Public Holiday Ontario Calculator

This calculator helps you determine the dates of public holidays in Ontario for any given year. Whether you need to plan a vacation, schedule business operations, or simply stay informed about provincial holidays, this tool provides accurate and up-to-date information.

How to Use This Calculator

Using the calculator is simple:

Select the year you want to calculate holidays for from the dropdown menu.
Click the "Calculate" button to generate the list of public holidays.
Review the results, which will display both fixed and floating holidays.
Use the "Reset" button to clear the results and start over.

The calculator will show you the exact dates of all public holidays in Ontario for the selected year, including both fixed-date holidays and those that change based on the date of Easter Sunday.

Fixed Public Holidays in Ontario

Ontario observes several public holidays that occur on fixed dates each year. These holidays are:

New Year's Day - January 1
Family Day - Third Monday in February
Good Friday - Friday before Easter Sunday
Victoria Day - Monday before May 25
Canada Day - July 1
Labour Day - First Monday in September
Thanksgiving - Second Monday in October
Remembrance Day - November 11
Christmas Day - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26

These holidays are observed across Ontario, with some exceptions for certain communities.

Floating Public Holidays in Ontario

Some public holidays in Ontario have dates that change each year based on the date of Easter Sunday. These holidays include:

Good Friday - The Friday before Easter Sunday
Easter Monday - The Monday after Easter Sunday

The dates for these holidays are calculated using the Western Christian algorithm for determining Easter Sunday.

How These Dates Are Calculated

The dates for public holidays in Ontario are determined using a combination of fixed dates and algorithms for floating holidays. Here's how the calculations work:

Fixed Holidays

Fixed holidays occur on the same date each year. For example:

New Year's Day is always January 1
Canada Day is always July 1
Remembrance Day is always November 11

Floating Holidays

Floating holidays are calculated based on the date of Easter Sunday. The algorithm for determining Easter Sunday is as follows:

Calculate the Golden Number (G): (Year % 19) + 1
Calculate the Epact (E): (11 × G - 4) % 30
Calculate the Moon's Age (M): (Year % 4) × 2 + (Year % 7) × 4 + (E × 5) % 30
Calculate the Base Date (B): March 22 + (29 - M)
Adjust for the date falling on Sunday or Monday

Once Easter Sunday is determined, Good Friday is the preceding Friday and Easter Monday is the following Monday.

Other Floating Holidays

Some holidays are based on other calculations:

Family Day is the third Monday in February
Victoria Day is the Monday before May 25
Labour Day is the first Monday in September
Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October

Formula for Easter Sunday

The algorithm for calculating Easter Sunday is complex but ensures the date aligns with the lunar calendar. The calculator uses this algorithm to determine the exact date of Easter Sunday for any given year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the public holidays in Ontario?

Ontario observes ten public holidays each year, including fixed-date holidays like New Year's Day and Canada Day, as well as floating holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday.

How are floating holidays calculated?

Floating holidays are calculated based on the date of Easter Sunday, which is determined using a complex algorithm that aligns with the lunar calendar.

Are all public holidays observed across Ontario?

Yes, all public holidays are observed across Ontario, with some exceptions for certain communities.

Can I use this calculator for future years?

Yes, you can use this calculator to determine public holiday dates for any year, including future years.

Are there any exceptions to public holidays in Ontario?

Some communities may observe public holidays on different dates or not at all, but the calculator provides the standard dates observed across Ontario.