These are the stat holidays in Ontario for 2026

Stat holidays in Ontario for 2026 are probably one of the first things on your mind as we enter into a brand new year.

With the holiday season now behind us and many slowly easing back into work mode, it's only natural to start looking ahead to the next long weekend or extra day off to sleep in. 

Although most statutory holidays are celebrated across Canada, there are a few notable exceptions that are only observed in Ontario. On the flip side, some days aren't honoured in the province at all, so here's a look at all the statutory holidays that pertain to Ontario in 2026.

• Thursday, Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
• Monday, Feb. 16 - Family Day
• Friday, April 3 - Good Friday
• Monday, April 6 - Easter Monday (optional)
• Monday, May 18 - Victoria Day
• Wednesday, July 1 - Canada Day
• Monday, August 3 - Civic Holiday (optional)
• Monday, Sept. 7 - Labour Day
• Monday, Oct. 12 - Thanksgiving
• Friday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
• Saturday, Dec. 26 - Boxing Day

Unlike other statutory holidays, optional holidays are sometimes observed by businesses, but they're not legally mandated. Your employer might choose to grant you the day off, but if they don't observe it, the day is treated just like any other workday. 

Easter Monday and August's Civic Holiday are recognized as "optional holidays," but many workplaces choose to give their employees the day off. This is especially true for businesses that shut down on days that schools and post offices are closed. 

While Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Remembrance Day) is a federal statutory holiday for federally regulated employees in Canada, it is not a statutory holiday in Ontario. However, some employers might still treat it as an optional holiday and give staff the day off. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation falls on Wednesday, Sept. 30 this year, and while it's not technically a statutory holiday in Ontario, many employers choose to observe the day and give their employees the day off.