Ontario has nine public holidays under the Employment Standards Act, and in 2027 they range from Friday, January 1 to Sunday, December 26. Several fall on Mondays or Fridays, creating long weekends, while Christmas and Boxing Day both land on a weekend. Here is the full list with dates, plus what you need to know about holiday pay.

Quick answer: Ontario’s 2027 public holidays are New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Family Day (Feb 15), Good Friday (Mar 26), Victoria Day (May 24), Canada Day (Jul 1), Labour Day (Sep 6), Thanksgiving (Oct 11), Christmas Day (Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26).

This is general information. For your specific job, check your employment contract or the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

Ontario public holidays 2027

Holidays that are not public holidays in Ontario

Some days that many people get off are not on the Employment Standards Act list:

• Civic Holiday (Monday, August 2, 2027): widely observed and called Simcoe Day in Toronto, but employers are not required to give it as a paid holiday.
• Easter Monday (March 29, 2027): common for government and some unionised workers, but not a public holiday under provincial law.
• Remembrance Day (Thursday, November 11, 2027): not a statutory holiday in Ontario. Our guide on Remembrance Day in Toronto explains why.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Thursday, September 30, 2027): a federal statutory holiday for federally regulated workplaces, but not a provincial public holiday.

Long weekends in 2027

• New Year’s: Friday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3.
• Family Day: Saturday, February 13 to Monday, February 15.
• Easter: Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28 (or Monday for those who get Easter Monday).
• Victoria Day: Saturday, May 22 to Monday, May 24.
• Civic Holiday: Saturday, July 31 to Monday, August 2 (if your employer gives it).
• Labour Day: Saturday, September 4 to Monday, September 6.
• Thanksgiving: Saturday, October 9 to Monday, October 11.

Canada Day falls on a Thursday, so many people take Friday, July 2 off to make a four-day weekend. Looking for ideas? See our best day trips from Toronto.

What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend

In 2027, Christmas Day lands on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday. Under Ontario’s rules, if a public holiday falls on a day that is not normally a working day for you, your employer must generally either give you a substitute day off with public holiday pay or, with your written agreement, pay you public holiday pay for the day. Many employers designate Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28 as substitute days, but this is set by each employer.

Public holiday pay basics

Most employees in Ontario covered by the Employment Standards Act are entitled to the day off with public holiday pay. Public holiday pay is generally calculated as the regular wages and vacation pay earned in the four work weeks before the holiday, divided by 20. If you work on the holiday, you are usually entitled to one of these:

• Your regular rate for hours worked plus a substitute day off with public holiday pay.
• Premium pay of at least 1.5 times your regular rate for hours worked, plus public holiday pay, if you agree in writing.

Some industries, such as hospitals, continuous operations and some retail, have special rules. For the general minimum wage that applies to these calculations, see our Ontario minimum wage 2026 guide.

Planning checklist for 2027

1. Add the nine public holidays to your work and family calendar.
2. Ask your employer whether Civic Holiday and Easter Monday are paid days off.
3. Check substitute days for Christmas and Boxing Day 2027.
4. Book travel early for Victoria Day, Canada Day and Thanksgiving long weekends.
5. Plan for closures: banks, government offices and many stores close on public holidays.
6. Check GO Transit and TTC holiday schedules before travelling; our GO Transit guide explains how service changes.

FAQ

How many stat holidays does Ontario have in 2027?

Nine public holidays under the Employment Standards Act.

Is Civic Holiday a stat holiday in Ontario?

No. It is widely observed but not a statutory public holiday under provincial law.

When is Family Day 2027 in Ontario?

Monday, February 15, 2027.

Are stores open on Ontario stat holidays?

Many retail stores must close on public holidays under Ontario’s Retail Business Holidays Act, but there are exceptions, including some tourist areas and small stores.

Conclusion

2027 offers several long weekends in Ontario, with Christmas and Boxing Day falling on a weekend. Check your employer’s policy on substitute days and non-statutory holidays, and plan your time off early.