Northwest Territories holidays 2026
Northwest Territories has 11 public holidays in 2026: 9 statutory holidays and 2 Northwest Territories-specific holidays, plus 2 optional or partial-staffing days. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Statutory holidays observed in Northwest Territories
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday Statutory holiday | — | |
| May 18 | Mon | Victoria Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Jul 1 | Wed | Canada Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labour Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Sep 30 | Wed | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statutory holiday | — | Statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act since 2022 |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Thanksgiving Statutory holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Remembrance Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Statutory holiday | — |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Holidays only in Northwest Territories
Public holidays in Northwest Territories that the rest of Canada does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21 | Sun | National Indigenous Peoples Day Provincial holiday | Mon, Jun 22 | Statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act since 2001 (listed as National Aboriginal Day) |
| Aug 3 | Mon | Civic Holiday Provincial holiday | — | 'First Monday in August' is a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Northwest Territories recognizes in law but where offices stay open with reduced staff, employees may choose the day, or the holiday depends on an annual proclamation.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 6 | Mon | Easter Monday Statutory holiday | — | Government of the NWT employees get the day; not a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Boxing Day Statutory holiday | Mon, Dec 28 | Government of the NWT employees get the day; not a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 21 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — |
Long weekends in Northwest Territories, 2026
What closes
Government offices, courts and most schools close on the public holidays above. Shops usually open with reduced hours, subject to local trading rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Northwest Territories have in 2026?
Northwest Territories has 11 public holidays in 2026: 9 statutory holidays plus 2 Northwest Territories-specific holidays (National Indigenous Peoples Day, Civic Holiday). Another 2 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in Northwest Territories?
The next holiday in Northwest Territories is Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (9 days away).
Are Northwest Territories holidays the same as the rest of Canada?
Mostly. Northwest Territories observes the statutory holidays shared across Canada, plus its own: National Indigenous Peoples Day, Civic Holiday. Other provinces and territories have different regional days, so check the page for the province you need.