Northwest Territories holidays 2027

Northwest Territories has 11 public holidays in 2027: 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.

Per Canada and Northwest Territories legislation.

Statutory holidays observed in Northwest Territories

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Jan 1FriNew Year's Day Statutory holiday—
Mar 26FriGood Friday Statutory holiday—
May 24MonVictoria Day Statutory holiday—
Jul 1ThuCanada Day Statutory holiday—
Sep 6MonLabour Day Statutory holiday—
Sep 30ThuNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statutory holiday—Statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act since 2022
Oct 11MonThanksgiving Statutory holiday—
Nov 11ThuRemembrance Day Statutory holiday—
Dec 25SatChristmas Day Statutory holidayMon, Dec 27

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.

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Jun 21MonNational Indigenous Peoples Day Provincial holiday—Statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act since 2001 (listed as National Aboriginal Day)
Aug 2MonCivic 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.

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Mar 29MonEaster Monday Statutory holiday—Government of the NWT employees get the day; not a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act
Dec 26SunBoxing Day Statutory holidayTue, Dec 28Government of the NWT employees get the day; not a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act

Observances (not days off)

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Feb 14SunValentine's Day Observance—
Mar 28SunEaster Sunday Observance—
May 9SunMother's Day Observance—
Jun 20SunFather's Day Observance—
Oct 31SunHalloween Observance—

Long weekends in Northwest Territories, 2027

3-day weekend Fri, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 3
New Year's Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Mar 26 – Sun, Mar 28
Good Friday (Friday)
Add Thursday, Mar 25 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, May 22 – Mon, May 24
Victoria Day (Monday)
Add Tuesday, May 25 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Jun 19 – Mon, Jun 21
National Indigenous Peoples Day (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Jun 22 for a 4-day break.
Bridge opportunity Thu, Jul 1
Canada Day (Thursday)
Take Friday, Jul 2 off for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Jul 31 – Mon, Aug 2
Civic Holiday (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Aug 3 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Sep 4 – Mon, Sep 6
Labour Day (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Sep 7 for a 4-day break.
Bridge opportunity Thu, Sep 30
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Thursday)
Take Friday, Oct 1 off for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Oct 9 – Mon, Oct 11
Thanksgiving (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Oct 12 for a 4-day break.
Bridge opportunity Thu, Nov 11
Remembrance Day (Thursday)
Take Friday, Nov 12 off for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Dec 25 – Mon, Dec 27
Christmas Day (Monday, observed)
Add Tuesday, Dec 28 for a 4-day break.

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 2027?

Northwest Territories has 11 public holidays in 2027: 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 New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027 (60 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.

Other provinces and territories