| Holidays and Special Days
Celebrated in British Columbia,Canada
There are many days in a year when special events and celebrations happen. Sometimes these days mean schools are closed and sometimes shopping malls and work places. Sometimes it is just a fun day when different things happen and people do unusual things.
A Statuary Holiday is a holiday when schools and many businesses are closed. This includes all government offices and many stores and other businesses. Sometimes even shopping malls are closed!
Please scroll down to read about celebrations traditional to Canada. This list DOES NOT INCLUDE the many, many celebrations the many cultures living in Canada celebrate; such as Asian New year and Persian New Year Norooz and Jewish Chanakkah.This link will take you to a multicultural calendar of events around the world: http://www.graybridgemalkam.com/en/15.0.asp?m=6
September
Labour Day - first Monday in September
September has one holiday called Labour day. It is the first Monday of September every year. It is a day off for many people. This is a Statuary holiday.
Labour day originated
The first Day of Fall/Autumn - September 21
October
October has 2 major events for Canadians. Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving
Sometimes it can be confusing, because the United States has their thanksgiving
in November, and you will see this in American television shows and
news.
Halloween October 31
November
Remembrance Day - November 11
This is a sad day to remember Canadian soldiers who have fought and died in wars past and present.
December
Winter Solstice - December 21 the first official day of Winter.
Christmas December 25
Boxing Day December 26
New Year's Eve December 31
Christmas is an exciting time of
year for Canadians, young and old. All across Canada schools are
usually closed for 2 weeks. This gives time to be with family and
visit, and also a time to have fun and a little break from studies.
Also, we celebrate New Year with parties on December 31st. New year's day is January 1st, and this day will be the first day of the new year.
What is Christmas?
Christmas is always on December 25th. In Canada and has two sides to it.
- One side is the fun and celebrating of gifts, Santa, lights, decorated trees, special foods and parties.
- However, traditionally Christmas is a Christian religious
holiday, celebrating the birth of the Christian deity, Jesus Christ.
It is important to know that anyone can have a tree, put lights up on their homes, exchange gifts, believe in Santa Claus and eat all the wonderful food!
Christian believers will go to church and worship during this time as well.
Symbols you will see in December for Christmas
 |
Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is one of the most popular and common Christmas symbols you will see in Canada.
People
can have a real tree and place it in water in a special tree stand, or
use an artificial tree that can be re-used each year.
Traditionally real candles were on the tree for decoration. For clear safely reasons we now use electric lights!
|
Stocking
 |
Christmas Stocking
Yes, it is a big sock but we call it a stocking.
The tradition is to leave the stocking hanging by hte fireplace for Santa Claus to leave presents in.
Long
ago people left socks to dry by the fire, this is why we leave it in a
fireplace mantle. If people do not have a mantle, they can hang it on a
window sill or a shelf.
|
Candles
What is New Year's in Canada?
January
New Year's Day
February
Valentine's Day - February 14
Valentine's is a special and fun celebration day in Canada and across North America. It is every year on February 14.
It
originated in Rome, Italy around the year 300 AD. There was a real
man, a saint named St. Valentine. Claudius, the emperor of Rome at the
time did not allow marriage because he felt being married made men weak
soldiers. St. Valentine was helping soldiers to get married in secret.
He was eventually caught by Claudius and put into jail. He continued to
spread love by sending and he received many letters in jail. He was
executed on February 14 by Claudius.
 |
Saint Valentine.
|
 |
One of the most popular symbols we see everywhere in February is the heart!
The heart means love.
|
 |
We
will also see a lot of little cupids shooting "love" arrows! The story
is if you get hit with a Cupid's arrow, you will fall in love with
someone. Cupids are usually chubby babies with little wings. Cupids
sometimes like to play tricks on people. |
 |
Children and adults
will send cards to friends, family and special people they care about.
Some classrooms have Valentine's parties and if someone wants to hand
out cards, they have to bring a card for each student. Also, some
people give 'secret' cards to people they like...! If you get a secret
card you have a "secret admirer"! |
 |
Chocolate chocolate
everywhere! Many people give and receive chocolates. You can give
chocolate to friends, family or someone special in you heart! Sometimes
chocolates and other gifts are given in secret - so the person does not
know who sent it to them! If you get a secret gift you have a "secret
admirer"! |
March
The First Day of Spring
March 21 is the first day of spring.
Spring Break
You will notice many things when Spring arrives!
It is traditional in Canada to have a week off in March to rest and spend time with family. This means no school for students!
Changing the clock
Some things we do in the beginning of spring are turn our clocks ahead. This is called Daylight savings time. It makes our days seem longer because it is lighter until a later time! It is a slightly different date each year.
Colour, colour everywhere!
You will see many blossoms and flowers here in Vancouver. Many trees that grow here have beautiful blossoms. Blossoms are flowers that come before leaves. You will also see a lot of "buds". Buds are the start of a blossom or a flower, a 'baby' flower!
Vancouver also has a Cherry Blossom Festival during March and April. there are many free events! Check out their website:
http://www.vancouvercherryblossomfestival.com/
Tulips are a popular flower in British Columbia. You can but them at almost any food or flower store! They are not expensive.
Canada Geese
In the spring when the weather gets warmer, Canada Geese return to our country after living in wrmer southern places during our cold winters. They are easy to see, as they 'honk' loudly and fly in a "V" shape!
Baby Animals
This time of year many animals have babies as well. We see a lot of puppies in spring! Also, rabbits are popular because of Easter.
April
May
May Long Weekend - Victoria Day. This is a statutory holiday, and is a slightly different date each year, somewhere close to the 24th.
June
Summer Solstice - The first Day of summer and the longest daylight of the year
July
Canada Day - July 1 - This is a statutory holiday.
August
BC Day This is a statutory holiday in the beginning of August. Most provinces in Canada have a holiday on this day, celebrating their heritage with parades and other activities.
|