Making the Most of Long Weekends in Canada 2024

Look back at 2024 long weekends in Canada with our guide on how to spend these breaks. Browse possible holiday breaks and suggested activities, with caveats about time off.

Long weekends are an opportunity to recharge and explore new experiences. In Canada, these extended weekends are often a chance to travel, spend time in activities, or to unwind. This guide looks back at the holiday breaks in 2024.

How to Spend Your Long Weekend?

A long weekend offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Here are some ideas to inspire your plans:

1. Get Outdoors: Hiking, camping, and exploring national parks to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
2. City Breaks: Visit a new city, explore its attractions, and soak in the culture.
3. Staycation: The best vacation is right at home. Enjoy yourself with spa days, movie marathons, and home-cooked feasts.
4. Hobbies and Learning: Use the extra time to dive into a hobby or start a new book.
5. Family and Friends: Reconnect with loved ones through barbecues, game nights, or family outings.

Possible 2024 Holiday Breaks in Canada

These ranges assume eligibility, a Monday–Friday schedule and the relevant holidays off. Check provincial/territorial or federal coverage for your job, your normal schedule and any needed approved leave or schedule arrangement.

Ontario’s list includes Family Day; the current federally regulated employment guide does not. Neither lists Easter Monday or Civic Holiday. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Remembrance Day are in the federal list, not Ontario’s. This comparison is limited to these lists; the federal guide is a current reference, not a full record of 2024 rules. Use the 2024 agreement calendar (Schedule C, p. 109) for date checks, not nationwide entitlement law.

1. New Year's Day Weekend: 30 December 2023 – 1 January 2024
2. Family Day Long Weekend: 17 Feb – 19 Feb
3. Good Friday and Easter Weekend: 29–31 March; extend through 1 April only if Easter Monday is covered or otherwise arranged as time off.
4. Victoria Day Long Weekend: 18 May – 20 May
5. Canada Day: 29 June – July 1st
6. Civic Holiday: 3 August – 5 August
7. Labour Day Long Weekend: 31 Aug – Sep 2nd
8. Truth and Reconciliation Day: 28 Sep – 30 Sep
9. Thanksgiving Long Weekend: 12 Oct – 14 Oct
10. Remembrance Day Weekend: 9 Nov – 11 Nov
11. Christmas and Boxing Day: Wednesday, 25 Dec and Thursday, 26 Dec; a 25–29 Dec break requires those holidays off plus approved leave for 27 Dec or a suitable schedule arrangement.

Holiday Activity Ideas

Celebrations are optional: choose what suits you, and check local opening times, event availability and weather before making plans.

New Year's Day (January 1)

• Start the year with a nature walk or hike to enjoy the winter scenery or host a New Year’s brunch with friends and family.

Good Friday (March 29)

• Visit a local museum or art gallery, or enjoy a quiet day with a good book.

Easter Monday (April 1)

• Organize an Easter egg hunt for the kids or a spring-themed picnic. 

Victoria Day (May 20)

• Welcome the warmer weather with a camping trip or a garden party and watch some fireworks. 

Canada Day (July 1)

• Celebrate the nation’s birthday with parades, fireworks, and concerts.

Civic Holiday (August 5)

• This midsummer break is perfect for a beach day or a road trip. 

Labour Day (September 2)

• Mark the end of summer with a barbecue or a weekend getaway. 

Thanksgiving (October 14)

• Host a Thanksgiving feast and reflect on what you’re thankful for. 

Christmas Day (December 25)

• Celebrate with family traditions, whether it’s a big dinner, gift exchange, or watching holiday movies together.

Boxing Day (December 26)

• Take advantage of post-Christmas sales or enjoy a quiet day at home.

Whether you planned to get outdoors, take a city break, enjoy a staycation, dive into hobbies, or reconnect with family and friends, the long weekends in 2024 provided opportunities for both relaxation and adventure. By embracing the possibilities each long weekend offers, you can create lasting memories and experiences with your family and friends. Let these 2024 ideas inspire future long weekends, too.