Boxing Day

Boxing Day 2026 falls on Saturday, December 26. Since it falls on a weekend, employees entitled to the holiday typically receive a substitute day off (often Monday, December 28).

Boxing Day is a statutory holiday under Ontario's Employment Standards Act. It is one of the 9 ESA public holidays. Employees are entitled to the day off with public holiday pay.

Statutory in Ontario. Also a statutory holiday federally and in several provinces (AB, NB, NL, ON, SK). Quebec does not observe Boxing Day as a statutory holiday.

December 2026 calendar: Fri Dec 25 (Christmas) – Sat Dec 26 (Boxing Day) – Sun Dec 27. With Christmas on Friday and Boxing Day on Saturday, many get Fri-Sun off plus a substitute day for Boxing Day (Mon Dec 28).

Government offices and banks close. Many retail stores open early with major sales (Boxing Day sales are a Canadian tradition). Malls and shopping centers see heavy foot traffic.

Boxing Day originated as a day to give gifts to servants and tradespeople. In modern Canada, it has become synonymous with post-Christmas sales, similar to Black Friday in the United States.