Public Holidays in Canada
Statutory public holidays in Canada, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Canada at a glance
Canada’s public holidays combine federal statutory days with provincial ones, so the list varies by province. Canada Day on 1 July is observed everywhere.
Several dates move with Easter, and most holidays falling on a weekend are observed the following Monday.
Canada public holidays 2026
Canada has 8 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Victoria Day | May 18Mon | National |
| Canada Day | Jul 1Wed | National |
| Labour Day | Sep 7Mon | National |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Sep 30Wed | National |
| Thanksgiving | Oct 12Mon | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 8 of 8 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Canada
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Canada.
Ottawa
A capital of Parliament Hill, museums and a frozen canal in winter.
Toronto
A lakeside city of neighbourhoods, a tower and one of the world's most diverse populations.
Vancouver
A city of glass towers between mountains and the Pacific.
Montreal
A French-speaking city of old stone streets, festivals and a mountain in the middle.
Calgary
A city on the Bow river, a gateway to the Rockies and home of the Stampede.
Quebec City
A walled old town of stone and copper roofs above the St Lawrence.
Top attractions in Canada
The places that draw most visitors to Canada.
Niagara Falls
A vast curtain of water on the border with the United States.
Banff National Park
The first national park in the country, of turquoise lakes and peaks.
Old Quebec
A fortified old town of ramparts and a funicular above the river.
CN Tower
A 553-metre tower over downtown Toronto with a glass floor.
Cabot Trail
A coastal loop of highlands, cliffs and fishing villages on Cape Breton.
Northern Lights, Yukon
Aurora viewing in dark northern skies from late August to April.
Festivals, food and getting around Canada
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Day After New Year’s Day
Falls on Jan 2
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🎉
Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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🎉
Orthodox Christmas Day
Falls on Jan 7
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🎉
Orthodox New Year
Falls on Jan 14
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🎉
Isra and Mi'raj
Falls on Jan 16
Food & drink
Getting around
VIA Rail covers the main corridor; flying is often cheapest for long distances, and cities have good transit.
Travelling around Canada’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Canada tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Canada's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Canada public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Canada have?
Canada has 8 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Canada is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Canada's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Canada typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Canada?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Canada?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Canada
There is no national calendar - each province sets its own. Shown below: Ontario (provincial school year calendars) and British Columbia via School District 61 Greater Victoria, whose calendar is approved by the BC Ministry of Education. Other districts vary by a few days.
2026
| Region | Holiday | Starts | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | March break2025-2026 school year. | 16 Mar 2026 | 20 Mar 2026 | official page |
| British Columbia (SD61) | Winter vacation | 18 Dec 2026 | 4 Jan 2027 | official page |
| Ontario | Christmas vacation2026-2027 school year. | 21 Dec 2026 | 1 Jan 2027 | official page |
2027
| Region | Holiday | Starts | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | March break2026-2027 school year. | 15 Mar 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 | official page |
| British Columbia (SD61) | Spring vacation | 15 Mar 2027 | 25 Mar 2027 | official page |
Official sources: Government of Ontario - school year calendars (checked 10 Sep 2026) · School District 61 Greater Victoria - 2026-2027 school year calendar (BC Ministry approved) (checked 10 Sep 2026)
School term dates in Canada
Term dates below are the periods when classes are in session.
2026
| Region | Term | Starts | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | School year 2026-2027Single continuous year; first day inferred from the provincial template ( Labour Day 7 September 2026). | 8 Sep 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | official page |
| British Columbia (SD61) | School year 2026-2027Last instructional day 24 June 2027. | 8 Sep 2026 | 24 Jun 2027 | official page |
Official sources: Government of Ontario - school year calendars (checked 10 Sep 2026) · School District 61 Greater Victoria - 2026-2027 school year calendar (BC Ministry approved) (checked 10 Sep 2026)
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.