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Whit Monday 2024 in Canada

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, on the day after Pentecost, which is also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. This period commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, as told in the Christian Bible.

Is Whit Monday a Public Holiday?

Although Whit Monday is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as National Patriots' Day in 2024, which is a public holiday in Quebec.

Holy Cross with Dove of Peace

The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit.

©iStockphoto.com/Christopher Pollack

What Do People Do?

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday and Whit Sunday (or Pentecost) period by remembering the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' disciples and the events that followed, which are told in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Church events that observe Whit Monday may include evening services and bible group meetings. Sunday schools may also have special lessons that teach children about the origins and the meaning of Whit Monday and Pentecost. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.

Public Life

Whit Monday is not a federal public holiday in Canada so most aspects of public life do not differ to any other Monday.

Background

Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter, according to Christian belief. Many Christians see this as the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

In some Orthodox churches, Whit Monday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches.

Symbols

The symbols of the Pentecost period are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

About Whit Monday in Other Countries

Read more about Whit Monday.

Whit Monday Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2019MonJun 10Whit MondayChristian
2020MonJun 1Whit MondayChristian
2021MonMay 24Whit MondayChristian
2022MonJun 6Whit MondayChristian
2023MonMay 29Whit MondayChristian
2024MonMay 20Whit MondayChristian
2025MonJun 9Whit MondayChristian
2026MonMay 25Whit MondayChristian
2027MonMay 17Whit MondayChristian
2028MonJun 5Whit MondayChristian
2029MonMay 21Whit MondayChristian

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.