Canadian Holidays

January

New Year's Day is celebrated on the first day of the year, January 1st. It is a statutory holiday throughout Canada. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the next working day is considered a legal holiday.

The celebration of this holiday begins the night before when people gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. People may dance, sing, and drink a toast to the year ahead. Horns are blown at midnight, and people hug and kiss to begin the new year with much love and happiness.

February

By tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its burrow in the ground and cannot see its shadow (meaning it is a cloudy day), it means that winter will end soon. However, if it is a sunny day and the groundhog can see its shadow, six more weeks of winter await. Many cities have their own festivals with their own local groundhog. In Halifax, crowds gather at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park to see what Shubenacadie Sam’s prediction will be.

Valentine's Day (named after an early Christian martyr) is observed every February 14. A tradition dating back to the third century, the holiday is now celebrated by showing love, affection and appreciation for others with gifts (usually candy or flowers) or cards.

March

Spring forward, fall back! Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Daylight savings time results in more hours of daylight when the weather is nicer. The clock goes forward one hour at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March and back to normal time at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November. Get to bed early because you will lose an hour of sleep!

St. Patrick's Day is observed each year on March 17, but is not an official national holiday in Canada. St. Patrick's Day invokes the spirit of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island. Observed as a religious occasion in Ireland, in Canada it is often marked with festive parades and the wearing of green. Local bars and restaurants usually mark the occasion by serving green-dyed beer and playing Irish music.

April

April Fools' Day is always celebrated on April 1st but is not an official holiday. It is the name given to the custom of playing practical jokes on friends, or sending them on fool’s errands. Sometimes, elaborate practical jokes played on friends or relatives might last the entire day. Be careful what news you believe that day, because it may not be true! Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, "April Fool!"

Good Friday occurs between March 20th and April 23rd on the Friday beforeEaster. The date varies from year to year. It is a statutory holiday throughout Canada. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before.

Easter Sunday is held two days after Good Friday and marks the day that Jesus was resurrected following his crucifixion. As a result, it is one of the more popular church-going days of the year. For children, more lighthearted events to celebrate this day include the painting and hiding of eggs for outdoor Easter Egg hunts. Chocolate Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies are popular seasonal treats, and can be purchased at any drug or grocery store in the weeks before the holiday.

Easter Monday is the final day of the “four day weekend” started by Good Friday. This day is not considered a statutory holiday in most parts of Canada, as most stores, businesses and universities are open.

May

Mother’s Day is always held on the second Sunday in May. This holiday celebrates mothers everywhere and recognizes their contribution to society. Gifts, cards, and flowers are traditionally given to mothers by their children on this day. Be sure to give your mother a call if she is home in another country!

Victoria Day is celebrated on the final Monday on or before May 24. This statutory holiday in Canada marks the birth of Queen Victoria, the Queen of the British Commonwealth. Fireworks and parades across Canada mark this holiday.

June

Father’s Day is held on the third Sunday in June. Similar to Mother’s Day, this holiday celebrates fathers and their contributions. Male-oriented gifts like electronics and tools are traditionally given out as gifts, along with cards. Don’t forget to call your father if he is home in another country!

July

The 1st day of July is a statutory holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which established Canada as a single country. Parades and barbecues are held throughout Canada, and most public gatherings include a cake cutting to celebrate “Canada’s birthday”. If July 1 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is a day off for all workers.

August

Known as “Natal Day” in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, this holiday takes place on the first Monday in August. The yearly Natal Day Festival in Halifax includes parades, breakfasts, live entertainment, fireworks and family events.

September

The first Monday in September is Labour Day, which was traditionally started as a way to give an extra day off for workers. The day is now regarded by most people as the last long weekend of the summer. Public school and university typically starts after Labour Day, so it is seen by most families as the last chance to do some travelling or go to the beach in the summer.

October

Canadian Thanksgiving is held on the second Monday in October (by contrast, American Thanksgiving is not held until the end of November). Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the Fall harvest and to be together with family. A turkey dinner is traditionally eaten on either Sunday or Monday night. Although Thanksgiving is not officially recognized as a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia, all schools and government offices, as well as most businesses, are closed that day.

Halloween is always held on October 31, the last day of the month. Children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating, which involves going door-to-door and collecting treats. If you live in a house, you should be prepared with candy to give out. Jack-o-lanterns (hollowed-out pumpkins with faces cut into them) usually decorate the doorsteps of houses. Other popular Halloween imagery includes ghosts, scarecrows, and witches. Adults usually celebrate Halloween by attending costume parties or by staying home and giving out candy to trick-or-treaters.

November

Clocks turn back an hour on the first Sunday in November. Now it will be dark by late afternoon as the days get shorter during the winter. Turn back your clocks on Saturday night and gain an extra hour of sleep!

Remembrance Day is held on November 11 and is a statutory holiday in Canada. The day honours members of Canada’s armed forces who participated in the first World War, but also recognizes the sacrifices of everyone who has served in the military. World War I ended at 11 am on November 1918, so on Remembrance Day a moment of silence is observed at 11 am. Toward the end of October, pins in the shape of poppies (a small red flower) are sold in various public places like storefronts and malls. Poppies are of significance to Remembrance Day because of a poem written by Canadian soldier John McCrae called “In Flanders Fields”, in which the fields referred to in the title are filled with poppies. The poem is recited during Remembrance Day ceremonies.

December

Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas, and although it is not a holiday, many workplaces close early in the afternoon. Schools and universities close in the weeks before Christmas. Some families go to church together on Christmas Eve, or open a present or two before going to bed.

Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is best known for the exchange of gifts between family members, and for traditions like the decorating of a Christmas tree, caroling (singing Christmas songs), Christmas lights, and mistletoe. The most popular image of Christmas is Santa Claus, a jolly, white-bearded man who rides in his sleigh powered by eight tiny reindeer, delivering presents to children around the world. Many people also go to church on Christmas Day and open presents when they return home.

Boxing Day originated from an English tradition where wealthy members of society would give a gift box to those less fortunate, such as their servants. Today, the day is best known for shopping, with many stores offering huge sales the day after Christmas. Unlike other parts of Canada, Nova Scotia does not allow stores to be open on Boxing Day, so the after-Christmas sales have to wait until December 27.

New Year’s Eve is the last day before the start of the New Year. Festivities begin in the evening and last until the final countdown of the seconds remaining until midnight. Like Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve is not a holiday, but many shops and businesses close early in the afternoon.