Public holidays in Canada 2020-2024
At first glance, the list of public holidays in Canada looks quite extensive. Due to the enormous size of the country and the regional and political peculiarities associated with it, there are numerous holidays that only apply regionally. In order to unify the chaos, holidays of different regions were put on a uniform calendar day at least. For example, Victoria Day (on the Monday before 25 May) is named differently in the individual federal states. So in the end something different is celebrated, but on the same day.By the way, Whitsun is hardly known in Canada. It is only celebrated in individual Christian communities.
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Non-movable holidays
Non-statutory holidays are written in gray.| holiday | Local name | date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | New Year’s Day | Jan, 1st |
| Epiphany | Holy Three Kings | Jan, 6th |
| Groundhog Day | Groundhog Day | Feb, 2nd |
| Family's Day | Family Day | Feb, 16th |
| Memorial Day of Bishop Patrick | St. Patrick's Day | Mar, 17th |
| Indigenous Day | National Aboriginal Day | Jun, 21st |
| Discovery of Newfoundland and Labrador (regional only) | Discovery Day | Jun, 22nd |
| Saint-Jean-Baptiste (nur Quebec) | St. Jean Baptiste Day | Jun, 24th |
| National holiday | Canada Day | Jul, 1st |
| Nunavut Regional Holiday | Nunavut Day | Jul, 9th |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Orangemen's Day | Jul, 31st |
| Memorial Day of the Victims of the War | Remembrance Day | Nov, 11th |
| Christmas Eve | Christmas Eve | Dec, 24th |
| Christmas Day | Christmas Day | Dec, 25th |
| Boxing Day | Boxing Day | Dec, 26th |
| New Year's Eve | New Year's Eve | Dec, 31st |
Moving Holidays in Canada
| holiday | Local name | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commemoration Day Louis Riel (only in Manitoba) | Louis Riel Day | Feb, 17th | Feb, 15th | Feb, 21st | Feb, 20th | Feb, 19th |
| Islanders' Day (Prince Edward only) | Islander Day | Feb, 17th | Feb, 15th | Feb, 21st | Feb, 20th | Feb, 19th |
| Ash Wednesday | Ash Wednesday | Feb, 26th | Feb, 17th | Mar, 2nd | Feb, 22nd | Feb, 14th |
| Good Friday | Good Friday | Apr, 10th | Apr, 2nd | Apr, 15th | Apr, 7th | Mar, 29th |
| Easter Sunday | Easter Sunday | Apr, 12th | Apr, 4th | Apr, 17th | Apr, 9th | Mar, 31st |
| Easter Monday | Easter Monday | Apr, 13th | Apr, 5th | Apr, 18th | Apr, 10th | Apr, 1st |
| Mother's Day | Mother's Day | May, 10th | May, 9th | May, 8th | May, 14th | May, 12th |
| Birthday of the Monarch | Victoria Day | May, 18th | May, 24th | May, 23rd | May, 22nd | May, 20th |
| Patriot Day (Quebec only) | National Patriots' Day | May, 18th | May, 24th | May, 23rd | May, 22nd | May, 20th |
| Ascension of Christ | Ascension Day | May, 21st | May, 13th | May, 26th | May, 18th | May, 9th |
| Whit Sunday | Whit Sunday | May, 31st | May, 23rd | Jun, 5th | May, 28th | May, 19th |
| Whit Monday | Whit Monday | Jun, 1st | May, 24th | Jun, 6th | May, 29th | May, 20th |
| Father's Day | Father's Day | Jun, 21st | Jun, 20th | Jun, 19th | Jun, 18th | Jun, 16th |
| August holiday | Civic Holiday | Aug, 3rd | Aug, 2nd | Aug, 1st | Aug, 7th | Aug, 5th |
| Discovery of Yukon (Yukon only) | Discovery Day | Aug, 3rd | Aug, 2nd | Aug, 1st | Aug, 7th | Aug, 5th |
| Labor Day | Labour Day | Sep, 7th | Sep, 6th | Sep, 5th | Sep, 4th | Sep, 2nd |
| Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving | Nov, 26th | Nov, 25th | Nov, 24th | Nov, 23rd | Nov, 28th |
Victoria Day
Canada was a British colony and still belongs to the Commonwealth of Nations. The Monday before 25 May is considered a public and non-working holiday throughout Canada in honour of Queen Victoria (24 May 1819). By the way, Canada is the only country that does not celebrate the birthday of the current Queen, but of the kings who also proclaimed the British Empire.However, Victoria Day is not celebrated throughout the country on this Monday, but an equally regional day, which varies from region to region. While the British Queen is honoured in Ontario, the neighbouring state of Quebec celebrates National Patriots Day. Thus, the whole of Canada has a public holiday on this day, while at the same time one is careful to limit the number of different days.
The occasion may vary regionally, but the celebrations are less so. Throughout the country, parades, concerts and horse shows are held on Victoria Day. Families gather for a picnic in the park in view of the warmer season. Schools. Post offices, libraries and government offices are closed throughout the country, although many shops are still open at least by the hour. Tourists should avoid longer distances on this weekend, as the long weekend means that many Canadians are on the road, the roads are congested and the ferries are fully booked.