Canadian Holidays & Celebrations

There are at least 10 Canadian holidays in a year on a national level, but each province and territory also has its own separate public holidays, which makes it feel like there is a long weekend in Canada almost every month! While major Christian holidays are officially observed, other religious holidays are widely accepted as well in Canada. It's normal for students and employees to take days off for religious holidays not observed officially. Below is a list of all the holidays.

National Canadian Holidays & Celebrations

First let me list the celebrations across Canada, which are not national Canadian holidays:

Groundhog Day - February 2
Valentine's Day - February 14
FLag Day - February 15
Mardi Gras - February or March *
St. Patrick's Day - March 17
April Fool's Day - April 1
Mother's Day - Second Sunday of May
Father's Day - Third sunday of June
Grandparents Day - Sunday after Labour Day in September **
Halloween - October 31

* Celebrated only in Quebec City, Quebec
** Not so well known yet in Canada.

National Holidays

New Year's Day - January 1
Palm Sunday - Sunday before Easter Sunday
Good Friday - Around March/April
Easter Sunday - Around March/April
Easter Monday - Around March/April
Victoria Day - Monday preceding may 25
Canada Day - July 1, but if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday is observed as the Canada Day holiday
Civic Holiday - First Monday of August *
Labour Day - First Monday of September
Thanksgiving Day - Second Monday of October
Remembrance Day - November 11
Christmas - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26

* Not recognized in all provinces and territories (see below under Provincial & Territorial Holidays for the observation of this holiday).

Canada/USA Holidays & Celebrations

Here is a list of American and Canadian holidays and celebrations both countries share (apart from the holidays celebrated worldwide), either on the same day, on different days or under slightly different names:

Groundhog Day - February 2 *
Valentine's Day - February 14 *
Mardi Gras (in Canada celebrated only in Quebec City) - February or March *
St. Patrick's Day - March 17 *
April Fool's Day - April 1 *
Memorial Day (USA) - Last Monday in May
Remembrance Day (Canada) - November 11
Veterans Day (USA) - November 11
Flag Day (USA) - June 14
Flag Day (Canada) - February 15
Canada Day - July 1
Independence Day (USA) - July 4
Labour Day - First Monday in September *
Thanksgiving Day (Canada) - Second Monday of October
Thanksgiving Day (USA) - Fourth Thursday of November
" Big Shopping Day" (USA) - Friday after Thanksgiving in November
Boxing Day (Canada's "Big Shopping Day") - Day after Christmas on December 26
Halloween - October 31 *

* Shared holidays and celebrations

Provincial & Territorial Holidays

Ontario: Family Day - 3rd Monday of February
Civic Holiday - 1st Monday of August
Quebec: National Day - June 24
Nova Scotia: Natal Day - 1st Monday of August, except in Halifax where it varies from year to year, usually in August or July
New Brunswick: New Brunswick Day - 1st Monday of August
Manitoba: Civic Holiday - 1st Monday of August
Louis Riel Day - 3rd Monday of February
British Columbia: British Columbia Day - 1st Monday of August
Prince Edward Island: Natal Day - by proclamation, usually on first Monday of August
Saskatchewan: Family Day - 3rd Monday of February
Civic Holiday - 1st Monday of August
Alberta: Alberta Family Day - 3rd Monday of February
Heritage Day - 1st Monday of August
Newfoundland and Labrador: Celebrated on nearest Monday:
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
St. George's Day (April 23)
Discovery Day (June 24)
Orangemen's Day (July 12)
Regatta Day/Civic Holiday (fixed by municipal council orders)
Memorial Day - always on July 1
Northwest Territories: National Aboriginal Day - June 21
Civic Holiday - 1st Monday of August
Yukon: Discovery Day - 3rd Monday of August
Nunavut: Nunavut Day - July 9