Many holidays are celebrated in Canada, some Canadian-exclusive and some that are celebrated worldwide.
Holidays
Jan 1-New Year's Day
Jan 6-Epiphany
Feb 2-Groundhog Day
Mar 11-Commonwealth Day
Mar 17-St. Patrick's Day
Mar 29-Good Friday
Mar 31-Easter Sunday
Apr 1-Easter Monday
Apr 6-National Tartan Day
Apr 9-Vimy Ridge Day
Jun 21-National Aboriginal Day
Jul 1-Canada Day
Aug 5-Heritage Day in Alberta
Sep 2-Labour Day
Oct 14-Thanksgiving Day
Dec 11-Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
Dec 24-Christmas Eve
Dec 25-Christmas
Dec 31-New Year's Eve
- Winter Carnival- Except for the addition of a lot of snow and some very cold temperatures, this is virtually the same celebration that takes place in Latin America and southern Europe in mid February or early March.
- Christmas Lights Across Canada, from early December to early January.
- Canadian Thanksgiving occurs at the same time as the American Columbus Day holidays, even though the festival is a harvest celebration and not relevant to the "Great Admiral." In fact, the holiday is thought to be related to a similar harvest festival held in Europe at the same time.
- Ottawa Bluesfest, early to mid-July 2014
- July 1 is Canada Day, and the date signifies the date in 1867 when Canada became a Dominion (instead of a colony) under British rule and established itself as a semi-autonomous nation. The national holiday is celebrated with parades, music concerts, fireworks, barbecues and many outdoor activities.
- Magnetic North Theatre Festival, June 18-28, 2014
- TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival, late June to early July 2013