Boxing Day
Regional public holiday in Canada
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 December | Saturday | Regional |
| 2026 | 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (observed) Observed day off for Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec) |
| 2027 | 26 December | Sunday | Regional |
| 2027 | 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (observed) Observed day off for Boxing Day (Sun 26 Dec) |
Observed days are days off given instead of, or as well as, the holiday's own date, for example when it falls on a weekend or the law moves it to a Monday.
Where it applies
Ontario.
Is it a day off?
Only where it applies (see above). Elsewhere in Canada it is a normal working day, and it is not counted in the long weekends on this site.
Typical weather in Ottawa around 26 December: high -3°C (27°F), low -11°C (12°F), rain on 44% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Ottawa. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Saturday 26 December in Ottawa: (MET Norway)
About Boxing Day
Boxing Day falls on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day, and is a public holiday in a number of countries. Its name is commonly traced to the old custom of giving gifts or money, known as Christmas boxes, to servants, tradespeople and others who had provided services during the year. The same date is also the feast of Saint Stephen in many Christian churches.
Traditions
The day is generally a continuation of the Christmas holiday, spent visiting relatives and friends, eating leftovers from the Christmas meal and relaxing. In some countries it is associated with sporting fixtures and with post-Christmas sales.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Canada
Friday, 1 January 2027
More for Canada
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.