Understanding Alberta’s statutory and general holidays is essential, whether you’re an employer navigating holiday pay obligations or an employee planning your time off.
This comprehensive guide serves as your go-to resource for all things related to public holidays in Alberta.
How Many Statutory Holidays Are There in Alberta?
In Alberta, there are 9 officially recognized statutory holidays, they are:
- New Year’s Day
- Alberta Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
These are days when most employees are entitled to a day off with pay.
What are Alberta Statutory Holidays and What Do They Mean for Your Pay?
Statutory holidays, commonly referred to as ‘stat holidays,’ are days designated by the Alberta government as public holidays.
For employees, these days generally translate to paid time off.
To delve deeper into how Alberta statutory pay is calculated and what you’re entitled to, check out our article on how Alberta stat pay works.
Individual Stat Holidays in Alberta
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the calendar year and is celebrated with various traditions, fireworks, and events.
- Occurs on January 1st
- When is New Year’s Day this year?
Alberta Family Day
Alberta Family Day is a day dedicated to spending quality time with family, often celebrated with outdoor activities and family gatherings.
- Occurs on the third Monday in February
- When is Alberta Family Day this year?
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a significant day in the Christian calendar.
- Occurs on the Friday before Easter Sunday
- When is Good Friday this year?
Victoria Day
Victoria Day commemorates Queen Victoria’s birthday and marks the beginning of the summer season in Canada.
- Occurs on the last Monday before May 25th
- When is Victoria Day this year?
Canada Day
Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of the confederation of Canada in 1867.
- Occurs on July 1st
- When is Canada Day this year?
Labour Day
Labour Day honors workers and the labor movement.
- Occurs on the first Monday in September
- When is Labour Day this year?
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a time for giving thanks and sharing a meal with family and friends.
- Occurs on the second Monday in October
- When is Thanksgiving Day this year?
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day honors military veterans and those who have died in military service.
- Occurs on November 11th
- When is Remembrance Day this year?
Christmas Day
Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is widely observed with various traditions and festivities.
- Occurs on December 25th
- When is Christmas Day this year?
Other General Holidays in Alberta
Apart from the statutory holidays, Alberta also recognizes 4 other general holidays that are optional for employers:
Individual General Holidays in Alberta
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated by various Christian denominations.
- Occurs on the day after Easter Sunday
- When is Easter Monday this year?
Heritage Day
Heritage Day celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Alberta and is often marked by festivals and events.
- Occurs on the first Monday in August
- When is Heritage Day this year?
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This day honors the lost Indigenous children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
- Observed on September 30th
- When is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this year?
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is traditionally a day for giving to those less fortunate and is observed the day after Christmas.
- Observed on December 26th
- When is Boxing Day this year?
What happens if a stat falls on a weekend in Alberta?
In Summary
- Alberta recognizes 9 statutory holidays where most employees are entitled to paid time off.
- There are also 4 general holidays that are optional for employers to observe.
- Each holiday has its own unique significance and traditions.
