Victoria Day
303 days until Victoria Day
About Victoria Day
Victoria Day is a Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, honouring Queen Victoria and marking the official Canadian birthday of the reigning monarch. It is a statutory holiday in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the three territories, while Quebec observes National Patriots' Day on the same date.
History
Victoria Day was established in 1845 by the legislature of the Province of Canada to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819. Following her death in 1901, the Parliament of Canada declared May 24 an annual legal holiday called Victoria Day. Originally, the holiday was celebrated on the exact date of May 24 unless that date fell on a Sunday, in which case it was observed on May 25.
In 1952, the Canadian government adjusted the calendar rule to fix Victoria Day on the last Monday before May 25, establishing a guaranteed three-day long weekend. In 1957, the date was also officially designated as the Canadian celebration of the birthday of the reigning monarch, a role it continues to hold today for King Charles III.
Traditions & Celebrations
Often called the May Long Weekend or colloquially "May Two-Four," Victoria Day traditionally signals the unofficial start of summer in Canada. Many Canadians take advantage of the long weekend to open up cottages, plant gardens, go camping, or attend community firework displays. Cities across the country hold parades, including the long-running Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, British Columbia. In Quebec, the day is designated as National Patriots' Day (Journée nationale des patriotes) to honour the 1837–1838 rebellion for democratic reform and self-determination.
Did you know?
- Canada is the only nation in the world that maintains Queen Victoria's birthday as an official public holiday.
- The slang term "May Two-Four" refers both to Queen Victoria's actual birth date of May 24 and to a popular Canadian term for a 24-pack of beer.
- Quebec formally renamed the holiday National Patriots' Day in 2002 to focus on French-Canadian political history rather than the monarchical tradition.
- Because of the holiday's date rule, Victoria Day always falls between May 18 and May 24, making it the first major long weekend of the Canadian spring.
Victoria Day dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Victoria Day a nationwide public holiday across all Canadian provinces?
No. While Victoria Day is a federal statutory holiday, it is only a provincial public holiday in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. Quebec observes National Patriots' Day on the same date, while Atlantic provinces do not designate it as a statutory holiday for non-federally regulated workers.
Why is the holiday celebrated on a Monday instead of May 24?
The Parliament of Canada changed the law in 1952 to set Victoria Day on the last Monday before May 25, creating a consistent long weekend for workers and families.
Whose birthday does Victoria Day officially celebrate today?
In addition to honouring Queen Victoria, Canadian law designates Victoria Day as the official birthday celebration for Canada's current reigning sovereign, King Charles III.