Victoria Day in Canada

When is Victoria Day in Canada?

Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine) is a federal Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on Mondays before May 25 each year.

Victoria Day is Canada's oldest non-religious holiday. It marks Queen Victoria's birthday (1837-1901). Following the death of Queen Victoria, May 24 was declared Empire Day throughout the British Empire. Today, Canada is the only country where holidays are still celebrated.

History of Victoria Day in Canada

Queen Victoria (24 May 1819 - 22 January 1901) ruled the United Kingdom and the British Empire from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Victoria reigned 63 years and seven months, a record for a British monarch who was only defeated by Queen Elizabeth II in September 2015.

Although she never actually went to Canada, Queen Victoria grew up knowing a lot about Canada. His father, the Duke of Kent (fourth son of Prince Edward, King George III), lived in Quebec City and Halifax for about ten years.

For many Canadians, Victoria Day marks the unofficial start of summer, with many opening their summer cabins. It is a popular holiday because it is the first holiday in the warm summer months.

In Quebec, Victoria Day is celebrated on the same day as National Patriotic Day (Journée nationale des patriotes) commemorating the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837. Although Victoria Day is a holiday for all federal employees across Canada, it is not a paid holiday in New Brunswick under the Day of Rest Act. Nova Scotia is the only province or region that does not designate the day as a statutory holiday, although many employers will give employees a day off and schools will be closed.

The holiday is called 'May Two-Four' in some parts of Canada, a name that refers to both the holiday (May 24) and the Canadian slang for twenty-four beers (a "two-four"), a popular weekend drink. Since it always falls on a Monday, which leads to a long weekend, it may also be known as ‘May Long’ or ‘May Run’.

On Victoria Day, all cities, states and government offices are closed. Schools, post offices, banks, libraries are also closed. Public transport will run less during the holidays.