Nova Scotia statutory holidays 2026
Nova Scotia has 6 statutory holidays in 2026 under its Labour Standards Code. Here’s every paid day off, the optional days some employers give, and every long weekend.
79 days untilChristmas Day
Friday, December 25, 2026 · long weekend
Paid days off in Nova Scotia
Most employees get these days off with holiday pay. Dates are the official holiday; when one falls on a weekend you usually get the next working day off.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Nova Scotia Heritage Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Mon, Feb 15 |
| Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3 | Fri, Mar 26 |
| Canada Day | Wed, Jul 1 | Thu, Jul 1 |
| Labour Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Mon, Sep 6 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Sat, Dec 25observed Mon, Dec 27 |
Optional and commonly observed days
Not statutory in Nova Scotia. Whether you get these off depends on your employer or collective agreement.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Monday | Mon, Apr 6 | Mon, Mar 29 |
| Victoria Day | Mon, May 18 | Mon, May 24 |
| Natal Day | Mon, Aug 3 | Mon, Aug 2 |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Wed, Sep 30 | Thu, Sep 30 |
| Thanksgiving | Mon, Oct 12 | Mon, Oct 11 |
| Remembrance Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Thu, Nov 11 |
| Boxing Day | Sat, Dec 26 | Sun, Dec 26 |
Long weekends in Nova Scotia in 2026
7 long weekends from statutory and commonly observed holidays.
The rules in Nova Scotia
When a holiday falls on a weekend: If a holiday falls on a day you don’t normally work, you’re generally owed a substitute paid day off, usually your next working day.
- Nova Scotia has six paid holidays, the fewest in Canada with Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Remembrance Day falls under the Remembrance Day Act, not the Labour Standards Code.
- Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Boxing Day are retail closing days, not paid holidays.
Source: Government of Nova Scotia — Labour Standards Code. This page is a guide; your employment contract or collective agreement may give you more.
Frequently asked
How many statutory holidays does Nova Scotia have in 2026?
6: New Year's Day, Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day.
Is Remembrance Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Remembrance Day is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia, but some employers give it off.
Is Boxing Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia, but some employers give it off.
Is Easter Monday a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia, but some employers give it off.
Is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia, but some employers give it off.
What happens if a stat holiday falls on a weekend in Nova Scotia?
If a holiday falls on a day you don’t normally work, you’re generally owed a substitute paid day off, usually your next working day.
How many long weekends are there in Nova Scotia in 2026?
7 long weekends from statutory and commonly observed holidays: Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Good Friday & Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Natal Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
Other provinces and territories
Paid days off differ across Canada. Compare with the rest of the country.
- OntarioON 9statutory holidays in 2026
- British ColumbiaBC 11statutory holidays in 2026
- AlbertaAB 9statutory holidays in 2026
- SaskatchewanSK 10statutory holidays in 2026
- ManitobaMB 9statutory holidays in 2026
- QuebecQC 8statutory holidays in 2026
- New BrunswickNB 8statutory holidays in 2026
- Prince Edward IslandPE 8statutory holidays in 2026
- Newfoundland and LabradorNL 6statutory holidays in 2026
- YukonYT 11statutory holidays in 2026
- Northwest TerritoriesNT 11statutory holidays in 2026
- NunavutNU 11statutory holidays in 2026
- Federal (Canada Labour Code)Federal 10statutory holidays in 2026