Living in Canada | Victoria Day - Start of Summer for Canadians

Photo：bogrodstd

Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine, lit. 'Celebration of the Queen') is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25 to honour Queen Victoria.

The origin of Victoria Day

Victoria Day was celebrated before the Canadian Confederation was established in 1867. In 1845, the Legislature of the Province of Canada passed an act officially declared May 24 as Queen Victoria's birthday. On Victoria's 35th birthday, in 1854, some 5,000 residents of Canada West gathered in front of Government House (near present-day King and Simcoe Streets in Toronto) to "give cheers to their queen".

After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada establishing a legal holiday on May 24 in each year (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) under the name Victoria Day.

What does Victoria Day mean to Canada?

For Canadians, Victoria Day marks the beginning of summer, so this festival has a unique significance in Canadian culture. Because during this week, many commercial institutions, entertainment venues, or public facilities related to the summer will start to operate or open one by one.

At the same time, Victoria Day also heralds the arrival of the new year's planting period. From mid-May every year until the winter of the following year, there will be no subzero temperatures in all parts of Canada, which also means that various crops have reached the most suitable season for planting. Every household will trim flowers and plants, ready to welcome the warm and beautiful summer!

Photo: Rovenimages_com@Pixabay

How do Canadians celebrate Victoria Day?

Fireworks will be set off on the evening of Victoria Day. In Canada, there are only two holidays where fireworks are officially organized, that is, Canada Day and Victoria Day.

Fireworks in Toronto

Ashbridges Bay Park Victoria Day Fireworks

Address: Ashbridges Bay Park, 1561 Lakeshore Boulevard East, Toronto

Time: 10 p.m.

Fee: Free

The fireworks display will last approximately 14 minutes and can be seen from the boardwalk from Lower Coxwell Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue.

*Fireworks show is subject to weather.

Road Closures:

Coxwell Avenue from Lake Shore Blvd East to Eastern Avenue

Lake Shore Blvd East from Leslie Street to Queen St. East

Parking enforcement will be stepped up over the long weekend and drivers should expect major delays due to road closures. Parking will be also be restricted.