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Canadian Holidays |
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There are statutory as well as unofficial holidays in Canada. The statutory holidays are a part of the legislation that covers the nation, its provinces and territories. Read on to know about Canadian holidays in detail.
List of Canadian Holidays
Below you will find a list of Canadian holidays which are observed according to the legislation of the nation.
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New Year: This is a public and a statutory holiday in Canada. This is one of the most celebrated Canadian holidays. This is when people blow horns at midnight and hug each other to start the new year with peace and happiness.
Family Day: It is a statutory holiday that falls on the third Monday of February. The Family Day is observed in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. It is known as the Louis Riel Day and Islander Day in the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island respectively. However, it is not observed anywhere else in Canada.
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Good Friday: It is celebrated on the Friday that comes before the Easter. The Good Friday is observed to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Monday: This holiday is observed on the Monday which follows the Easter. The Easter Monday is celebrated as a statutory holiday in several parts of Canada except British Columbia. A special feature of this holiday is that people bring Easter Monday water from the church on this occasion. Then they sprinkle this water on their children and around their home and gardens. The people believe that the Easter Monday water will turn out to be a blessing for them.
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The Easter Monday witnesses celebrations in full swing with the Easter bunnies, Easter egg hunts, Easter games, parties and other colorful events.
Mother’s Day: It is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. This is the day when the Canadians honor and appreciate the contribution of their mothers in their lives. The Mother’s Day is observed with sparkling celebrations and activities where people participate so as to do something special for their dear mother.
Victoria Day: It is one of the Canadian national holidays celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Victoria Day is observed on the first Monday that comes prior to the 25th of May. It is celebrated to honor Queen Victoria and the current Canadian monarch. On this day, people honor the aura and grandeur of Queen Victoria, and celebrate the spirit of sovereignty.
Father’s Day: The Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It’s the day when people honor the contribution of their fathers and father-figures. So, on this day, people spend quality time with their dads, take them to parties or picnics and help them indulge in activities they enjoy doing the most.
Canada Day: It is Canada's national holiday. The Canada Day is celebrated as a federal statutory holiday every year on the 1st of July. Just in case it falls on a Sunday, the next day will be declared a legal holiday. The Canada Day celebrations include flag hoisting ceremonies, parades and music. In addition, there are fireworks, parties and barbecues for fun and enjoyment.
Civic Holiday: Mostly the first Monday of August is observed as the Civic Holiday in Canada. The theme of this holiday is to not work and stay away from the stress of work life just for a day. It is observed as a statutory holiday in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and New Brunswick. Saskatchewan and Nunavut also consider this day as a statutory holiday. However, it may have separate names in different places. For example, it is known as Civic Holiday in Nunavut whereas in British Columbia, it goes by the name of British Columbia Day. The Civic Holiday is observed in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, and some other parts of Canada.
Labour Day: The Labour Day in Canada is observed on the first Monday of September. It is one of the Canadian statutory holidays that are celebrated with great fun and enthusiasm. The Labour Day is observed to honor the workforce and celebrate their social and economic achievements. This is the day when people celebrate the rights of workers and enjoy taking part in parades organized by trade unions. There are picnics, fairs, festivals and fireworks to add color to this event.
Thanksgiving Day: It features in the list of Canadian national holidays. It is observed on the second Monday of October. The Thanksgiving is the day when you express your thanks for all the things you’ve received till the close of the harvest season.
Remembrance Day: It is observed on the 11th of November every year. This is the day when people commemorate the death of Canadian soldiers in World War I. The Remembrance Day is considered as the day of poppies. The poppy flower is considered as the flower of remembrance. The blood-red colored flower actually grew in the fields of Flanders where several Canadians died in war.
The Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in British Columbia, Alberta and other areas of Canada. However, it is not a statutory holiday but an "Official day of Observance" in Manitoba. In Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, the Remembrance Day is not considered to be a statutory holiday.
Christmas Day: The Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in order to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. This is when people in Canada participate in celebrations and perform the traditions. They attend a church liturgy on the evening of December 24. This is known as midnight mass.
On the Christmas day, people exchange gifts with their friends and family members and party to have fun and enjoyment. They prepare traditional recipes like the roast turkey, turnips, and cranberry sauce on this special day. On this day, people offer gifts to their dear ones and send warm wishes to make their day a memorable one. They decorate the Christmas tree and their houses with sparkling and colorful lights.
Boxing Day: The Boxing Day is celebrated a day after the Feast of St. Stephen, a Catholic Christmas Holiday. It is listed as a holiday in the Canada Labour Code. The Boxing Day is observed as a statutory holiday in Ontario. On this special day, families offer gift boxes to those who provide services throughout the year. They even gift presents, mostly gift boxes to those who’re poor. The Boxing Day is that day when the Canadians enjoy a unique shopping experience with their friends or families.
If you’re interested to know about Canadian holidays, check the list given above, and find out some time to enjoy with your friends and family.
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