Canadian Thanksgiving Day, 2012

Monday, October 08, 2012, one of the statutory holidays in Canada is the Canadian Thanksgiving day. Unlike the Americans, who celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of the year, Canadians celebrate it on the second Monday of the October. Another thing that varies in American Turkey day holiday and Canadian holiday is that the former celebrate it as a remembrance of the time, when Pilgrims settled in America, while the latter celebrate the holiday as a harvest festival. 

Families across Canada celebrate this day according to the family traditions. Most of the people prefer having Thanksgiving meals on any of the 3 weekend days, preferably Sunday.

What is Closed On Thanksgiving Day:

The passport office as well as the post office will remain closed on the day of Harvest Festival.

Except in Quebec, most of the liquor outlets, those run by the government are closed.

All the Banks, schools, and most of the child care facilities are closed.

Most of the restaurants and supermarkets will remain closed on the Monday, you can call in advance to avoid inconvenience.

What is Open on the Thanksgiving Day:

All the tourist places are open and the public facilities such as restaurants and stores nearby such places will be open on the holiday.

Most of the public transportation will operate on the Monday.

Some medicos at the key locations will remain open.

Events in Toronto on the Canadian Thanksgiving Day, 2012:

Prepare Thanksgiving Meal at Gibson House Kitchen: 

Harvest is the theme for this Turkey Day at the Gibson House museum. This event will be conducted from October 6th to October 8th 2012 at the museum. The timings for the museum to be open are noon to 5 pm. Located at 5172 Yonge St., this museum is easily accessible by the Yonge subway line.

The program is a way to learn how the Canadian pioneers used to cook their food after the autumn harvest. The museum also lends period costumes, provides learning activities and also assigns kitchen tasks to the visitors. Children are invited to the event to learn history and the admission fee for adults is around $10.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Black Creek Pioneer Village:

Toronto Region Conservation Authority operates the Black Creek Pioneer Village. It is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway. The highlight of the holiday celebrations is the Thanksgiving Dinner, which will feature turkey and Ontario produce. There will be an vegetarian option included in the menu, called Rustic Maple Root Vegetable Risotto. The program is conducted from October 7 to October 8. Reservations are mandatory and along with admission fee parking fee is payable too. Seatings are available from 2.30 pm onwards till 5 pm. Cost for adult admission is around $50. However, for the members of Black Creek Pioneer Village, special discounts are available.

Thanksgiving in Canada is fun time and this year will be no exception. Whenever, Wherever, and with whomsoever, you are celebrating this Thanksgiving day in Canada, I wish you have fun and hope it is a great weekend for you. Happy Thanksgiving!