Holiday Determination Methods
A holiday is a day in which a government, individuals, or religious groups have deemed the day of special significance. It is a day for commemoration and celebration. Every holiday is either deemed a fixed day or it is considered a moveable holiday in which it varies year by year. Below you will find a list of the main holidays and how to determine when each holiday lands each year:
Holiday Name | Determination Method |
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New Year's Day, U.S & Canada | January 1, Always |
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) | 3rd Monday in January First Celebrated in 1986 |
Chinese/Lunar New Year | Based on Chinese Calendar |
Lincoln's Birthday, U.S | February 12, Always |
Valentine's Day | February 14, Always |
President's Day, U.S (Observed) | 3rd Monday in February |
Family Day, Canada (Alberta) | 3rd Monday in February |
Ash Wednesday | 46 days prior to Easter Sunday |
Orthodox Lent Begins | Based on Orthodox Religion |
Washington's Birthday, U.S | February 22, Always |
St. Patrick's Day | March 17, Always |
Spring Equinox | First Day of Spring, on or near March 21 |
Palm Sunday | 7 days prior to Easter Sunday |
Daylight Savings - Begins, U.S & Canada | 1st Sunday in April From 2007 onwards 2nd Sunday in March |
Jewish Passover Pesach | Based on Jewish Religion and Calendar |
Good Friday (Holiday in Canada) | 2 Days prior to Easter Sunday |
Easter Sunday | First Sunday after First Full Moon after Vernal Equinox |
Easter Monday (Holiday in Canada) | Day after Easter Sunday |
Orthodox Easter Sunday | Based on Orthodox Religion |
Cinco de Mayo | May 5, Always |
Mother's Day | 2nd Sunday in May |
Victoria Day, Canada | Monday prior to May 25 |
Memorial Day, U.S | Last Monday in May |
Flag Day, U.S. | June 14, Always |
Father's Day | 3rd Sunday in June |
Summer Solstice | First day of Summer, on or about June 21 |
St. Jean-Baptiste Day (Quebec) | June 24, Always |
Canada Day, Canada | July 1, Always |
Independence Day, U.S | July 4, Always |
Civic Holiday, Canada | 1st Monday in August |
Labor Day, U.S | 1st Monday in September First Celebrated in 1882 and 1883 On September 5, not the first Monday in September |
Labour Day, Canada | 1st Monday in September |
Grandparent's Day | First Sunday in September after Labor Day |
Fall Equinox | First Day of Fall, on or about September 22 |
Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah | Based on Jewish Religion and Calendar |
Yom Kippur | Based on Jewish Religion and Calendar |
Columbus Day, U.S | 2nd Monday in October |
Thanksgiving Day, Canada | 2nd Monday in October |
Daylight Savings Time Ends, U.S & Canada | Last Sunday in October From 2007 onwards 1st Sunday in November |
Halloween | October 31, Always |
Election Day, U.S | First Tuesday, After First Monday in November in Even Numbered Years |
Veteran's Day, U.S | November 11, Always |
Remembrance Day, Canada (Alberta) | November 11, Always |
Canada's National Child Day | November 20, Always |
Thanksgiving Day, U.S | 4th thursday in November |
Hanukkah | Based on Jewish Religion and Calendar |
Winter Solstice | First day of Winter, On or about December 21 |
Christmas Eve, U.S & Canada | December 24, Always |
Christmas Day, U.S & Canada | December 25, Always |
Boxing Day, Canada | December 26, Always |
New Year's Eve | December 31, Always |
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