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  • Holidays and Celebrations

    There are also many holidays and celebrations throughout the year: 

    ​• New Year's Day (January 1) – Public holiday celebrating the start of the new calendar year.

    St. Valentine's Day (February 14) – A day for friends and loved ones to give cards and gifts to one another. This day originally honoured St. Valentine.

    Louis Riel Day (third Monday in February) – Public holiday that commemorates the life of Louis Riel, a politician who represented the Métis people's interests. Louis Riel Day gives people in Manitoba the chance to enjoy time with their families and learn about Métis culture. Students do not have school on this day.

    St. Patrick's Day (March 17) – A day named after St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland. People often wear green on this day to represent Ireland.

    Spring Break (usually the last week of March) – Sometimes called spring vacation or mid-term break. Students get the entire week off from school.

    Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) – A day to remember the death of Jesus Christ. Students do not have school on this day.

    Easter (a Sunday between March 22 and April 25) – Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and has become a general holiday marking the beginning of spring. Many families have traditions of colouring boiled eggs ("Easter Eggs") and giving chocolate eggs or Easter bunnies.

    April Fools' Day (April 1) – A day when people often play practical jokes on each other.

    Mother's Day (second Sunday in May) – A day honouring mothers.

    Victoria Day (Monday preceding May 25) – Celebrates Queen Victoria of England, who was the queen at the time of Canadian federation. For many Canadians, it marks the start of summer.

    Father's Day (second Sunday in June) – A day honouring fathers. The Manitoba Marathon is held on this day.

    Canada Day (July 1) – A celebration of Canada's birthday. Most cities will have fireworks at night. Usually considered the first weekend of the summer holiday season and many Canadian families go away or begin their summer holidays at this time.

    Civic Day (first Monday in August) – The Civic Holiday is commonly referred to as the August Long Weekend. It is probably the busiest day on highways as tens of thousands of families go camping, to cottages and on other short trips on this weekend.

    Labour Day (first Monday in September) – Public holiday honouring working people. Usually considered the last weekend of the summer holiday season. Students do not have school on this day.

    Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October) – Public holiday, a day of general thanks. Usually celebrated with a big family meal, likely having turkey as the main dish. Students do not have school on this day.

    Halloween (October 31) – A day when people emphasize scary things, wear costumes, and have parties. Young children wear costumes and go door-to-door around their neighbourhood to collect candy ("trick-or-treating").

    Remembrance Day (November 11) – An official day of observance to honour Canadian soldiers and the anniversary of the end of World War I. Students do not have school on this day.

    Winter Break (dates vary) – Students have 10 to 14 days off of school between semesters in the winter to celebrate the holiday season.

    Christmas (December 25) – Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Usually celebrated by exchanging gifts, decorating a Christmas tree and through a variety of family traditions.

    Boxing Day (December 26) – Most people celebrate this holiday by spending the day with family and friends or going shopping, as stores have after-Christmas sales.

    New Year's Eve (December 31) – Celebration of the end of one calendar year while New Year's Day (January 1) marks the beginning of another.