Want to learn more about Canadian culture? Canada’s holidays are full of fun, food, and tradition. You may not know where to start, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- Canada Day
- Victoria Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Halloween and more!
Keep reading to find out about these exciting events. Imagine enjoying fireworks, eating tasty food, and making great memories. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to enjoy Canada’s best holidays.
Let’s get started!
- 1. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Canada Day
- 2. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Victoria Day
- 3. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Remembrance Day
- 4. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Thanksgiving
- 5. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Christmas
- 6. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: New Year's Day
- 7. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Halloween
- 8. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Civic Holiday
- Traditions and Holidays in Canada: A Recap
- FAQ
1. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Canada Day
Time & Location: Canada Day, celebrated on July 1st, marks the country’s founding in 1867. If July 1st is a Sunday, the holiday moves to July 2nd. As part of traditions and holidays in Canada, people celebrate with fireworks, parades, and family gatherings. It’s a public holiday for most workers.
Event Details: Canada Day celebrates the joining of three colonies to form Canada in 1867. It was first called Dominion Day and was renamed in 1982 when Canada became fully independent.
On this day, people enjoy fireworks, parades, barbecues, and concerts. The holiday is a time to celebrate Canadian Culture, identity, and history. Events happen all across the country, even in places where Canadians live abroad.
2. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Victoria Day
Time & Location: Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, between May 18 and May 24. In 2024, it will fall on May 20. As part of traditions and holidays in Canada, it honors Queen Victoria’s birthday and signals the start of summer.
Event Details: Victoria Day honors Queen Victoria, known as the “Mother of Confederation.” The holiday began in Canada around 1845, originally celebrated on her actual birthday, May 24. Since 1952, it has also been the official birthday of the current Canadian monarch.
In Canada, the holiday marks the start of summer. People celebrate with fireworks and parades. In Quebec, before 2003, the day was known as Fête de Dollard, to remember Adam Dollard des Ormeaux. Since 2003, it has been National Patriots’ Day in Quebec.
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3. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Remembrance Day
Time & Location: Remembrance Day is observed every year on November 11 as part of traditions and holidays in Canada. It marks the end of World War I at 11:00 AM, when the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, to honor the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers.
Event Details: Remembrance Day honors soldiers who died in service. People wear a poppy to remember them. The holiday began as Armistice Day but was renamed during World War II.
In Commonwealth countries, it became Remembrance Day, while the U.S. calls it Veterans Day. On this day, people hold ceremonies and observe a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives for their country.
4. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Thanksgiving
Time & Location: Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October as part of traditions and holidays in Canada. Official since 1879, it was once celebrated on different dates but has been fixed to the second Monday in October since 1957.
Event Details: Thanksgiving is a day for Canadians to give thanks for a good harvest and the blessings of the past year. It is similar to harvest festivals celebrated in Europe. On Thanksgiving Day, churches are decorated with pumpkins, corn, and wheat.
The big meal is usually held on Sunday during the long weekend. Typical foods served include turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. In some regions, people also enjoy wild game, Jiggs dinner, butter tarts, and Nanaimo bars.
Communities across Canada host events such as agricultural fairs and parades. For example, the Markham Fair takes place before Thanksgiving, and there is a large parade for Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo. The Canadian Football League also has a special game called the Thanksgiving Day Classic.
Thanksgiving is a public holiday in most of Canada, but in some places like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, it is optional.
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5. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Christmas
Time & Location: Christmas happens every year on December 25 as part of traditions and holidays in Canada. It is a public holiday in Canada and many other countries, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
The season often starts in late November or early December. Some begin with the first Sunday of Advent. The holiday time continues into early January.
Event Details: People in Canada celebrate Christmas in many ways. Families come from different backgrounds, such as French, English, Ukrainian, and Indigenous groups. This means the customs can be a little different from place to place.
Many people send cards to friends and family. They decorate their homes with lights, trees, and stockings for Santa. Some open presents on Christmas Eve, while others wait until the morning.
The Christmas meal often includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables. Popular desserts are fruit cake, sweet tarts, and puddings. Christmas crackers are often placed on the table for fun.
If there’s snow, people go skating, skiing, or sledding. Canadian children believe in Santa Claus. Some like to say that Santa lives in the far north, close to Canada.
In Toronto, there is a big Santa Claus Parade. It started in 1913. Today, it includes floats, costumes, music, and many people. The event is shown on TV in many countries.
In Montreal, there is a popular Christmas event called the Great Christmas Market. It takes place on Sainte-Catherine Street. The market has music, food, and handmade goods. Over 60 vendors sell items. Visitors can also enjoy live shows. The market stays open until December 31. Times may change based on the day you visit.
6. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: New Year’s Day
Time & Location: New Year’s Day is on January 1, marking the first day of the year in Canada and many other countries that use the Gregorian calendar.
In traditions and holidays in Canada, celebrations begin on the night of December 31, with people awaiting midnight to ring in the new year.
Event Details: Many people celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends or family. They often go to parties, either at home or in public places like bars or clubs. In parts of Quebec, some people go ice fishing with friends instead of having a party.
Celebrations often last past midnight, so many people sleep late or relax on New Year’s Day. Some go outside to enjoy winter fun, while others travel back from their holiday trips or visit family.
In Canada, most people follow the solar calendar, but some cultures use different calendars and celebrate the new year at other times.
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7. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Halloween
Time & Location: Halloween is celebrated every year on October 31st in Canada, a night before All Hallows’ Day, a day to remember those who have passed away. It is a key celebration of traditions and holidays in Canada.
Event Details: On Halloween, children enjoy trick-or-treating, going from house to house to collect candy. Another fun activity is carving pumpkins into Jack-o’-lanterns, which are placed outside on porches or windows to add to the spooky atmosphere.
People also dress up in costumes, and you can choose to be anything from a ghost to a favorite movie character. Some wear costumes to school or work.
Homes are often decorated with spooky items like skeletons, spiders, and fake cobwebs. Many people like to watch scary movies or tell ghost stories. Some light candles for those who have passed away.
Since Halloween is in the fall, it can be chilly. If you’re trick-or-treating, you might need to wear a winter coat over your costume. Halloween is all about having fun, using your imagination, and enjoying the spooky side of life!
8. Traditions and Holidays in Canada: Civic Holiday
Time & Location: Civic Holiday takes place on the first Monday of August every year, a public holiday in most parts of Canada. The name can vary depending on the area, but it is widely observed in traditions and holidays in Canada.
Event Details: In some provinces, a Civic Holiday is called something else. It is British Columbia Day in British Columbia, New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan Day in Saskatchewan. In Alberta, it is Heritage Day. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, it is Natal Day. Terry Fox Day is celebrated in Manitoba to honor the famous runner.
On this day, people in Canada enjoy the summer outdoors. Many spend time with family and friends, whether in parks or gardens. Some have picnics, barbecues, or go on walks.
Many cities host fun festivals, where there’s music, food, and local art. People can also enjoy parades, fireworks, and ceremonies that recognize achievements in sports, education, and cooking. Even though it’s not a mandatory holiday everywhere, most people take time to relax and enjoy the day.
Traditions and Holidays in Canada: A Recap
Holidays and traditions in Canada are a great way to enjoy the culture. They bring people together with delicious food, fun activities, and time spent with family and friends. Each holiday has its special traditions that show what matters to Canadians.
From New Year’s Day to Thanksgiving and Canada Day, every holiday is unique. It’s not just about the celebrations but also about making memories with loved ones and honoring Canadian values. Canadian holidays are a perfect time to enjoy the culture and spend time with the people you care about.