About Boxing Day in Canada
Boxing Day falls on 26 December and is one of the ten general holidays under Canada's federal labour standards. It follows Christmas Day, but the two dates are separate entries in the federal calendar.
Place in the federal calendar
The Canada Labour Code explicitly lists Boxing Day as a general holiday for eligible employees of federally regulated employers. Its legal calendar date is 26 December.
The name does not create one required national custom. Shopping, sport, family visits and rest may be associated with the date, but participation and opening hours vary by person and organization.
Weekend and substitution rules
Boxing Day is fixed immediately after Christmas. If 26 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday that is not a normal working day, the Code provides a paid holiday on the scheduled working day immediately before or after it for eligible employees in its scope.
Because Christmas Day is also fixed and adjacent, workplace schedules can require careful coordination. A valid agreement may substitute another day, so this page does not invent one universal observed date.
Planning for 26 December
Retail, transport, attractions and public services choose their own schedules. Some operate reduced hours, some close and others treat the day as a busy trading or travel period.
Verify opening times and reservations directly. Employees should distinguish the federal general-holiday rule from provincial or territorial standards and from any collective agreement or workplace schedule.
Common questions about Boxing Day in Canada
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is fixed on 26 December.
Is Boxing Day a separate federal general holiday from Christmas?
Yes. The Canada Labour Code lists Christmas Day and Boxing Day separately.