BC Stat Holidays 2025: Your Complete Guide

Planning your year is always exciting. Whether you’re thinking about family vacations, long weekend projects, or just a well-deserved day off, knowing the statutory holidays is key. For those living and working in British Columbia, understanding the BC stat holidays 2025 is essential for scheduling your work and personal life. These designated days off provide a fantastic opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the statutory holidays in British Columbia for 2025, from the specific dates to who is eligible for holiday pay. Let’s dive in and start marking your calendar for the year ahead!

Key Takeaways

• British Columbia has 11 official statutory holidays in 2025.
• This guide provides the specific dates for all BC stat holidays 2025, helping you plan your year effectively.
• Eligibility for stat holiday pay depends on specific criteria set by the BC Employment Standards Act.
• Stat holiday pay is calculated differently for eligible and non-eligible employees who work on a holiday.
• Beyond the official stat holidays, there are other important observances like Easter Monday and Boxing Day that many employers recognize.

What Are Statutory Holidays in BC?

Statutory holidays, often called “stat holidays,” are public holidays established by federal or provincial laws. In British Columbia, these are days when most employees are entitled to a day off with pay. The primary purpose of these holidays is to provide workers with paid time off to rest, celebrate cultural and historical events, and spend time with their families. The regulations surrounding these holidays are outlined in the British Columbia Employment Standards Act. This act defines which days are official holidays, who is eligible for holiday pay, and how that pay should be calculated. Understanding these rules is crucial for both employers and employees to ensure everyone’s rights are respected.

It’s important to distinguish between statutory holidays and other observed dates. While many people might get days like Easter Monday or Boxing Day off, they are not official BC stat holidays 2025. This means employers are not legally required to provide a paid day off unless it is part of an employment contract or collective agreement. The official list is carefully curated to reflect significant provincial and national dates. As we explore the complete list for 2025, you’ll see a mix of federal holidays celebrated across Canada and a few that are unique to British Columbia, like Family Day.

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Full List of BC Stat Holidays 2025

Getting your calendar organized is the first step to making the most of your year. Below is a comprehensive table detailing all the official BC stat holidays 2025. This list will help you identify long weekends and plan your activities well in advance.

Holiday Name	Date in 2025	Day of the Week
New Year’s Day	January 1, 2025	Wednesday
Family Day	February 17, 2025	Monday
Good Friday	April 18, 2025	Friday
Victoria Day	May 19, 2025	Monday
Canada Day	July 1, 2025	Tuesday
BC Day	August 4, 2025	Monday
Labour Day	September 1, 2025	Monday
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	September 30, 2025	Tuesday
Thanksgiving Day	October 13, 2025	Monday
Remembrance Day	November 11, 2025	Tuesday
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Thursday

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Detailed Breakdown of Each 2025 Stat Holiday

Let’s take a closer look at what each of these holidays represents and how you can best enjoy them. Knowing the story behind each day can add a little more meaning to your time off.

New Year’s Day: January 1

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Kicking off the year, New Year’s Day is a global celebration of new beginnings. For many in BC, it’s a quiet day of recovery from New Year’s Eve festivities or a time for peaceful reflection on the year ahead. Since it falls on a Wednesday in 2025, it serves as a mid-week break. This is a perfect opportunity to set resolutions, spend quality time with family, or enjoy the crisp winter air with a walk in one of BC’s beautiful parks. Many community events, like polar bear swims, take place on this day, offering a brave and chilly start to the new year for those willing to take the plunge.

Family Day: February 17

Monday, February 17, 2025

Family Day is one of BC’s newer statutory holidays, created to give people more time with their loved ones during the long stretch of winter. Falling on the third Monday of February, it creates the first long weekend of the year for many. This is a prime time for winter activities. Families often head to the local mountains for skiing or snowboarding, go ice skating, or visit local attractions that offer special Family Day events. It’s a day dedicated entirely to celebrating the importance of family, making it a cherished break from the routine of work and school before spring arrives.

Good Friday: April 18

Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, giving many British Columbians a four-day long weekend when combined with Easter Monday (which is not a stat holiday but is often given off). For religious observers, it is a solemn day of reflection and church services. For others, it marks the unofficial start of spring. Many families use this long weekend to travel, embark on spring cleaning projects, or simply enjoy the warmer weather. In 2025, falling in mid-April, it’s an ideal time for gardening or exploring BC’s blooming landscapes.

Victoria Day: May 19

Monday, May 19, 2025

Victoria Day celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday and is informally considered the start of the summer season in Canada. Occurring on the Monday before May 25, this holiday provides a much-anticipated long weekend. In BC, this weekend is synonymous with camping, gardening, and outdoor barbecues. Many provincial parks see their first major wave of visitors, and garden centers are bustling with people eager to plant their summer flowers and vegetables. Several cities, including Victoria itself, host parades and festivals to mark the occasion, making it a festive and lively time across the province.

Canada Day: July 1

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Canada Day is the nation’s birthday, celebrating the anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867. On this day, communities across BC come alive with patriotism. You’ll find parades, concerts, and spectacular fireworks displays from Vancouver to Prince George. Since it falls on a Tuesday in 2025, many people may choose to take the preceding Monday off to create a four-day weekend. It’s a day to wear red and white, enjoy a barbecue with friends, and celebrate all things Canadian. Major events are held in cities like Vancouver at Canada Place and in the nation’s capital, Ottawa.

BC Day: August 4

Monday, August 4, 2025

Celebrated on the first Monday of August, BC Day is a holiday unique to British Columbia. It was established to celebrate the province’s rich history, heritage, and culture. This holiday provides a long weekend in the heart of summer, making it perfect for exploring the province’s stunning natural beauty. Many people use this time for camping trips, visits to the Okanagan’s wine country, or exploring Vancouver Island’s coastline. Community festivals, historical reenactments, and local markets are common, offering a wonderful way to connect with the province and its diverse communities. It’s a key date in the BC stat holidays 2025 calendar for summer fun.

Labour Day: September 1

Monday, September 1, 2025

Labour Day, on the first Monday of September, marks the unofficial end of summer. It originated to celebrate the achievements of workers and the labour union movement. For many families, this long weekend is the last chance for a summer getaway before the school year begins. It’s a popular time for final camping trips, visiting the beach, or hosting end-of-summer parties. Parades and community events are held in various towns, but for most, it’s a day to relax and prepare for the transition into the autumn season. It’s a well-deserved break for the workforce across the province.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

This is one of the newest BC stat holidays 2025. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this federal statutory holiday was established to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as the survivors, their families, and communities. It is a day for solemn reflection and education on the history and ongoing legacy of the residential school system. In BC, people are encouraged to wear orange shirts, participate in community events, and take time to learn about Indigenous history and culture. Falling on a Tuesday, it offers a moment of pause to engage in meaningful reconciliation.

Thanksgiving Day: October 13

Monday, October 13, 2025

Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October. It is a day to give thanks for the harvest and for one’s blessings over the past year. This holiday is centered around food and family, with many households preparing a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The long weekend is also a perfect time to enjoy the fall colours. Many people go for hikes, visit pumpkin patches, or take scenic drives to see the autumn foliage. It’s a cozy and grateful time of year, bringing families together before the winter sets in.

Remembrance Day: November 11

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Remembrance Day is a solemn day to honour the men and women who have served and sacrificed for Canada in times of war and conflict. While it is a stat holiday, it is unique in that retail businesses are restricted from opening until after 1 p.m. as a mark of respect. The focal point of the day is the moment of silence at 11 a.m., marking the time the armistice was signed to end World War I. Ceremonies are held at cenotaphs in communities across BC, where wreaths are laid and veterans are honoured. It is a day of quiet reflection and gratitude.

Christmas Day: December 25

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Christmas Day is both a major Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and a widespread cultural celebration. For most British Columbians, it’s a day spent with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and sharing a festive meal. The atmosphere is filled with joy, tradition, and goodwill. With Christmas falling on a Thursday in 2025, many people will take the following Friday (Boxing Day) off to create a four-day weekend, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the holiday season. It’s the final statutory holiday of the year, closing out 2025 with warmth and celebration.

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Who Is Eligible for Stat Holiday Pay in BC?

Not everyone automatically gets a paid day off. According to the BC Employment Standards Act, an employee must meet two main criteria to qualify for statutory holiday pay:

1. They must have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday.
2. They must have worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 days immediately preceding the holiday.

An employee who meets these conditions is entitled to an average day’s pay, even if they don’t work on the stat holiday. This is calculated by taking the total wages earned in the 30 calendar days before the holiday (including vacation pay but not overtime) and dividing it by the number of days worked. For those who are exploring career options, resources like Forbes Planet can offer insights into different industries and employment standards.

Some professions are excluded from the statutory holiday provisions of the Employment Standards Act. These can include certain types of managers, professionals like doctors and lawyers, and commissioned salespeople who work outside the employer’s place of business. It’s always a good idea to check the Act or consult with an HR professional if you’re unsure about your specific situation.

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Working on a BC Stat Holiday: How Pay Is Calculated

What happens if you are required to work on one of the BC stat holidays 2025? The pay calculation depends on whether you qualify for stat holiday pay in the first place.

If You Are Eligible for Stat Holiday Pay

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are asked to work on a stat holiday, you are entitled to be paid:

• Time-and-a-half (1.5 times your regular wage) for the first 12 hours worked.
• Double-time (2 times your regular wage) for any hours worked over 12.
• PLUS an average day’s pay.

This combination ensures that employees are significantly compensated for giving up their holiday to work.

If You Are Not Eligible for Stat Holiday Pay

If you have not been employed for 30 days or haven’t worked at least 15 of the last 30 days, you do not receive the average day’s pay. However, if you work on the stat holiday, you are still entitled to be paid premium wages. You must be paid:

• Time-and-a-half for the first 12 hours worked.
• Double-time for any hours worked over 12.

Essentially, you are paid the same premium rates for the hours you work, but you do not get the additional “day’s pay” that eligible employees receive.

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Other Important Dates to Note in 2025

While not official stat holidays, there are a few other days in 2025 that many people in BC get as time off. These are often granted by employers as part of an employment agreement or as a common business practice.

• Easter Monday (April 21, 2025): The day after Easter Sunday is commonly given as a day off, especially for government workers and those in federally regulated industries. Many schools are also closed, extending the Easter long weekend.
• Boxing Day (December 26, 2025): The day after Christmas is a very popular shopping day known for its big sales. While it is not on the official BC stat holidays 2025 list, the vast majority of non-retail businesses close on this day, giving employees an extra day off to spend with family or hit the stores.

Understanding these non-statutory but commonly observed holidays can help you get an even clearer picture of your potential days off for the year.

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Conclusion

The BC stat holidays 2025 offer valuable opportunities throughout the year to rest, celebrate, and connect with family and community. From the first long weekend on Family Day in February to the final festive break at Christmas, these 11 official holidays provide a well-structured calendar of downtime. By understanding the dates, the significance of each holiday, and the rules around holiday pay, both employees and employers in British Columbia can plan effectively and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Mark these dates on your calendar, think about how you’ll spend your long weekends, and get ready to make the most of every holiday that 2025 has to offer.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Easter Monday a stat holiday in BC?

No, Easter Monday is not an official statutory holiday in British Columbia. However, many employers, particularly in the public sector and federally regulated industries, choose to give their employees this day off, creating a four-day weekend.

Is Boxing Day a stat holiday in BC?

No, Boxing Day (December 26) is not a statutory holiday in BC. Despite this, it is a very common day off for employees in many sectors, though retail workers are often busy with post-Christmas sales.

How many stat holidays are there in BC for 2025?

There are 11 official BC stat holidays 2025. These are New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, BC Day, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, and Christmas Day.

How is stat holiday pay calculated?

For an eligible employee, stat holiday pay (if they don’t work) is an “average day’s pay.” This is calculated by dividing the total wages earned in the 30 days prior to the holiday by the number of days worked during that period.

What if a stat holiday falls on my regular day off?

If a statutory holiday falls on your scheduled day off, you are still entitled to the holiday with pay if you meet the eligibility criteria. Your employer must provide a day off with pay at a later date or, with your written agreement, pay you an additional average day’s pay.