Victoria Day

In Canada, Victoria Day is a federal statutory holiday, meaning it is a day off for many Canadians, resulting in a three-day weekend. Victoria Day and Victoria Day weekend are traditionally considered the unofficial start of summer in Canada (much like Memorial Day is in the US).

Victoria Day is often celebrated with parades and fireworks.

Although it was established to commemorate Queen Victoria’s birthday, Victoria Day is now observed in celebration of the current British monarch’s birthday. That’s because Canada was once a British territory and is still part of the Commonwealth of Nations, which means the British monarch is, at least in a ceremonial sense, the monarch of Canada.

When is Victoria Day?

Victoria Day is always the Monday before May 25. In 2022, Victoria Day will take place on May 23. In 2023, it will take place on May 22.

More information and context on Victoria Day

Victoria Day has been celebrated since 1845, eight years after Queen Victoria became queen of Great Britain and its territories (she ruled from 1837–1901). It became an official federal holiday in Canada in 1901, the year of her death. At that time, it was celebrated on her birthday, May 24. However, in 1952, Victoria Day was changed to the Monday preceding May 25.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Victoria Day?

How is Victoria Day discussed in real life?

In Canada, Victoria Day is popularly considered the unofficial start of summer.

Hope everyone is having a great Victoria Day, Canada’s unofficial beginning of summer, & official birthday of the Queen.

Cheers to Victoria, who presided over Confederation, & her descendant Elizabeth, whose 93rd birthday we celebrate today!

(The window below is in the Senate) pic.twitter.com/DPdpGoMCXq

— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) May 20, 2019

Happy 95th Birthday to the Queen of Canada! 🇨🇦

Confused? Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926 but in Canada, our King or Queen’s official birthday is always celebrated as a national holiday, on Victoria Day in May. #cdnpoli #cdnhist #cdncrown pic.twitter.com/mfdEKkV2mT

— Canadian Crown 🇨🇦 (@Canadian_Crown) April 21, 2021

Some of the rock stars from the Reynolds Marching Band after the Victoria Day Parade. Awesome job guys! #yyj #victoriabc #victoriadayparade @reynolds_high pic.twitter.com/LEzK2z3ZyF

— Melanie Z Kilpatrick (@MelanieZ_FM) May 21, 2018

Try using Victoria Day!

True or False?

Victoria Day always falls on a Monday.

How to use Victoria Day in a sentence

Victoria Day is managing director at Ogilvy UK and is watching the situation closely.
Hybrid-working headaches: Letting employees pick their in-office days could foster ‘culture of cliques’|Jessica Davies|August 24, 2021|Digiday
He added: “People say he deserves his day in court… Do we have enough time?”
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For many years afterward it was a never-ending topic of conversation, and is more or less talked of even to this day.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We talked about the science the whole time the other day,” Krauss told The Daily Beast in a phone interview.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the middle of all of that past suffering and present-day conflict, this Cosby bomb was dropped.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The afternoon was a lovely one—the day was a perfect example of the mellowest mood of autumn.
Confidence|Henry James
Edna did not reveal so much as all this to Madame Ratignolle that summer day when they sat with faces turned to the sea.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Each day she resolved, "To-morrow I will tell Felipe;" and when to-morrow came, she put it off again.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
There are three things a wise man will not trust: the wind, the sunshine of an April day, and woman's plighted faith.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
The proceedings of the day commenced with divine service, performed by Unitarian and Baptist ministers.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Victoria Day

Victoria Day

noun

the Monday preceding May 24: observed in Canada as a national holiday in commemoration of the birthday of Queen Victoria

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012