Ottawa Parliament Buildings Sunset View, Canada

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Celebrating Canada and England's common bond. Victoria Day

Today's holiday honours Queen Victoria’s birth and was created to strengthen the bond between England and what was formerly known as the Province of Canada. While the holiday—permanently moved to the Monday before May 25 in 1952—is a federal holiday, it is celebrated differently across the country. One notable celebration is Ottawa's day-long event at Parliament Hill. It starts with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a parade that starts at the Canadian War Museum and concludes at Parliament. The festivities end with a display of fireworks in the night sky for spectators watching from the banks of the Ottawa River. However you're celebrating, we hope you have a fun and festive Victoria Day!