Victoria Day - the Monday preceding May 25, the Canadian federal holiday honouring Queen Victoria and the reigning monarch
Victoria Day is the Canadian federal holiday falling on the Monday preceding May 25, honouring Queen Victoria (1819-1901), whose birthday was May 24. Observed in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec, it is the unofficial marker of the start of summer in Canada.
Next observed in CA - Victoria Day
Federal holidayPublished October 12, 2026
- Observed in
- Where observed
- When
- May
- Frequency
- Nth weekday of a month
- Days off
- 1 day - federal workers / banks off
- Public status
- Federal / public holiday (banks + federal offices closed)
Victoria Day is the Canadian federal holiday falling on the Monday preceding May 25, honouring Queen Victoria and the reigning British monarch. Observed in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec, it is the unofficial marker of the start of summer in Canada.
The one-line summary
Canadian federal public holiday on the Monday preceding May 25. Established 1845 in honour of Queen Victoria. Observed in all provinces and territories except Quebec. Unofficial marker of the Canadian summer.
Origin
Victoria Day was established in 1845 by the Parliament of the Province of Canada to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria (May 24, 1819). The Province of Canada was a British colony in what is now southern Ontario and southern Quebec; the holiday establishment followed a long tradition of celebrating royal birthdays in British colonies.
After Victoria death in 1901, the Canadian Parliament moved the holiday intent to honour the reigning British monarch, but the May date and the name Victoria Day were preserved. The decision to keep the name despite the death of the original honoree was debated in Parliament at the time.
The Monday rule
Victoria Day has been observed on a Monday since 1952, when the Canadian Parliament passed the Holidays Act harmonising federal public holidays onto a Monday-where-possible calendar. The holiday is anchored to the Monday preceding May 25, which means the date shifts each year between May 18 and May 24 inclusive. In 2026, Victoria Day falls on May 18.
Quebec and National Patriots Day
Quebec does not observe Victoria Day. The provincial equivalent, Journee nationale des patriotes (National Patriots Day), is observed on the same Monday preceding May 25. National Patriots Day was established in 2002 by the Quebec National Assembly to honour the Patriots of 1837- 1838, the Lower Canada rebellion leaders who fought for political reform.
The unofficial summer opener
Victoria Day is widely understood as the unofficial start of Canadian summer. Cottage openings, garden plantings, and spring clean-ups traditionally happen over the Victoria Day long weekend. The pattern is so consistent that the weekend is sometimes called May Two-Four Weekend (after Victoria May 24 birthday), a phrase popular in Ontario and the Canadian prairies.
Fireworks are the most visible public observance. Major Canadian cities including Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, and Halifax run evening fireworks displays on the Monday night. Some cities run daytime parades and concerts.
How it is observed
Victoria Day is observed through fireworks, picnics, and outdoor gatherings. Most federal, provincial, and municipal offices are closed. Banks, post offices, schools, and most retail businesses are closed. Public-transit schedules typically run on a Sunday-equivalent pattern. Major cities run evening fireworks displays.
Legal status
Victoria Day is a federal public holiday under Canada Holidays Act, observed in all provinces and territories except Quebec. Federal employees receive the day off with pay. Most provincial and municipal employees also receive the day off. Private employers are not legally required to give the day off, but most do as a matter of practice.
Where it is contested
Victoria Day is broadly accepted as a Canadian summer marker. The most frequent critique is the holiday association with Queen Victoria and British monarchy - particularly in Quebec, where the holiday is observed as National Patriots Day instead. Critics within Canadian republican circles have argued that the day continued observance is anachronistic; the holiday supporters emphasise its role as a Canadian summer marker.
Victoria Day by the numbers
Sources
- Government of Canada Holidays Act: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
- Canadian Heritage: canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage
- Historica Canada: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
History of Victoria Day
Victoria Day has been celebrated in Canada since 1845, when it was established as a holiday to mark the birthday of Queen Victoria (born May 24, 1819). The day was observed on May 24 until 1952, when a private members' bill standardised the date to the Monday preceding May 25, creating a three-day weekend. After Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the day continued as a tribute to her and to the British monarch in Canada.
Victoria Day became a federal Canadian holiday in 1845 and was retained after Canadian Confederation in 1867. It is observed nationwide, though Quebec does not actively celebrate it as a patriotic holiday and refers to it as "Journée nationale des Patriotes" on the same day. The day also marks the unofficial start of summer in many parts of Canada.
How it is observed
Victoria Day is marked by fireworks displays in many Canadian cities, particularly in larger municipalities. The day often features community parades and outdoor events. Many Canadians mark the day with the opening of summer cottages and seasonal activities. In some regions, the day is the traditional start of gardening.
Some Canadian monarchist organisations host ceremonies honouring Queen Victoria and the British monarchy. These are typically low-key public events, particularly in Toronto and Victoria, BC. The day's social media presence has increased in recent years.
Victoria Day FAQs
- When is Victoria Day? The Monday preceding May 25, every year.
- Is it a federal holiday? Yes, it is a federal public holiday in Canada.
- Why was the date changed? The 1952 change standardised the date to a Monday, creating a three-day weekend.
- Does Quebec observe it? Quebec recognises the day but celebrates Journée nationale des Patriotes instead.
Victoria Day in modern Canada
Victoria Day's status in modern Canada reflects the country's complex relationship with its British colonial heritage. Some Canadians view the day as a celebration of constitutional monarchy and Canadian history; others see it as a dated observance of relevance only as a long weekend. The day is officially recognised at the federal and provincial levels but is not celebrated with the intensity of Canada Day (July 1).
Fireworks remain the most prominent modern tradition. The Canadian Pyrotechnics Council estimates that fireworks sales around Victoria Day and Canada Day make up a substantial share of the year's fireworks market. Consumer fireworks are restricted or banned in some municipalities, and many larger fireworks displays are organised by municipalities and provincial authorities.