Canadian Public Holidays Explained: Federal, Provincial and Statutory Days
Understand Canadian public holidays, including federal general holidays, provincial rules, substitute days and why calendars differ across Canada.
11 min readCanada holiday calendar
Public holidays in Canada 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Canada public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 10
- Regional dates
- 4
- Observances
- 0
- Substitute dates
- 1
How public holidays work in Canada
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Canada calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
1 holiday has a separate substitute or observed date in 2026. Those dates are shown in the table, but entitlements can still depend on location, employer and the governing authority. April, September, December are the busiest months, with 2 listed dates.
Canada holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 14 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayCanada’s first public holiday of the calendar year, observed on January 1 across the country. | Public holiday | — | |
| Family DayA February public holiday in several Canadian provinces, usually observed on the third Monday of the month. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayA Christian holy day and Canadian public holiday observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter MondayThe day after Easter Sunday, recognized by the federal public service and some Canadian workplaces. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Victoria DayCanada’s official celebration of the Sovereign’s birthday, held on the Monday preceding May 25. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saint-Jean-Baptiste DayQuebec’s national holiday and a celebration of Francophone identity across Canada on June 24. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Canada DayCanada’s national holiday on July 1, marking the anniversary of Confederation in 1867. | Public holiday | — | |
| Civic HolidayA regional public holiday on the first Monday in August, known by different names across Canada. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Labour DayA public holiday on the first Monday in September honouring Canadian workers and the labour movement. | Public holiday | — | |
| Truth and Reconciliation DayA federal statutory holiday on September 30 honouring residential-school Survivors, their families and communities. | Public holiday | — | |
| Thanksgiving DayCanada’s autumn thanksgiving holiday, observed with harvest traditions on the second Monday in October. | Public holiday | — | |
| Remembrance DayCanada’s national day of remembrance on November 11 for those who served and died in war, conflict and peacekeeping. | Public holiday | — | |
| Christmas DayA Christian festival and nationwide Canadian public holiday observed annually on December 25. | Public holiday | — | |
| Boxing DayThe December 26 holiday that follows Christmas Day, known for visiting, sport and major retail sales. | Public holiday |
Stories behind the dates
Understand Canada holidays and traditions
Go beyond the calendar with editorial guides to public-holiday rules, historical context and the ways people observe important dates.
Sources for Canada holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.