Nova Scotia stat holidays 2026
Employees in Nova Scotia get 6 paid holidays in 2026. Here is every date, who qualifies for holiday pay, how it is calculated, and which popular days off are not statutory.
Nova Scotia statutory holidays 2026
| Holiday | 2026 | Date rule |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 Thursday | January 1 every year | |
| Feb 16 Monday | the third Monday of February | |
| Apr 3 Friday | the Friday before Easter Sunday | |
| Jul 1 Wednesday | July 1 every year | |
| Sep 7 Monday | the first Monday of September | |
| Dec 25 Friday | December 25 every year |
Add them to your calendar: 2026 (.ics)
Days off that are not statutory in Nova Scotia
Banks, schools or government offices may close on these, but employers do not have to give a paid day off.
A retail closing day, but not a paid holiday.
Covered by a separate Remembrance Day Act: employees who work it, where businesses may open, can earn another day off with pay, but there is no premium.
A retail closing day, but not a paid holiday.
Who gets holiday pay
- You must have been entitled to pay for at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday.
- You must have worked your last scheduled shift before and your first scheduled shift after the holiday.
How holiday pay is calculated
Holiday pay is a regular day’s pay. If your hours vary, it is your average day’s pay over the 30 days before the holiday (for example, $2,040 earned over 17 days worked is $120).
Working on the holiday: If you work the holiday you get your regular or average day’s pay plus 1.5 times your wage for the hours worked. Continuous operations may pay straight time plus another day off with pay.
When a holiday falls on a weekend or your day off
If a holiday falls on your regular day off, you get a different day off with pay: the next working day, the day after your vacation, or a day you agree on.
Long weekends in Nova Scotia in 2026
- Heritage DayFeb 14 – Feb 163 days
- Good FridayApr 3 – Apr 53 days
- Labour DaySep 5 – Sep 73 days
- Christmas DayDec 25 – Dec 273 days
Questions people ask
+How many stat holidays are there in Nova Scotia in 2026?
There are 6 paid holidays in Nova Scotia in 2026: New Year's Day, Heritage Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day.
+What is the first stat holiday in Nova Scotia in 2026?
New Year's Day, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
+Is Remembrance Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Remembrance Day is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay. Covered by a separate Remembrance Day Act: employees who work it, where businesses may open, can earn another day off with pay, but there is no premium.
+Is Thanksgiving a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Thanksgiving is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay. A retail closing day, but not a paid holiday.
+Is Boxing Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Boxing Day is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay. A retail closing day, but not a paid holiday.
+Is Victoria Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Victoria Day is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay.
+Is Natal Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Natal Day is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay.
+Is Easter Monday a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. Easter Monday is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay.
+Is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
No. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not one of the paid holidays in Nova Scotia, so employers do not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay.
Sources
Checked against these sources on October 17, 2026. General information, not legal advice: your employment contract or collective agreement can give more.