What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on Labour Day, 2025

Did you know Winnipeg observed its first legal Labour Day celebration 131 years ago?

Unions from across the city flooded downtown streets in a parade, followed by sports demonstrations (tug of war), and concluded with dancing and a performance by an Italian string band.

Whether you’re soaking up the last bit of summer or feeling grateful for the 40-hour work week, the Free Press has collected all the information you may need on this statutory holiday.

The Free Press is not publishing a print or e-edition Sunday or Monday, but readers can visit our website for the latest news and information.

Here’s a round-up of hours of business for services and things to do on September 1.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Civic, provincial and federal offices are closed.

There is no mail delivery on Labour Day. Canada Post offices are closed, but post offices operated by the private sector will be open according to the hours of service of the host business.

All city cemetery grounds are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The administration office at Brookside Cemetery will be closed.

Winnipeg Transit operates on a Sunday schedule on Sept. 1.  Plan your specific route and see service alerts on the Winnipeg Transit site.

RECYCLING AND TRASH

Recycling and garbage are collected as usual.

The Brady Road landfill is open.

The 4R Winnipeg depot at the Brady landfill is open. The Pacific and Panet 4R Winnipeg depots are closed.

RECREATION AND LEISURE

Winnipeg Public Library branches are closed Labour Day. (Find your great next read in our Books section.)

Arenas, leisure centres and city indoor swimming pools are closed.

City of Winnipeg outdoor pools and spray pads are open Monday. Select wading pools are open.

Major movie theatres are open. (Not sure what to see? Find news and reviews in our Movies section.)

The Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf are open regular hours.  See what’s on.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is closed. See current exhibits and events.

The Manitoba Children’s Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Check out their featured events.

The Manitoba Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Upcoming events at the museum and planetarium.

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Upcoming events.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Current exhibitions.

FortWhyte Alive is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.  Calendar of events.

The Crescent Drive, Kildonan Park, Windsor Park and Canoe Club golf courses are open. Interested in golfing elsewhere? Contact the course directly to confirm its hours.

SHOPPING

Most larger chain grocery stores are open, but you might want to call ahead to check the hours at your preferred shop.

CF Polo Park, Garden City Shopping Centre, Kildonan Place, Outlet Collection Winnipeg and St. Vital Centre are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grant Park Shopping Centre is open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Portage Place’s website indicates it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Forks Market is open.  

Most Liquor Mart stores in Winnipeg are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for the True North Square location, which closes Labour Day. Check hours at your preferred store.

Beer vendors and private wine stores set their own hours for holidays, so call ahead.

WHAT’S ON

The Winnipeg Labour Council is hosting a Family Fun Day in Memorial Park on Monday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. with face painters, bouncy castles, games and light refreshments.

The Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach hosts Fall on the Farm 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to celebrate the harvest season. Pioneer demonstrations including hog butchering, windmill flour milling, steam-engine threshing, sawmilling and quilting, as well as children’s entertainment, wagon rides and more. More details and ticket prices.

Le Burger Week is back at eateries throughout the province, running from Sept. 1-7. Their website lists 123 participating eateries in and around Winnipeg with offerings ranging from elk and bison (Peasant Cookery, Bistro Notre Dame) to “whiskey maple flambéed oranges” (Canadian Museum for Human Rights) to “Halal venison and beef tallow merguez” (Rumaysa) to soft-shell crab (King Cob Market Pub) to Wagyu and caviar (529 Wellington) and more.

A Taste of Manitoba runs through to Monday at Fort Gibraltar (866 Rue St. Joseph). Admission is free, with tickets for food and drink purchases $2 each (most fare costs between two and 10 tickets). See the event website for a list of participating restaurants, drinks producers and more.

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