 p.m.

The Alderney Ferry will be free Saturday.

Macdonald Bridge will be closed to vehicles Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for MACPASS Miles and Bridgewalk

Events

There will be plenty of events to keep Haligonians busy.

The Buskers Festival runs until Monday at various locations on both Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.

The Halifax-Dartmouth Natal Day Harbour Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts

The 119th annual Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race will take place on Monday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

A Family Undersea Adventure Day will take place on Monday from noon to 4 p.m. at Sullivan’s Pond

The Lake Banook Natal Day fireworks will take place on Monday at 9:30 p.m.

Recreation

The Halifax Common Pool, Bedford and Cole Harbour outdoor pools, as well as supervised municipal beaches, are open.

The Emera Oval will be open on Monday, with equipment lending from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting.

Many other municipally operated recreation facilities will be closed on Monday. Residents are advised to call ahead to their respective facility for operating hours and program information.

Services

There will be no solid waste collection on Monday. If that’s your day, you’re asked to put your garbage, organics or recyclables on Saturday, Aug. 2.

There will be no collection or delivery of mail by Canada Post on Monday.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax recycling facility and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Monday.

The 311 Contact Centre will be closed to non-urgent requests on Monday but urgent calls can still be reported.