Les jours fériés du Québec — repères du calendrier annuel.
1. How many public holidays?
In Quebec:
- 8 provincial public holidays per year
- Plus a few federal public holidays (banks and federal government)
- All employees are entitled to the 8 provincial ones as paid leave
2. The 8 provincial holidays
The 8 provincial holidays:
- January 1 — New Year's Day
- Good Friday or Easter Monday (employer's choice)
- The Monday before May 25 — National Patriots' Day
- June 24 — Quebec National Holiday
- July 1 — Canada Day
- First Monday of September — Labour Day
- Second Monday of October — Thanksgiving
- December 25 — Christmas
3. Quebec National Holiday
June 24 is the most important holiday of Quebec identity:
- Fireworks across Quebec
- Concerts outdoors
- Parades in many cities
- To experience at least once to understand Quebec culture
4. What closes on a holiday?
On a public holiday:
- Closed: government offices, banks, post offices, schools
- Open (reduced hours): grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants
- Completely closed: especially December 25 and January 1
5. Paid time off at work
If a public holiday falls during your work week:
- You're entitled to your normal day's pay without working
- If you work: compensatory day off or additional pay
6. Additional federal holidays
For federal employees and banks (in addition):
- Easter Monday
- Boxing Day (December 26)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — September 30
These days are not mandatory for other Quebec employers.
7. The annual calendar at a glance
Here are the provincial and federal holidays placed on the calendar month by month. The table combines both lists to help you plan vacations, administrative appointments and shopping.
Days marked provincial are mandatory for all Quebec employers; federal days only apply to banks, the federal public service and certain federally-regulated employers.
When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, many employers grant a compensatory day off on the preceding Friday or the following Monday — but it's not automatic. Check your collective agreement or contract.
| Month | Public holiday | Type | Long weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | New Year's Day (1st) | Provincial | Often yes |
| March or April | Good Friday | Federal / employer | Variable |
| March or April | Easter Monday | Federal / employer | Variable |
| May | Patriots' Day | Provincial | Always |
| June | National Holiday (24th) | Provincial | Depending on the year |
| July | Canada Day (1st) | Provincial | Depending on the year |
| September | Labour Day | Provincial | Always |
| September | Truth and Reconciliation (30th) | Federal | Depending on the year |
| October | Thanksgiving | Provincial | Always |
| December | Christmas (25th) | Provincial | Often yes |
| December | Boxing Day (26th) | Federal | Often yes |
Retail, food service and essential services (hospitals, public transit, snow clearing) maintain service, sometimes with reduced hours. The SAQ and SQDC systematically close December 25 and January 1.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from newcomers about Quebec public holidays: what happens if you work on a holiday, does a new employee get paid for it, is December 26 a holiday for everyone, and what to do if a holiday falls during your vacation.
What happens if I work on a public holiday?
Under Quebec's labour standards, your employer must either pay an additional indemnity equivalent to your normal day's salary (on top of the hours actually worked), or grant you a compensatory day off in the three weeks before or after the holiday. The choice belongs to the employer, not the employee.
The amount is calculated as 1/20 of the salary earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday — excluding overtime hours. Always check your pay stub the week of the holiday to confirm the indemnity was applied.
Does a new employee have a right to be paid for a holiday?
Yes, almost always. Quebec's Labour Standards Act does not impose a minimum seniority for the 8 statutory holidays. As soon as you're employed on the date of the holiday and have worked at least one shift since hire, you generally qualify.
Two important exceptions: you must not be absent without authorization the workday immediately before or immediately after the holiday, and certain seasonal contracts may have different rules. Read your contract carefully on hire.
Is December 26 (Boxing Day) a holiday for everyone?
No. Boxing Day is a federal holiday — it's mandatory only for banks, the federal public service and federally-regulated companies (telecoms, airlines, interprovincial transport).
For most Quebec employers (retail, restaurants, private services, the provincial public service), December 26 is a regular workday under the Quebec Labour Standards Act. Many companies do however close voluntarily out of tradition, especially in office work — check with your employer before assuming.
What if a holiday falls during my vacation?
The public holiday is added to your vacation — you don't lose a day.
Concretely: if you're on a 5-day vacation and Labour Day falls on the Monday, you get 5 days of vacation pay plus the holiday indemnity, and your employer must grant you an extra day off (the day before, the day after, or in the following weeks, by mutual agreement). This rule applies to the 8 statutory provincial holidays.
The same logic applies if the holiday falls on a weekly day off — many employers grant a substitute day on the preceding Friday or the following Monday.
9. Official sources
For official information:
10. See also
Related guides that may be useful:
- Surviving the Quebec winter — the winter holidays (Christmas, New Year, Easter) to plan around for long weekends.
- Tipping at restaurants and elsewhere in Quebec — eating out on holidays without surprises on the bill.
- Understanding the Quebec accent — to catch festive conversations, especially around June 24 (National Holiday).
Author's Note: Use public holidays to discover Quebec. June 24 and July 1 are magical. Plan your vacations around long weekends — that's what every Quebecer does.
