New Year's Day 2026 in Canada

Celebrated on January 1, New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year in the Gregorian calendar. It’s a holiday when Canadians gather to welcome new beginnings with reflection, celebration, and time with loved ones.

Is New Year's Day a Public Holiday?

This is a federal holiday. It may not be observed in all Canadian provinces or territories, but it is a holiday for employees covered by the Canada Labour Code.

Count down to the New Year

When Is New Year’s Day in Canada?

New Year’s Day is celebrated every year on January 1 in Canada. If January 1 falls on a weekend, the statutory holiday is usually on the following Monday. Exact rules can vary by province and territory.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Most government offices, schools, banks, and post offices are closed. Public transit services often operate on a holiday or reduced schedule, and retail store closures vary by province and municipality.

How Canadians Celebrate

Although the holiday falls on January 1, most New Year’s celebrations start the night before on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve, on December 31, is marked by public countdowns, fireworks displays, parties, and family gatherings. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal often host large outdoor events with music and light shows.

On January 1, many Canadians relax at home, enjoy meals with family, or head outdoors for winter activities. Common traditions include:

• New Year’s resolutions: People set personal goals for the year ahead.
• Fireworks and noisemakers: These are used to welcome the new year and bring good luck.
• Polar bear plunges: Brave participants dive into icy waters for charity or tradition in several communities, especially near lakes and coastlines. Polar Bear Plunge Day is also listed among our Fun Holidays.
• Winter outings: Families often take advantage of the holiday to enjoy Canada’s wintry landscape, whether skating, skiing, or hiking together.

A Multicultural Celebration

Canada’s diverse population brings together a mix of customs. Some families incorporate elements from other cultural New Year celebrations, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight (a Spanish tradition) or cooking lentils for prosperity (common in Italian households).

Indigenous peoples across Canada also have seasonal and spiritual celebrations that align with the winter solstice or other natural events. These observances are distinct from the Gregorian New Year and reflect deep, centuries-old cultural traditions and connections to the land.

How January 1 Became New Year’s Day

The celebration of New Year’s dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians, who marked the beginning of the year with spring festivals.

In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, establishing January 1 as the start of the year in honor of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII reformed the calendar to correct inaccuracies, creating today’s Gregorian calendar. The British Empire, along with its North American colonies, which are now known as Canada and the United States, adopted it in 1752, aligning its New Year’s traditions with those of many Western nations.

About New Year's Day in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.