Heritage Day in the Yukon in Canada

Many people in the Yukon, Canada, celebrate the territory’s Heritage Day on the last Friday of February every year.

The Yukon's Heritage Day is held in the territory every year.

©iStockphoto.com/Michael Braun

What do people do?

Many people in the Yukon have a day off work or school. People in the territory can join in an annual winter celebration known as the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, which is usually held in Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital. There are many activities associated with the winter festival. These include (but are not exclusive to):

• A queen contest.
• An air show.
• Various outdoor activities.
• Dog races.
• Snow sculptures.
• A fiddle contest
• Performances by cancan dancers, and much more.

Educational institutions and museums across the Yukon mark the territory’s Heritage Day in their calendars. Various competitions, including writing or drawing contests, may be held in the territory on or around this time of the year to coincide with the Yukon’s Heritage Day. Some communities in the Yukon may hold special celebrations to celebrate their heritage.

Public Life

Heritage Day in the Yukon is a day off for Yukon government employees on the last Friday of February. Schools are also closed. Businesses have the option to give their employees the day or a portion of the day off from work.

Background

Heritage Day in the Yukon has been in place for Yukon government employees, teachers and students since it was included in the Collective Agreement in April 1975, which led to the first holiday in February 1976. This holiday normally falls on the last Friday of February to coincide with an annual winter festival known as the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.

Heritage Day in the Yukon is not to be confused with Alberta’s Heritage Day, which is annually held on the first Monday of August. Moreover, the Heritage Canada Foundation promotes the third Monday of February as National Heritage Day. The foundation has long advocated adopting this date as a national holiday in Canada.

Symbols

Heritage Day in the Yukon usually coincides with the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, which is an annual event that is based with an overall theme of the 1890s. It not only celebrates the Klondike Gold Rush, but all that is Yukon.

Heritage Day in the Yukon Observances

Related holiday

• Heritage Day in Alberta ―Monday, August 5, 2013

Other holidays in February 2013 in Canada

• Groundhog Day ―Saturday, February 2, 2013
• Chinese New Year ―Sunday, February 10, 2013
• Family Day ―Monday, February 11, 2013
• Carnival/Shrove Tuesday ―Tuesday, February 12, 2013
• Ash Wednesday ―Wednesday, February 13, 2013
• Valentine's Day ―Thursday, February 14, 2013
• National Flag of Canada Day ―Friday, February 15, 2013
• Family Day ―Monday, February 18, 2013
• Islander Day ―Monday, February 18, 2013
• Louis Riel Day ―Monday, February 18, 2013
• Purim ―Sunday, February 24, 2013