Ontario’s celebrations and commemorations
Learn the days, weeks and months recognized by the government to celebrate our diversity and commemorate our history.
Canada Day – July 1
July 1 is Canada Day. Ontario celebrates this holiday at Queen’s Park with fun activities for families and people of all ages.
Remembrance Week – November 5–11
On Remembrance Day (November 11) and during Remembrance Week (November 5 to 11), we pay tribute to the men and women of all backgrounds who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.
Other special days, weeks and months:
January
- Tamil Heritage Month
- Lincoln Alexander Day – January 21
February
- Black History Month
- Family Day – third Monday in February
April
- Sikh Heritage Month
- Pope John Paul II Day – April 2
- Vimy Ridge Day – April 9
- Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom ha-Shoah – April/May (determined by the Jewish lunar calendar)
May
June
- Filipino Heritage Month
- Italian Heritage Month
- Portuguese History and Heritage Month
- Ontario Day – June 1
- Portugal Day – June 10
- United Empire Loyalists’ Day – June 19
- Somali Heritage Week – June 25–July 1
August
- Emancipation Month
- Emancipation Day – August 1
September
- Ukrainian Heritage Day – September 7
- Provincial Day of Service – September 11
- Franco-Ontarian Day – September 25
October
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Hungarian Heritage Month
- Islamic Heritage Month
- Korean Heritage Month
- German Pioneers Day – the day following Thanksgiving Day
- Major-General Sir Isaac Brock Day – October 13
November
- Albanian Heritage Month
- Hindu Heritage Month
- Lebanese Heritage Month
- Holodomor Memorial Day – fourth Saturday in November
- Trans Day of Remembrance – November 20
- Scottish Heritage Day – November 30
Updated: October 13, 2023
Published: April 21, 2017