Canada Day 2026 — How Many Days Until Canada Day?

Name: Canada Day
Location: Canada

About Canada Day

Canada Day on 1 July is Canada's national holiday, celebrating the anniversary of the Constitution Act, 1867 — the legislation that united three British colonies (Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) into the Dominion of Canada on 1 July 1867. Although Canada did not gain full independence from Britain until the Statute of Westminster in 1931 and full constitutional autonomy with the Constitution Act in 1982, Confederation Day (as it was known until 1982) has been celebrated since 1868.

Canada Day is observed across all ten provinces and three territories with fireworks, parades, concerts, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming thousands of new Canadians. Ottawa — the national capital — hosts the largest official celebrations on Parliament Hill, including a noon ceremony with the Governor General, military demonstrations, and evening fireworks. It is also celebrated wherever significant Canadian communities exist overseas.

The holiday also marks the high point of the Canadian summer and overlaps with tourism season in national parks. In Quebec, 1 July is also known as "Moving Day" — a quirk of the province's lease laws that historically set 1 July as the annual date for tenants to move between apartments.

Canada Day marks Confederation on 1 July 1867, when Canada became a self-governing dominion
It was called Dominion Day until 1982, when it was officially renamed Canada Day
In Quebec, 1 July is also "Moving Day" due to historical provincial lease laws
The Ottawa celebrations on Parliament Hill attract over 100,000 people each year
Canada's birthday in 2026 will be the 159th anniversary of Confederation

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Canada Day?

Canada Day is always on 1 July. If 1 July falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the statutory public holiday.

Is Canada Day a public holiday?

Yes — Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday observed in all provinces and territories. Banks, post offices, government offices, and most businesses close.

What happened on 1 July 1867?

The Constitution Act, 1867 (British North America Act) came into force, uniting Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia as the Dominion of Canada — a self-governing nation within the British Empire.