List of Public Holidays in Canada

List of Public Holidays in Canada: Dominion Of Canada has 13 Public Holidays in total. In Canada, public holidays, also known as statutory holidays or simply “stats,” are special days recognized by law. These holidays include cultural, nationalistic, and religious celebrations and are determined by federal, provincial, and territorial governments. While some holidays are observed across the country, each province and territory may have its additional holidays.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Public Holidays in Canada in detail.

List of Public Holidays in Canada

There are five nationwide statutory holidays and six more for federal employees. Every province and territory has its own set of holidays, which can vary in their recognition as statutory, optional, or not recognized at all. Around the end of December, many employers and schools offer extra days off. Here is the list of those 13 public holidays list as mentioned below.

Public Holidays in Canada	Date	Description
New Year	Monday, January 1	Beginning of the new year.
Good Friday	Friday, March 29	Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Monday	Monday, April 1	Observance of the day after Easter Sunday.
Victoria Day	Monday, May 20	Celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day	Monday, June 24	Celebrated in Quebec in honor of Saint John the Baptist.
Canada Day	Monday, July 1	Celebration of Canada’s independence.
Civic Holiday	Monday, August 5	Non-statutory holiday observed in some provinces.
Labour Day	Monday, September 2	Celebration of the labor movement and the achievements of workers.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	Monday, September 30	Honoring Indigenous peoples and their experiences.
Thanksgiving Day	Monday, October 14	Giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year.
Remembrance Day	Monday, November 11	Commemorating the sacrifices of armed forces and veterans.
Christmas Day	Wednesday, December 25	Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day	Thursday, December 26	Tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate and spending time with family.

1. New Year In Canada – Monday, January 1, 2024

People in Canada celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31st every year. Canadians often get together with friends and family to welcome the New Year. Many cities have public parties and fireworks shows to celebrate.

• Parties on New Year’s Eve usually have fun decorations, music, and dancing.
• Some Canadians go to special events or parties at local places.
• People often make New Year’s resolutions, setting goals for the next year.
• At midnight, there’s a big countdown to the start of the New Year.
• People often toast with champagne and sing “Auld Lang Syne” when the New Year begins.
• In some places, especially where it’s cold, people enjoy outdoor activities like ice skating or snowshoeing.

2. Good Friday In Canada – Friday, March 29, 2024

Good Friday is a special day in Canada, celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It remembers when Jesus Christ was crucified and is an important day for Christians.

• Good Friday is a holiday all across Canada, so many people do not have to work.
• It’s a serious day with church services and quiet time for Christians in Canada.
• Some places might have different rules or close early on Good Friday.
• People might go to church, join processions, or think about Jesus on this day.
• Families often gather for a meal and spend time together on Good Friday.
• Good Friday is part of Easter, a Christian holiday about Jesus’s life and death.
• Good Friday changes each year, depending on the moon and the start of spring.

3. Easter Monday In Canada – Monday, April 1, 2024

Easter Monday in Canada is the day after Easter Sunday and is considered a holiday in most provinces and territories. It is a special day off in some places like Quebec, where many shops and places close. Overall, Easter Monday in Canada is about spending time with family and friends, wrapping up the Easter weekend.

• In other areas like Ontario and British Columbia, Easter Monday is not a holiday, but many still know it as a day to relax.
• After Easter Sunday, Easter Monday is a time for families to come together and take it easy.
• Some people use Easter Monday to keep celebrating Easter with more family meals or fun things to do.
• Others might go to church or join in community activities related to Easter.
• In certain areas, there are traditions like egg hunts or parades on Easter Monday.
• Lots of schools and colleges close on Easter Monday, so students and teachers get a day off.
• Buses and trains might run on different schedules on Easter Monday, with fewer services in some places.

4. Victoria Day In Canada – Monday, May 20, 2024

Victoria Day is a special day off in Canada, usually on the Monday before May 25th. It celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was the Queen of the United Kingdom a long time ago. Canadians have been celebrating Victoria Day since 1845, making it one of the country’s oldest holidays.

• Originally, it was celebrated on May 24th, but now it’s on the closest Monday to that date.
• Victoria Day marks the start of summer for many Canadians.
• People often have picnics, watch fireworks, or go to parades on Victoria Day.
• Some folks call it the “May Two-Four” weekend because they like to drink a case of beer with 24 bottles during the holiday.
• Victoria Day is important in British Columbia because the province’s name comes from Queen Victoria.
• The holiday is also celebrated in some parts of Scotland and the Cayman Islands.

5. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day In Canada – Monday, June 24, 2024

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a special day celebrated on June 24th each year in Canada, especially in Quebec. The holiday honors Saint John the Baptist, who is important to French Canadians.

• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a big part of Quebecois culture and is seen as the National Holiday of Quebec.
• It started in the 1800s when French Canadians wanted to show their culture more.
• Celebrations usually include parades, fireworks, concerts, and other events.
• People often show Quebec’s flag, which has a symbol showing the province’s French roots.
• Bonfires, called “feux de joie,” are lit to celebrate the start of summer and the idea of light beating darkness.
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a day off in Quebec, so many shops and offices are closed..

6. Canada Day In Canada – Monday, July 1, 2024

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st every year, marking the day Canada became a country in 1867. It remembers when some British colonies in Canada joined together to form one country. Originally called Dominion Day, it got its current name in 1982.

• Canada Day is a big holiday celebrated all over the country, with parades, fireworks, concerts, and more.
• Ottawa, the capital city, has the biggest Canada Day party, with a huge fireworks show.
• Many people put up flags and wear red and white clothes, the colors of the Canadian flag.
• It’s a day for Canadians to show love for their country and its history, culture, and accomplishments.
• Canada Day often includes ceremonies where new citizens officially become Canadians.
• Along with official events, many people celebrate with family gatherings, picnics, and outdoor fun.
• It’s also a time to think about how Canada values diversity, inclusion, and having many cultures.

7. Civic Holiday In Canada – Monday, August 5, 2024

Civic Holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of August every year in Canada. It is not a holiday that everyone gets off work, but it’s a day off in many places.

• The holiday has different names in different areas, like British Columbia Day in British Columbia, Natal Day in Nova Scotia, and Terry Fox Day in Manitoba.
• Civic Holiday marks the end of summer and is often a time for outdoor fun and long weekends.
• Civic Holiday comes from different historical events or important people in different places.
• In Ontario, Civic Holiday is just a day off and doesn’t have a specific celebration.
• In some places like Saskatchewan, the holiday is for honoring the people who helped build the province.
• Many businesses, offices, and schools close for Civic Holiday, so people can spend time with family and friends.
• Civic Holiday isn’t a holiday everywhere, but lots of people get the day off.

8. Labour Day In Canada – Monday, September 2, 2024

Labour Day in Canada happens on the first Monday of September each year. It’s a public holiday to honor the hard work of people and the labor movement. Labour Day marks the end of summer for many Canadians and is seen as the last fun day before fall.

• It started because workers fought for better treatment and fairer work conditions.
• Labour Day became an official holiday in Canada in the late 1800s, thanks to people fighting for workers’ rights.
• Everyone in Canada celebrates Labour Day.
• People often have outdoor parties or get-togethers with family and friends on Labour Day.
• There are parades and events organized by groups that support workers’ rights on Labour Day.
• Some cities have marches or gatherings on Labour Day to talk about workers’ rights and issues.
• Labour Day is not just about celebrating; it’s also a reminder that we still need to make sure workers are treated fairly and have good working conditions.

9. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation In Canada – Monday, September 30, 2024

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th every year. It’s a special day off in Canada, made official in 2021. This day is for remembering the sad history of residential schools in Canada.

• Residential schools were places where Indigenous kids were taken from their families and forced to forget their culture and adopt a new one.
• The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to honor the people who survived these schools and to recognize the pain passed down to Indigenous families.
• It’s a chance for everyone to learn about how colonialism and unfair treatment have affected Indigenous communities.
• Across Canada, there are events and talks on this day to help people understand and remember.
• This day also encourages us to think about making things right and helping Indigenous and non-Indigenous people heal together.

10. Thanksgiving Day In Canada – Monday, October 14, 2024

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October every year. It’s a national holiday observed in all provinces and territories. The holiday began with European harvest festivals and has been celebrated in Canada since the 16th century.

• Thanksgiving Day is a time for Canadians to say thank you for the good things that happened in the past year.
• Traditional Thanksgiving meals usually include roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
• Families and friends get together to share a special meal and spend time with each other.
• Many Canadians also help others in need during Thanksgiving by doing kind things.
• Some communities have parades and festivals with floats, music, and fun activities.
• Thanksgiving Day is also a time for outdoor fun like hiking, picking apples, and enjoying the fall leaves.

11. Remembrance Day In Canada – Monday, November 11, 2024

Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th every year to honor Canadian soldiers who served and died in wars and fights. It remembers the time when the fighting stopped in World War I on November 11, 1918, known as the armistice.

• The day used to be called Armistice Day but was changed to Remembrance Day in 1931 to remember all those who served and died in battles.
• Canadians pause for a moment of quiet at 11 a.m., the time the armistice was agreed upon.
• The red poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada, inspired by a poem written by Canadian soldier John McCrae called “In Flanders Fields.”
• Across Canada, events are held at memorials, cenotaphs, and military cemeteries, attended by veterans, military members, government officials, and the public.
• The main Remembrance Day event occurs at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, attended by important leaders like the Governor General and Prime Minister.
• Veterans often join parades and lay wreaths to honor their friends who died in war.
• Schools, workplaces, and communities also have Remembrance Day activities to teach people about its importance and encourage peace.

12. Christmas Day In Canada – Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Christmas Day in Canada is celebrated every year on December 25th. It’s a special day off across the country, so most shops, schools, and government offices are closed. Canadians often celebrate Christmas by giving and receiving gifts with family and friends.

• Many homes put up Christmas trees and decorations inside and outside.
• Traditional Christmas meals in Canada usually include roasted turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables.
• Some people go to church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, especially those who are Christian.
• There are often Christmas parades and festivals in many cities and towns, with floats, music, and visits from Santa Claus.
• Families might also enjoy activities like ice skating, sledding, or going to holiday markets.
• Christmas customs can vary depending on where you live and your cultural background, influenced by Indigenous traditions, French customs, British heritage, and other immigrant communities.

13. Boxing Day In Canada – Thursday, December 26, 2024

Boxing Day happens on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and it’s a day off for Canadians. It started in the UK as a day to give gifts to people who help us, like tradespeople and service workers. In Canada, Boxing Day has become a big shopping day, like Black Friday in the US, with stores offering big discounts.

• People often use Boxing Day to buy things they want but didn’t get as gifts on Christmas.
• Many folks use Boxing Day to return or exchange gifts they don’t need or already have.
• People also spend Boxing Day relaxing with family and friends, eating meals together, and doing fun activities.
• Lots of Canadians watch or go to hockey games on Boxing Day.
• Some people enjoy outdoor activities like ice skating, skiing, or taking walks in the snow.
• Charities and community groups often have events or raise money on Boxing Day to help others in need.

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FAQs – List of Public Holidays in Canada

How many government holidays are there in Canada?

There are 5 nationwide statutory holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day, and many other provincial statutory holidays. Federal employees get 6 additional holidays.

What are the 10 holidays in Canada?

The federal government does officially define 10 other days as “holidays” — Christmas, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Labour Day, the Queen’s birthday, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, and Truth and Reconciliation Day.

How many holidays do employees get in Canada?

Canada has nine national holidays yearly, and some provinces/territories have additional holidays.

What is annual leave in Canada?

On average, Canadians receive 10 paid vacation days. All provinces guarantee 2 weeks, except for the province of Saskatchewan which guarantees 3 weeks.

What is the famous holiday in Canada?

Canada Day, July 1, commemorates the day on which Canadian Confederation came into existence in 1867.