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Victoria Day
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A dancer performs in colorful attire during the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on May 19, 2025. Queen Victoria in formal dress and crown, wearing a sash, jewelry, and a long veil, posed with one hand resting on a table, circa 1890.
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A dancer performs in colorful attire during the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on May 19, 2025.
Victoria Day A dancer performing during the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on May 19, 2025.

Victoria Day

Canadian holiday
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History
Top Questions

What is Victoria Day celebrated for?

Which British monarchs’ birthdays were celebrated on Victoria Day?

When was Victoria Day first declared a holiday in Canada?

Victoria Day, Canadian holiday observed annually on the Monday preceding May 25. Originally, this day was celebrated as the British sovereign Queen Victoria’s birthday. However, following a 2023 proclamation, the holiday was redefined to honor and celebrate the birthdays of all British monarchs.

Origin and evolution of the holiday

Queen Victoria
Queen VictoriaVictoria Day is celebrated in Canada in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday.

In 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria, May 24, the queen’s birthday, was declared a holiday in Canada. After Victoria’s death in 1901, an act of the Canadian Parliament established Victoria Day as a legal holiday to be celebrated on May 24 or on May 25 when May 24 fell on a Sunday. The birthday of Victoria’s son, Edward VII (born November 9), was also celebrated on Victoria Day, following an intermittent British custom of celebrating a sovereign’s birthday on that of his predecessor. This custom was not observed in Canada for the birthdays of George V (reigned 1910–36) or Edward VIII (reigned 1936), when the actual day was celebrated, or for that of George VI, whose birthday was celebrated in June though he was born on December 14. In 1952 the first birthday of Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign was celebrated in June (she was born on April 21).

Canada has continued to celebrate Victoria Day. The date of celebration, however, was officially moved to the Monday preceding May 25 in 1952; thereafter Elizabeth’s birthday was celebrated on Victoria Day, a custom made permanent in 1957.

Traditions and celebrations

On Victoria Day, the Union Jack flag is hoisted alongside the Canadian national flag on many buildings of national importance from sunrise to sunset. Across Canada, this day is marked by parades, fireworks, and marching bands. In many places, people take part in outdoor activities such as garden parties, backyard barbecues, and camping trips. Victoria Day is also considered the unofficial start of summer.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Tamanna Nangia.