Victoria Day

noun

1. (in Canada) the first Monday preceding May 25, observed as a national holiday.

Victoria Day

noun

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

Example Sentences

Victoria Day is managing director at Ogilvy UK and is watching the situation closely.

From Digiday

More About Victoria Day

What is Victoria Day?

Victoria Day is a Canadian national holiday that was established to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria.

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 2024, Victoria Day will take place on May 20. In 2025, it will take place on May 19.

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?

• Queen Victoria
• holiday
• weekend
• summer
• parade
• monarch
• birthday
• Commonwealth

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.