Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday and New Year's Day 2027 a Friday. The question in Canada is Boxing Day: it is a holiday for some workers and not for others, and in 2026 it falls on a Saturday.
Book off: Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
Every option, from 1 to 8 vacation days
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Thu 24 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 2 | 5 | Wed 23 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Wed 23 and Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 3 | 6 | Tue 22 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Tue 22, Wed 23 and Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 4 | 10 | Fri 25 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 5 | 11 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 6 | 12 | Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 7 | 13 | Tue 22 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 8 | 16 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
Canada, Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027.
With more vacation, book 8 days off (Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 16 days off in a row (Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027).
Boxing Day in 2026
Boxing Day is a general holiday under the Canada Labour Code for federally regulated employers, and a public holiday in Ontario. It is not a holiday everywhere, so check your province.
When a public holiday falls on a day you would not normally work, Ontario gives you either a substitute day off with holiday pay, or holiday pay for the day if you agree to that in writing (Ontario Employment Standards: public holidays). If your substitute day is Monday 28 December, you need one vacation day less than the table shows.
Booking vacation at Christmas
- Your employer schedules vacation. In Ontario, for example, the employer has the right to schedule vacation and must make sure it is taken within 10 months of the year you earned it (Ontario: vacation). Ask early if you want this week.
- Holiday during vacation. In Ontario, a public holiday that falls during your vacation stays a vacation day, but you get a substitute day off or holiday pay, so you do not lose it.
Christmas 2027: a look ahead
Christmas Day and New Year's Day 2028 fall on a Saturday. How that moves to a weekday depends on your province and employer, so the table uses the dates as they are:
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Fri 17 Dec – Sun 19 Dec 2027 | Fri 17 Dec 2027 |
| 2 | 4 | Thu 16 Dec – Sun 19 Dec 2027 | Thu 16 and Fri 17 Dec 2027 |
| 3 | 5 | Wed 15 Dec – Sun 19 Dec 2027 | Wed 15, Thu 16 and Fri 17 Dec 2027 |
| 4 | 6 | Wed 15 Dec – Mon 20 Dec 2027 | Wed 15, Thu 16, Fri 17 and Mon 20 Dec 2027 |
| 5 | 9 | Sat 18 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23 and Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
| 6 | 10 | Fri 17 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Fri 17, Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23 and Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
| 7 | 11 | Thu 16 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Thu 16, Fri 17, Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23 and Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
| 8 | 12 | Wed 15 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Wed 15, Thu 16, Fri 17, Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23 and Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
Canada, Christmas 2027 and New Year 2028.
Frequently asked questions
How many vacation days do I need for Christmas 2026 in Canada?
The best value is to book 4 days off (Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 10 days off in a row. If you get Boxing Day or a substitute day, you may need one less.
Is Boxing Day a statutory holiday in Canada?
For federally regulated workers and in Ontario, yes. In most other provinces it is not a statutory holiday, although many employers give it.
Is Christmas Eve a holiday?
No. It is a normal working day, but many employers close early.
Open the Canada plannerBest days to take off in 2026 (Canada)
How we work it out. Every date and number here comes from our holiday data, checked against official government sources (see About). Always confirm days off with your employer.