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
The dates below come from Canada’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Day After New Year’s Day | Jan 2Fri | 2026 |
| Epiphany | Jan 6Tue | 2026 |
| Orthodox Christmas Day | Jan 7Wed | 2026 |
| Orthodox New Year | Jan 14Wed | 2026 |
| Isra and Mi'raj | Jan 16Fri | 2026 |
| Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Feb 2Mon | 2026 |
| Groundhog Day | Feb 2Mon | 2026 |
| Valentine's Day | Feb 14Sat | 2026 |
| National Flag of Canada Day | Feb 15Sun | 2026 |
| Louis Riel Day | Feb 16Mon | 2026 |
| Nova Scotia Heritage Day | Feb 16Mon | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 109 dates recorded 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 109 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
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.