Nova Scotia holidays 2026
Nova Scotia has 7 public holidays in 2026: 6 statutory holidays and 1 Nova Scotia-specific holiday, plus 5 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 Nova Scotia
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday Statutory holiday | — | |
| Jul 1 | Wed | Canada Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labour Day Statutory holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Remembrance Day Statutory holiday | — | Governed by the Remembrance Day Act rather than the Labour Standards Code; most businesses must close and employees who work get another paid day off |
| 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 Nova Scotia
Public holidays in Nova Scotia that the rest of Canada does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16 | Mon | Nova Scotia Heritage Day Provincial holiday | — | Paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code; each year honours a different Nova Scotian person or event |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Nova Scotia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | Mon | Victoria Day Statutory holiday | — | Commonly recognized but not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code; provincial offices close |
| Aug 3 | Mon | Natal Day Provincial holiday | — | Commonly recognized (esp. Halifax Regional Municipality) but not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code; provincial government offices close |
| Sep 30 | Wed | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statutory holiday | — | Provincial government offices and schools close; not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Thanksgiving Statutory holiday | — | Designated retail closing day; not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Boxing Day Statutory holiday | Mon, Dec 28 | Designated retail closing day; not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Observance | — | |
| Apr 6 | Mon | Easter Monday Statutory holiday | — | Commonly recognized but not a paid holiday under the Labour Standards Code |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 21 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 21 | Sun | National Indigenous Peoples Day Provincial holiday | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — |
Long weekends in Nova Scotia, 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 Nova Scotia have in 2026?
Nova Scotia has 7 public holidays in 2026: 6 statutory holidays plus 1 Nova Scotia-specific holiday (Nova Scotia Heritage Day). Another 5 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in Nova Scotia?
The next holiday in Nova Scotia is Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (9 days away).
Are Nova Scotia holidays the same as the rest of Canada?
Mostly. Nova Scotia observes the statutory holidays shared across Canada, plus its own: Nova Scotia Heritage Day. Other provinces and territories have different regional days, so check the page for the province you need.