Holidays and Observances in Canada in 2023 (2024)

FAQs

Does Canada have the same holidays as the US? ›

Good Friday, Easter ,Christmas, New Year's Day and Labour Day (Labor Day in the US) are held on the same day in both Canada and the US. Thanksgiving is in October in Canada and November in the US.

There are five nationwide statutory holidays and six additional holidays for federal employees. Each of the 13 provinces and territories observes a number of holidays in addition to the nationwide days, but each varies in regard to which are legislated as either statutory, optional, or not at all.

Popular traditions include exchanging Christmas gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending the midnight mass. Along with sharing meals with friends and family, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with gifts. Many Canadians open their gifts on Christmas Eve.

Recent News. Canada Day, the national holiday of Canada. The possibility of a confederation between the colonies of British North America was discussed throughout the mid-1800s. On July 1, 1867, a dominion was formed through the British North America Act as approved by the British Parliament.

Canadian statutory holidays are as follows: New Year's Day; Good Friday (or Easter Monday); Victoria Day; Canada Day (formerly called Dominion Day); Labour Day; Thanksgiving Day; Remembrance Day; Christmas Day; and Boxing Day.

December 25. Christmas is by far the biggest holiday on the Canadian calendar.

Statutory holidays are New Year's Day, Good Friday (Easter), Canada Day, Labour Day and Christmas Day - these days are celebrated nationwide and are paid days off for employees.

In Canada, not all employees are entitled to the same days off work – whether or not businesses are closed for a federal, provincial, or territorial statutory (stat) holiday depends on the jurisdiction in which they're located.

Canada has nine national holidays yearly, and some provinces/territories have additional holidays. Employees are entitled to their regular pay on a public holiday.

When people are at Midnight Mass, they hope that 'Père Noel' (Santa) will visit their house and leave gifts for children under the tree. The traditional Christmas meal for people in Quebec, is a stew called 'ragoût aux pattes de cochons' which is made from pigs feet!

How do Canadians say hello? ›

A simple handshake, friendly nod, or easy 'hello' is a common way Canadians greet each other amidst the chummy crowd. Overall, Canadian greetings are as warm as a fresh stack of pancakes dripping with maple syrup.

Which is the most popular festival in Canada? The Montreal Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs, and the Calgary Stampede are some of the most popular festivals in Canada. Edmonton Folk Festival and Toronto International Film Festival are very well known.

Under the Canada Labour Code, employees of federally regulated industries are entitled to certain days off with pay –- New Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

According to its most recent census in 2021, which provided general data on the country's religious composition, 63.2 percent of the population self-identified as Christian, 26.3 percent stated no religion or identified as secular, 3.7 percent was Muslim, 1.7 percent Hindu, 1.2 percent Sikh, 1.4 percent Buddhist, 1.2 ...

Many of the most widely celebrated Canadian holidays are nearly identical to their American versions, including New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

Two of the bottom three countries, Canada and Japan, mandate at least 10 paid days off. The least generous country, the United States, is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation.

On Christmas Day, all the presents are opened. In Canada, Christmas Day is celebrated on 25th December. The Christmas festivities here are quite similar to the American observance of the occassion. Pantomiming wearing masks is a popular tradition in Canada and comes from Newfoundland.

Similar to the Fourth of July, Canada Day is celebrated widely, with firework displays, concerts, barbecues, patriotic parades, and celebratory festivals.