BC/Alberta public holidays

There is at least one public holiday almost every month in BC and Alberta.

Most are statutory holidays ('stats'), which means that banks and government buildings are closed. Some private businesses also close on stats but typically not those in busy tourist areas.

Summer travellers should be aware of the dates of Victoria Day, Canada Day, BC/Heritage Day and Labour Day.

All of these stats create three-day long weekends and are very busy times to travel.

There is significantly more traffic on the highways. Hotel prices and competition for camping spots increase.

If your travel dates correspond with one or more of these holidays, it is imperative to make a plan and reservations early.

• New Years Day - 1st January*

• Family Day - Third Monday in February*

• Good Friday - Friday before Easter (March or April)*

• Easter Sunday - First Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon 

• Easter Monday - Monday after Easter (March or April)

• Victoria Day - Third Monday in May*

• Canada Day - 1st July*

• BC Day - First Monday in August* (Heritage Day in Alberta)

• Labour Day - First Monday in September*

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Last Monday in September*

• Thanksgiving - Second Monday in October*

• Remembrance Day - 11th November*

• Christmas Day - 25th December*

• Boxing Day - 26th December

Holidays marked with a * are stats. Those in italics have specific dates. If that date lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be the corresponding stat holiday, though the related events will still occur on the specific date.

Please note that Heritage Day in Alberta is technically not a stat but many people do have the day off anyway.

To check the exact dates for the year you are planning to travel, head to the statutory holiday page on the BC government website and the Alberta equivalent.