Victoria Day in Nova Scotia in 2025

Victoria Day in Nova Scotia in 2025
  How long until Victoria Day?
Victoria Day
  Dates of Victoria Day in Nova Scotia
2026 Mon, May 18Regional Holiday
2025 Mon, May 19Regional Holiday
2024 Mon, May 20Regional Holiday
2023 Mon, May 22Regional Holiday
2022 Mon, May 23Regional Holiday
  Summary

Victoria Day celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria. Following the death of Queen Victoria, May 24th was decreed as Empire Day across the British Empire


When is Victoria Day in Canada?

Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine) is a federal Canadian statutory holiday observed on the Monday before May 25th each year.

Victoria Day is Canada's oldest non-religious holiday. It marks the birthday of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Following the death of Queen Victoria, May 24th was decreed as Empire Day across the British Empire. Today, Canada is the only country who still has a holiday on the day.

History of Victoria Day in Canada

Queen Victoria (May 24th 1819 – January 22nd 1901) was the ruler of the United Kingdom and the British Empire from June 20th 1837 until her death in 1901.

Victoria reigned for 63 years and seven months, a record for a British monarch that was only beaten in September 2015 by Queen Elizabeth II.

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

Did you know?

Despite being one of the most famous British Monarchs, at birth, Victoria was only fifth in the line of succession for the British crown, behind the four eldest sons of George III, including her three uncles and her father, Edward.

For many Canadians, Victoria Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, with many people opening their summer cabins. It is a popular holiday as it is the first holiday to take place in the warmer summer months.

In Quebec, National Patriots' Day (Journée nationale des patriotes) which is a commemoration of the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837 is celebrated on the same day as Victoria Day.

While Victoria Day is a holiday for all federal employees across Canada, it is not a paid statutory holiday in New Brunswick under the Days of Rest Act.

Nova Scotia is the only province or territory not to designate the day as a statutory holiday, though many employers will give staff the day off and schools are closed.

The holiday is called 'May Two-Four' in some parts of Canada, a name that refers both to the date around which the holiday falls (May 24th) and Canadian slang for a case of twenty-four beers (a "two-four"), a drink popular during the long weekend.

As it always falls on a Monday, leading to a long weekend, it may also be known as 'May Long' or 'May Run'.

On Victoria Day, all city, state, and government offices are closed. Schools, post offices, banks, and libraries are also closed. Public transport will run on a reduced holiday schedule.

Victoria Day Quiz

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The status of Victoria Day by Canadian province/territory

Province/Territory Status Comments
Alberta Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
British Columbia Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Manitoba Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
New Brunswick Day of Rest Not a paid holiday. All government offices will be closed.
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Nova Scotia Not a Statutory Holiday An employer may agree to give Victoria Day as a paid holiday. Not a designated retail closing day.
Ontario Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Prince Edward Island Optional Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Quebec Provincial Statutory Holiday Celebrated as National Patriots' Day
Saskatchewan Provincial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Northwest Territories Territorial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Nunavut Territorial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.
Yukon Territorial Statutory Holiday All government offices will be closed.



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