What is Victoria Day?

Victoria Day (in French: Fête de la Reine) is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian sovereign’s official birthday is recognized. It is sometimes informally considered as marking the beginning of the summer season in Canada.

When is Victoria Day 2015?

18th May 2015

Why do canadians celebrate victoria day?

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. Following the death of three uncles and her father, she became Queen of the United Kingdom on June 20, 1837 and reigned until her death on January 22, 1901. Victoria is still the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. During Victoria’s life, the British Empire expanded considerably. However, her powers as Queen of the United Kingdom were reduced as the House of Commons became more important and powerful in British politics.

The monarch’s birthday has been celebrated in Canada since before the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign. After her death, in 1901, May 25 became known as Empire Day. The sovereign’s official birthday was still celebrated, often on the King’s or Queen’s actual birthday. In 1952, Empire Day was moved to the Monday before May 25 and since 1953, the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II has been celebrated on this date in Canada. In 1958, Empire Day became known as Commonwealth Day, which was moved to the second Monday in March. The Monday before May 25 then became known as Victoria Day, which is a Canadian statutory holiday.

Meaning of victoria day

Victoria played an active role in Canadian development. For instance, she chose Ottawa as the new capital – the Westminster of the Wilderness, and named British Columbia, and she personally encouraged Confederation in 1867. But she was also the symbolic focus of Canadian unity. Sir John A. Macdonald, the Father of Confederation, said that the purpose of Confederation “was to declare in the most solemn and emphatic manner [Canadians’] resolve to be under the sovereignty of [Queen Victoria] and [her] family forever”. Victoria was truly the Mother of Confederation.

As a result, when Queen Victoria died in January 1901, the Canadian Parliament, independent of anything that was happening elsewhere in the Empire, created a memorial holiday “Victoria Day” on 24th May to remember the Queen’s birthday. That is the beginning of “Victoria Day” distinct from “The Queen’s Birthday” as a holiday. The new monarch, King Edward VII’s birthday was in November so Canadians decided to continue celebrating it officially on 24th May. King George V was born in June however so, in 1911, the King’s Birthday was celebrated in June and Victoria Day continued to be observed on 24th May. Except for two years, that remained the situation until Queen Elizabeth II came to the Throne in 1952.
the Queen’s Birthday and Victoria Day remain important joint holidays celebrated in Canada in the 21st Century because they were given life by the Canadian people. The celebrations are neither an imported tradition nor an artificial creation force-fed by government. Celebrating both a beloved monarch of our history and the reigning monarch of Canada ensures that the festivities are rooted in our history but will never be archaic or stale. Like the Monarchy itself, they are constantly being renewed in significance and style of celebration by the life and personality of the Sovereign of Canada to whom the tribute is given, and by the collective personality of the Canadian people by whom it is offered.

What do people do on Victoria Day?

What traditions are upheld on Victoria Day? Well, if you’re enjoying a downtown stroll at noon in the nation’s capital or in any provincial capital, you’ll hear the firing of a 21-gun salute. You’ll also see the Royal Union flag (the “Union Jack”) flying alongside the National Flag of Canada, the “Maple Leaf,” from sunrise to sunset at federal buildings and properties.

If you’re in downtown Victoria, British Columbia—a city named for the Queen—you may join over 120,000 spectators watching marching bands, floats and clowns performing during the annual Victoria Day Parade.

Finally, you might be one of many Canadians ooohing and aaahing over dazzling firework displays that light up the evening sky of most Canadian cities. You might even choose to set off your own firecrackers and sparklers.

what’s open victoria day Holiday?

What’s Open & Closed on Victoria Day Weekend in Toronto:

The Eaton Centre will be open on Victoria Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along with a few other malls, including Square One and Vaughan Mills. Yorkdale and Sherway Gardens will be closed.
Despite the averted strike, LCBO and beer stores will be closed as well.
If you’re looking for a fun activity over the weekend, however, Canada’s Wonderland will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The CN Tower will be open, too. For anyone interested in seeing the famous pandas, the Toronto Zoo will be open on Monday and the panda exhibit will open to the public on Saturday.
Toronto’s five municipal golf courses will also be open on Victoria Day.

ATTRACTIONS

The ROM – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
What’s on: The Forbidden City

AGO – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday: Closed
What’s on: Francis Bacon and Henry Moore

Ontario Science Centre – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What’s on: Sultans of Science

TIFF Bell Lightbox – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday: Closed.

Toronto Zoo – Map & Address
Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Hockey Hall of Fame – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ripley’s Aquarium – Map & Address
Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Monday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Canada’s Wonderland – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

MALLS

The Eaton Centre – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Yorkdale – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Fairview – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Sherway Gardens – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Scarborough Town Centre – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Vaughan Mills – Map & Address
Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

What’s Open & Closed on Victoria Day Weekend in Ottawa:

Food and drink:

All Ottawa LCBOs will be closed.
All Ottawa Loblaws locations will be closed, with the exception of the location of Rideau Street, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All Ottawa Food Basics locations will be closed.
All Ottawa Metro grocery stores will be closed, with the exception of the 24-hour Metro store on Rideau Street, which will remain open.
The Hartman’s Grocery Store on Bank Street will be closed.
The Real Canadian Superstore on Richmond Road will be closed.
The Herb & Spice grocery stores on Bank Street and Wellington Street West will be open.
Most ByWard Market businesses are open.
Shoppers Drug Mart stores will be open.
Shopping malls:

The Rideau Centre will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The St. Laurent Shopping Centre will be closed.
The Bayshore Shopping Centre will be closed.
Hazeldean Mall will be closed.
Place d’Orleans will be closed.

Victoria Day 2015 – Canada {Date What’s Open on Weekend Holiday}

Banks:

All banks will be closed.

Client services:

Ottawa City Hall and all seven client service centres, including the Government Service Centre at 110 Laurier Ave. W., will be closed. Business will resume as usual on Tuesday.
Provincial Offences Court, at 100 Constellation Cres., will be closed. Business will resume as usual on Tuesday.
The city’s 311 contact centre will be open for urgent matters requiring the city’s immediate attention. Call 311 or 613-580-2400 to speak to someone. For persons living with a hearing-related disability, call (TTY: 613-580-2401).
Garbage, green bin and recycling collection:

There will be no curbside green bin, recycling or garbage collection on Victoria Day. Victoria Day’s pick up will take place on Tuesday. In addition, the collection of green bin, recycling materials and garbage will be delayed by one day for the week of May 19. For curbside collection inquiries, refer to the collection calendar tool.
There will be no multi-residential collection of bulky items, green bin and recycling container collection on Victoria Day. Victoria Day’s pick-up will take place on Tuesday. Recycling container and green bin collection will also be delayed by one day for the week of May 19.
However, multi-residential garbage container collection is not delayed and collection will take place on its regularly scheduled day during the week of May 19.
The Trail Waste Facility will be closed.
Parking:

All City of Ottawa parking regulations and restrictions will apply on Victoria Day.
Transit services:

OC Transpo service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Victoria Day. Call 613-560-1000 or text 560560 plus your four-digit bus stop number for automated schedule information. For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, phone 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com.
OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres will be closed on Victoria Day, with the exception of the Rideau Centre office, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The OC Transpo Information Centre (613-741-4390) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Victoria Day.
The OC Transpo Customer Relations Department (613-842-3600) will be closed on Victoria Day.
Recreation services:

Many pools, fitness centres and some arenas will be open on Victoria Day for public swimming, skating and fitness classes with modified schedules. Please check with ottawa.ca or the facility of your choice for details.
Many registered programs at swimming pools, community centres and arenas are cancelled on Victoria Day; however, clients should check with their facility to confirm, as some exceptions will apply.
Ottawa Public Health:

The Ottawa Public Health Information Line and Aids-Sexual Health Info Line will be closed.
The Sexual Health Centre and satellite clinics will be closed.
The SITE office at 179 Clarence St. will be closed, but the SITE mobile van will be operating on a regular schedule from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Dental clinics will be closed.
Well Baby Drop-in will be closed.
Cultural services:

City of Ottawa Archives, arts centres, galleries, theatres and museums will be closed on Victoria Day. However, clients should check with ottawa.ca or their facility to confirm holiday hours, as some exceptions may apply.
The Billings Estate National Historic Site, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site will be closed. But the Nepean Museum and the park at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site will remain open.
Fairfields Heritage House will be open by appointment only.
Archival services:

The City of Ottawa Archives Reference Services and Gallery 112 will be closed from Saturday, May 17, to Monday, May 19, for the Victoria Day weekend.
Municipal child care services:

City-operated child care centres will be closed.
Ottawa Public Library:

All branches, departments and services of the Ottawa Public Library will be closed on Victoria Day. Business will resume as usual on Tuesday.

Originally posted 2015-05-11 14:23:22.

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