Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: August 25, 2026
British Columbia observes 11 statutory holidays in 2026: 11 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend, leaving 250 working days across the year. The working week is Monday to Friday with a Saturday and Sunday weekend, the same as the rest of Canada; what changes is the statutory holiday set.
How British Columbia differs from the federal Canadian holidays
British Columbia follows the federal Canadian holidays and adds two of its own under the Employment Standards Act: Family Day on the third Monday of February and British Columbia Day on the first Monday of August. BC observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (a provincial statutory holiday since 2023) and Remembrance Day, but it does not treat Boxing Day as a statutory holiday, so that federal day is dropped from a BC count. British Columbia grants no automatic substitute weekday when a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, because a substitute needs an employer and employee agreement. Christmas Day 2027, and New Year's Day, Canada Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2028, stay on their Saturday dates and close no weekday. The working week is Monday to Friday with a Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Added in British Columbia (2026)
Family Day (Monday, February 16)
British Columbia Day (Monday, August 3)
Federal days not observed in British Columbia (2026)
Boxing Day (observed) (Monday, December 28)
British Columbia statutory holiday calendar 2026
Date
Day
Statutory holiday
Notes
January 1
Thursday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
February 16
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday February 16 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
April 3
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
May 18
Monday
Victoria Day
Victoria Day on Monday May 18 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
July 1
Wednesday
Canada Day
Canada Day on Wednesday July 1 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
August 3
Monday
British Columbia Day
British Columbia Day on Monday August 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
September 7
Monday
Labour Day
Labour Day on Monday September 7 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
September 30
Wednesday
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday September 30 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
October 12
Monday
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving on Monday October 12 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
November 11
Wednesday
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day on Wednesday November 11 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
December 25
Friday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
2026 summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Statutory holidays on weekdays
11
Working days
250
After subtracting 104 weekend days and 11 weekday-falling statutory holidays, British Columbia has 250 working days in 2026. Deadlines and due dates counted in British Columbia use this provincial calendar, not the federal set.
How many statutory holidays does British Columbia have in 2026?
British Columbia observes 11 statutory holidays in 2026, of which 11 fall on a weekday. The complete list is in the table above.
How does British Columbia differ from the rest of Canada?
British Columbia follows the federal Canadian holidays and adds two of its own under the Employment Standards Act: Family Day on the third Monday of February and British Columbia Day on the first Monday of August. BC observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (a provincial statutory holiday since 2023) and Remembrance Day, but it does not treat Boxing Day as a statutory holiday, so that federal day is dropped from a BC count. British Columbia grants no automatic substitute weekday when a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, because a substitute needs an employer and employee agreement. Christmas Day 2027, and New Year's Day, Canada Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2028, stay on their Saturday dates and close no weekday. The working week is Monday to Friday with a Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Which holidays does British Columbia change in 2026?
British Columbia adds: Family Day (Monday, February 16); British Columbia Day (Monday, August 3). Not observed as a statutory holiday: Boxing Day (observed) (Monday, December 28).
How many working days does British Columbia have in 2026?
British Columbia has 250 working days in 2026, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 11 weekday-falling statutory holidays.