It’s almost over for this Christmas holiday – the shopping, the traffic, and the spending of money. Below is information about when stores close and open, things to do and the weather to guide you through the next few days.

However, in all cases, it’s best to check with the store or business or event you want to go to before heading out.

Store hours

Under the Retail Business Holidays Act, retail stores in Ontario are required to close on Christmas Day. Gas stations, convenience stores, pharmacies, art galleries, nurseries and tourism-related outlets can stay open.

For those who need to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, Sudbury’s two Walmart stores are open today, Christmas Eve, until 6 p.m. They are closed on Christmas (Thursday) but will open for Boxing Day (Friday.)

Sudbury’s shopping malls will follow a similar schedule. The New Sudbury Centre closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, for example, and reopens on Boxing Day, Dec. 26.

Likewise, Sudbury’s grocery stores will close early on Christmas Eve. The Superstore on Lasalle Boulevard will close at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24, compared to its regular closing time of 10 p.m. The No Frills on The Kingsway closes at 6 p.m.

Like retail stores, most grocery stores in the city will be open on Boxing Day.

In contrast, pharmacies in Sudbury may be open for extended hours on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Shoppers Drug Mart on Long Lake Road will be open until midnight on Dec. 24 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 25. Shoppers in New Sudbury, however, will close at 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will close on Dec. 25. The Shoppers downtown will close at 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 6 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The Rexall locations, in another example, will close at 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and close on Dec. 25.

The weather

Some snow is expected on Dec. 24 with a high of -8 degrees C. Dec. 25 will be sunny with a high of -9. Snow will return for Boxing Day and the weekend, according to Environment Canada.

Places to eat

Most restaurants will close early on Christmas Eve and close altogether on Christmas Day. Mr. Prime Rib, for example, is closed today except for people who want to buy gift certificates (until 4 at 4 p.m.), then will remain closed until Dec. 29. Most of Sudbury’s Tim Hortons outlets will close this afternoon, although many will offer drive-in service until later tonight.

Many McDonald’s outlets may be open today. Again, it’s best to check before heading out.

Things to do

– All Nations Church’s presentation of The Living Nativity, a beloved Christmas tradition in Sudbury, wraps tonight on the grounds of Science North, with the presentation commencing at 7:30 p.m. All Nations Church will also present a special fireworks presentation occurring after the show on Christmas Eve.

The event is free to attend, and spectators are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the Christmas lights generously provided by the Sudbury Charities Foundation. In the spirit of giving, attendees are also invited to contribute to their meaningful cause.

Learn more at www.allnationschurch.ca.

– Science North and Dynamic Earth are closed Dec. 24-26.

– The Downtown Movie Lounge and Silvecity are open through the holidays. In contrast, Sudbury Indie Cinemas is open today until 4 p.m. for gift purchases and is closed Dec. 25-26.

– However, the Sudbury Festival of Lights continues nightly on the grounds of Science North, from 5 to 10. Admission and parking are free, but a voluntary donation to the Sudbury Charities Foundation would be appreciated.

– Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment is presenting the second annual Jeremy Mahood Christmas Sparkle Symphony of Lights every evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 4, when the downtown Sudbury Peace Tower “will come alive in a breathtaking display of light, colour, and festive cheer.” For additional information, visit swse.ca.

– Winter WonderLIGHTS goes nightly in Whitewater Park in Azilda, 6 to 9, through to Jan. 1. For more information, go to cafeheritage.ca/winter-wonderlights.

– Yes Theatre’s production of Annie, meanwhile, has three more days to run: Dec. 26, 27 and 28. For tickets, go to yestheatre.com/main-stage-2025/annie.

– Greater Sudbury arenas will offer public skating during the holidays. For a list of locations and times, visit greatersudbury.ca/holidayskates.

Garbage collection

City of Greater Sudbury landfills, transfer stations and the recycling centre will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, but will be open on Dec. 26.

Residential waste collection that would normally occur on Christmas Day will instead take place on Dec. 27. Waste collection that would normally occur on New Years Day will take place on Jan. 3.

Waste collection on Boxing Day is unaffected.

Always ensure your waste is at the roadside no later than 7 a.m.

Residents may place natural Christmas trees at the roadside for collection and composting, as part of their biweekly leaf and yard trimmings stream. Trees must be bare of decorations, lights and stands, and may not be wrapped in plastic.

More information related to the holiday schedule can be viewed at tinyurl.com/438ryhuv or through the Waste Wise app.

Bus schedules

GOVA Transit schedules will vary through the holidays. On Dec. 24, service ends early. There will be no service on Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, a weekend schedule will be enacted.

On New Year’s Eve, hours will be extended, and service will be free after 10 p.m. On Jan. 1, the service will follow a holiday schedule.

For full details on transit holiday schedules, visit greatersudbury.ca/transit or call 311.

City government offices

Tom Davies Square will be closed on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1. All municipal facilities will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Library services

All Greater Sudbury library branches (including citizen service centres) will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. All branches will be open for at least four hours on those days. Branches will be closed on Dec. 25-26, and Jan. 1. For more details, visit sudburylibraries.ca.

Museums

The city’s museum services will be closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1. The Anderson Farm Museum will be closed through Jan. 2. Museum services staff will still be available during this time and can be contacted at museums@greatersudbury.ca or 705-674-4455 ext. 3966.

Animal shelter

The Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter will be closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1.

Municipal fitness facilities and pools will be closed on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1, and will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Additional holiday hours may vary by location. Please visit tinyurl.com/2s3w8c26 for facility and program hours.

For more information about municipal services, visit greatersudbury.ca.

Update at 7:41 p.m. Dec. 27:

The snowstorm forecast for Sunday morning and extending through Monday has been downgraded to a "Yellow Warning."

Unlike the previous "Orange Warning," yellow warnings are common, under which "Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts," and, "Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term."

Freezing rain with 10 to 20 mm of ice accretion is forecast alongside snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm, strong northwesterly winds with gusts of 60 to 70 km/h and reduced visibility in heavy and blowing snow.

"Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain Sunday evening and continuing through the overnight," according to Environment Canada. "The freezing rain is expected to transition to snow through Monday morning. During the transition a brief period of ice pellets is possible. The strong northwesterly winds will pick up through Monday afternoon leading to reduced visibility from blowing snow and falling snow."

Roads and walkways may be very difficult to navigate, travel may be hazardous and visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Road closures are possible, prolonged utility outages are possible and significant property or tree damage is possible.

"Avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities," Environment Canada cautioned. "Prepare for disruptions to transportation, services and utilities."

Original story:

Environment Canada has issued an orange-level warning in advance of a winter storm forecast to hit the Greater Sudbury area.

The warning, an upgrade from a previous orange level warnings, is for a hazardous winter storm expected Sunday evening to Monday night. It has been issued for:

Orange-level warnings are uncommon and are issued when, "Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts."

Both impact level and Environment Canada forecast confidence are classified as "high."

Environment Canada forecasts freezing rain with five to 10 mm of ice accretion, snowfall amounts of 20 to 40 cm, strong northwesterly winds with gusts of 60 to 80 km/h and blizzard conditions.

"Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain Sunday evening and continuing through the overnight," according to Environment Canada. "The freezing rain is expected to transition to snow early Monday morning. During the transition a brief period of ice pellets is possible. The strong northwesterly winds will pick up through Monday morning leading to blizzard conditions."

Roads and walkways will likely be very difficult to navigate, Environment Canada cautioned. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times, and road closures are possible. Prolonged utility outages are likely. Significant property or tree damage is possible.

"Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions," Environment Canada noted. "Avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities. Prepare for disruptions to transportation, services and utilities."

To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.

For more information about the alerting program, click here.

(Unconfirmed) Weak magnitude 2.1 earthquake at 2 km depth

16 Dec 10:07 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 1 minute.16 Dec 21:25: Now using data updates from RaspberryShake

Earthquake details

Nearby places

The closest larger town where the quake might have been felt is Greater Sudbury, a city with more than 170,000 inhabitants in Canada, in 13.4 km (8 mi) distance southwest of the epicenter. People likely experienced very weak shaking there. In the capital of Canada, Ottawa, 419 km (260 mi) away from the epicenter, the earthquake could not be felt.The following table shows some of the places that might have been affected (or not) by the shaking.

User-reports for this quake (60)

The first report about ground shaking reached us after only 1 minute, before other agencies reported it. We received 60 reports for this quake from Canada. Out of these, 52 people indicated they felt it. The quake was reported to have been felt in up to approx. 10.3–15 km (6.4–9.3 mi) distance.

The majority of reports came from Greater Sudbury (21 reports), a city with more than 170,000 inhabitants in Ontario in 13.4 km (8 mi) distance southwest of the epicenter, Canada, Toronto (20 reports), a city of 2.8 million people in 338 km (210 mi) distance south of the epicenter, and Valley East (4 reports) (13.7 km or 9 mi to the northwest). See the list of places where most people reported this quake further below.

Translate

Garson (13.3 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Sounded like an explosion loud enough to wake me up from sleeping followed by shaking and rumbling trailing off

Garson Ontario (338.1 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / not felt : Around 5am this morning I was starting to wake up when I felt a violent shake in my bed. Right after, my boyfriend (who doesn’t wake easy) woke up in a panic and asked me if I felt that. It was very loud

Copper Cliff (13.3 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / not felt : I was sleeping and it didn’t wake me up. I’ve lived here in Copper Cliff for 30 years and I’m used to underground blasting and hardly notice them either.

Val Caron, Ont (338.1 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / not felt : I heard a power surge or blip and then my oven clock chime went off because hydro went out but came on immediately after. My daughter in the same house did not feel quaking. Unless we’re really in a deep sleep.

Garson (13.4 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : It was like an explosion. Loud bang with a slow rumble that faded after a few seconds. Woke everyone in the house and scared the shit out of my cats

Val Therese (338.2 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

Sudbury (13.3 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating

Garson (13.4 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Garson Ontario (13.3 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Azilda (4.4 km S of epicenter) [Map] / not felt

Greater Sudbury, Ontario (8.8 km SW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : I was dead asleep n I woke up to it. Thought it was thunder.

Copper Cliff (338.3 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : It was very very faint. Almost like a heavy loaded truck or train was going by far in the distance.

Sudbury (9.6 km SSW of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Garson (1.6 km SSW of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs.Read more about the MMI scale!

Compare Quake Data

The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.

Earthquake statistics

Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 10.9 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):

The area where this quake occurred has relatively few earthquakes. However, It has had at least 4 quakes above magnitude 4 since 1970, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years.

Greater Sudbury and area are being walloped by a major winter storm that will continue through this evening.

The winter storm warning issued by Environment Canada said to expect freezing rain with ice accretion of between 10 and 15 mm, heavy snow of 10-20 cm and high winds gusting from 60-70 km/h. The heavy snowfall coupled with blowing snow has reduced visibility across the city.

The City of Greater Sudbury declared a significant weather event as a result, meaning all roads and sidewalks are considered in a "state of repair" until further notice. Crews are deployed across the city but they have their work cut out for them.

“Please avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities and prepare for disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities,” a tweet from the city states. “Stay safe and monitor official updates.”

Issued in accordance with Ontario Consolidated Regulation 239/02 under the Municipal Act, the weather event indicates that all roads and sidewalks maintained by the city are considered in a “state of repair” until further notice.

Garbage and recycling collection service may be affected during the storm, meaning it may take longer than usual to complete collection.

Curious where crews are deployed or about other city winter operations? Check out this handy chart that outlines where crews are and other relevant info.

Last season, the city launched a service that allows residents to track the snowplows on an online map. The Track My Plow interactive tool is back for another season, providing almost real-time updates on service times for roads and sidewalks. Visit GreaterSudbury.ca/PlowMap to check it out.

The city also reminds drivers of their responsibilities when it comes to snowplows.

“Please drive according to weather and road conditions. Exercise a high degree of caution around operating plows and give them space to clear the roads,” the city said in the news release. “The City will issue advisories as winter weather and snow events happen. Updates and information are posted via social media on X @greatersudbury) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/greatersudbury).”

The storm prompted the closure of both Science North and Dynamic Earth today. If you are aware of other closures let us know in the comments below or email editor@sudbury.com.

The city also reminded drivers of an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act that prohibits the improper passing of snowplows when they are working side-by-side on a multi-lane road or highway with a posted speed limit of 80 km/h or more.

“Motorists may only pass a plow truck if a full lane is available to complete the manoeuvre safely. In order for a lane to be considered available, no part of a snowplow, including an attachment or blade, should overlap," the city said. "A conviction would result in a fine between $150 to $1,000.”

Sandvik announces the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art facility at 2555 Maley Drive in Greater Sudbury, marking a significant investment in the future of its Canadian operations.

Sandvik is investing CAN$85 million in the project, supported by up to CAN$4 million in provincial grant funding through the Invest Ontario Fund, subject to execution of a definitive agreement. This investment is designed to stimulate economic growth, strengthen industrial capabilities across the province, and support the creation of 61 new jobs. The new facility will replace Sandvik’s long-standing location at 100 Magill Street in Lively, which has supported customers for more than 40 years.

Construction is expected to begin in December 2025, with the new facility scheduled to officially open in 3Q27. Situated on 115 acres, the site will feature a 135 000-square-foot facility and will support up to 400 employees once operational.

The new Sudbury facility has been designed to meet increasing customer demand for equipment maintenance, electrification capabilities, efficient service turnaround, and capacity for long-term growth. The investment will deliver double the existing workshop capacity and incorporate modern workshop areas, expanded office space, welding facilities, a paint booth, BEV-dedicated infrastructure, and a technology-focused simulator area for equipment operators and maintenance training purposes. The design prioritises circularity, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and efforts to minimise environmental impact.

Peter Corcoran, Vice President of Sales Area Canada for Sandvik Mining, said, “This new facility marks an important step forward in how we support our people and customers across Canada. We are building a modern, collaborative and future-ready work environment that reflects the rapid changes taking place in today’s mining industry. With expanded capabilities, enhanced infrastructure, and a strong focus on our core products, which align with Canada’s priorities around electrification and sustainability, this investment strengthens our ability to remain a trusted partner for our customers for many years to come.”

“As one of the most diversified manufacturing sectors in North America, Ontario continues to drive advancements that strengthen productivity and competitiveness across our critical industries,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Sandvik’s investment is not only a testament to the reliability and resilience of Ontario’s world-class workforce, but a great example of how investments in critical infrastructure will strengthen domestic supply chains and position the province at the forefront of industry transformation.”

Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of Greater Sudbury, said, “We are thrilled with Sandvik’s CAN$85.1 million investment in Greater Sudbury, which reflects not only their long-standing commitment to our community but also their confidence in our position as a global hub for mining innovation and mineral development. Their decision to grow their business here speaks to the strength of our workforce and Greater Sudbury’s role as a place where advanced mining equipment, digital solutions, and sustainable technologies can be developed and built. This project not only secures and creates good jobs, but it also reinforces a shared vision for a strong and innovative Greater Sudbury for years to come.”

Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario, said, “MRO facilities like Sandvik’s are an indispensable part of a resilient and sustainable supply chain. As companies increasingly turn to Ontario for mining and critical minerals, we are working to ensure the ecosystem is safe, performant, and future-ready. We’re proud to work with companies helping to accelerate the adoption of next-generation mining technologies in the province.”

As Sandvik continues strengthening its footprint in Canada, the company remains committed to supporting customers with safe, modern infrastructure and world-class service capabilities.