Public Holidays in Canada – 2024 Overview

Canada, with its diverse cultural landscape and regional identities, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. Some holidays are observed nationwide, while others are unique to specific provinces and territories, reflecting their historical, cultural, and social diversity. In 2024, Canadians will commemorate a range of national and provincial holidays, each with its unique significance.

National Holidays like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Canada Day unite the entire nation in celebration. However, the Provincial Holidays highlight the distinct identities of each region. For instance, Family Day is recognized on the third Monday of February in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, while the day is celebrated as Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Islander Day in Prince Edward Island, and Heritage Day in Nova Scotia.

Quebec celebrates St. Jean Baptiste Day, known locally as Fête Nationale du Québec, while Newfoundland and Labrador have their unique holidays like St. George’s Day and Orangemen’s Day. In Northwest Territories, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a distinct occasion, and Nunavut Day is celebrated exclusively in Nunavut.

This comprehensive guide provides a detailed look into each province and territory’s unique public holidays in 2024, offering insights into when and where Canadians will take a break to celebrate their heritage, culture, and traditions.

List of Public Holidays in Canada

1. New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1, 2024
2. Family Day:

• Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan: Monday, February 19, 2024
• Louis Riel Day (Manitoba): Monday, February 19, 2024
• Islander Day (Prince Edward Island): Monday, February 19, 2024

1. Heritage Day (Nova Scotia): Monday, February 19, 2024
2. St. Patrick’s Day: Monday, March 18, 2024 (observed)
3. Good Friday: Friday, March 29, 2024
4. Easter Monday: Monday, April 1, 2024 (Federal employees)
5. St. George’s Day: Monday, April 22, 2024
6. Victoria Day: Monday, May 20, 2024
7. National Indigenous Peoples Day (Northwest Territories): Friday, June 21, 2024
8. St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec): Monday, June 24, 2024
9. Discovery Day: Monday, June 24, 2024
10. Canada Day: Monday, July 1, 2024
11. Nunavut Day (Nunavut): Tuesday, July 9, 2024
12. Orangemen’s Day: Monday, July 15, 2024
13. Civic Holiday: Monday, August 5, 2024 (Most provinces and territories, but named differently in some regions)
14. Discovery Day (Yukon): Monday, August 19, 2024
15. Labour Day: Monday, September 2, 2024
16. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Monday, September 30, 2024
17. Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 14, 2024
18. Remembrance Day: Monday, November 11, 2024
19. Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
20. Boxing Day: Thursday, December 26, 2024

These holidays can vary by province, with some being observed only in certain regions.

Provincial Public Holidays in Canada (2024)

1. Family Day (Monday, February 19, 2024)

• Observed in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan
• Known as “Louis Riel Day” in Manitoba
• Known as “Islander Day” in Prince Edward Island
• Known as “Heritage Day” in Nova Scotia

1. Louis Riel Day (Monday, February 19, 2024)

• Observed only in Manitoba
• Commemorates the Métis leader Louis Riel

1. Islander Day (Monday, February 19, 2024)

• Observed only in Prince Edward Island

1. Heritage Day (Monday, February 19, 2024)

• Observed only in Nova Scotia

1. St. Patrick’s Day (Monday, March 18, 2024 – Observed)

• Observed only in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. St. George’s Day (Monday, April 22, 2024)

• Observed only in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. National Indigenous Peoples Day (Friday, June 21, 2024)

• Observed only in the Northwest Territories

1. St. Jean Baptiste Day (Monday, June 24, 2024)

• Observed only in Quebec
• Also known as “Fête Nationale du Québec”

1. Discovery Day (Newfoundland and Labrador) (Monday, June 24, 2024)

• Observed only in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. Nunavut Day (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)
   • Observed only in Nunavut
2. Orangemen’s Day (Monday, July 15, 2024)
   • Observed only in Newfoundland and Labrador
3. Civic Holiday (Monday, August 5, 2024)
   • Observed under different names in various provinces:
   • British Columbia: British Columbia Day
   • New Brunswick: New Brunswick Day
   • Nunavut: Civic Holiday
   • Northwest Territories: Civic Holiday
   • Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Day
   • Ontario: Civic Holiday
   • Manitoba: Terry Fox Day
   • Nova Scotia: Natal Day
   • Prince Edward Island: Gold Cup Parade Day
   • Newfoundland and Labrador: Regatta Day
4. Discovery Day (Yukon) (Monday, August 19, 2024)
   • Observed only in Yukon
5. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Monday, September 30, 2024)
   • Observed federally and in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and British Columbia
6. Remembrance Day (Monday, November 11, 2024)
   • Observed federally and in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon

Summary of Observances by Province/Territory

• Alberta: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• British Columbia: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, British Columbia Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Manitoba: New Year’s Day, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Terry Fox Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• New Brunswick: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Brunswick Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Newfoundland and Labrador: New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, St. George’s Day, Victoria Day, Discovery Day (June), Orangemen’s Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Northwest Territories: New Year’s Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Nova Scotia: New Year’s Day, Heritage Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Natal Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Nunavut: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Nunavut Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Ontario: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Prince Edward Island: New Year’s Day, Islander Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Gold Cup Parade Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Quebec: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday (optional), National Patriots’ Day, St. Jean Baptiste Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
• Saskatchewan: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Saskatchewan Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
• Yukon: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Discovery Day (Yukon), Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

These holidays can sometimes vary based on regional interpretations or additional local holidays observed in municipalities.