Boxing Day in Canada: Traditions and Celebrations

Boxing Day is an annual statutory holiday in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, celebrated on December 26th. It originated in the United Kingdom and is now a beloved tradition up north. Boxing Day is marked by massive sales, sporting events, family gatherings, parades, and charity events.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Boxing Day such a special and eagerly awaited day across the country.

What Are the Origins of Boxing Day in Canada?

Boxing Day takes place on December 26th every year. There are a few different stories about how it got its name and started as a holiday.

One idea is that wealthy families would put together boxes of money, food, and gifts for their servants. They gave them these “Christmas boxes” on December 26th as a special end-of-year thank you for all their hard work. This could be why it came to be called Boxing Day.

Another theory is that churches used to set up “alms boxes” before Christmas to gather donations for people in need. On the day after Christmas, the boxes would be opened, and everything inside would be given to the poor. Giving out these boxed-up donations might be how the holiday got its name.

December 26th is also St. Stephen’s Day, named after the first Christian martyr. Some think the name “Boxing Day” originally came from opening up church charity boxes on St. Stephen’s Day to give away the contents.

No one knows for sure, but most stories say the name comes from the tradition of packing up gifts, food, money, and other donations in boxes to hand out on December 26th. Even if the exact origin is unclear, giving to others has long been an important part of Boxing Day.

Source: Boxing Day – thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

When is Boxing Day in Canada?

Boxing Day always falls on December 26th, immediately after Christmas Day in Canada. Boxing Day never changes from its set date. You can expect sales, ice hockey, and festivities every year on this set date.

The table below shows when Boxing Day falls in Canada for 2025 and the upcoming years.

Is Boxing Day a Public Holiday in Canada?

Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in certain Canadian provinces, but is not uniformly observed across the country:

• No holiday status in Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia – Boxing Day is not an official public holiday in these provinces. Retail stores remain open.
• Saskatchewan – It is a public sector holiday for government services, but not all businesses are closed.
• Retail closing laws – Most stores are closed in provinces like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Ontario.
• Provinces observing Boxing Day – It is a statutory holiday in areas like Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, etc. Most retailers and businesses are closed.

The table below summarizes the public holiday status of Boxing Day by province:

As shown, Boxing Day is a full statutory holiday in most eastern provinces but is not recognized as an official public holiday in western provinces like British Columbia and Alberta.

This difference highlights how statutory holidays vary across Canada. Because each province and territory sets its own rules in addition to the national holidays, you can see that the number of holidays can look very different depending on where you live or work. Explore more below for details:

• Statutory Holidays in British Columbia
• Statutory Holidays in Alberta
• Statutory Holidays in Northwest Territories
• Statutory Holidays in Yukon
• Statutory Holidays in Prince Edward Island
• Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick
• Statutory Holidays in Quebec

How Do Canadians Celebrate Boxing Day?

Canadians celebrate Boxing Day in two main ways: a high-energy, public experience driven by commerce and sports, and a relaxed, private one centred on home and family. These modern traditions are layered over older customs, creating a day that is uniquely Canadian.

Below, we will explore some of Canada’s most popular Boxing Day traditions:

Boxing Day Shopping

Boxing Day is the Black Friday equivalent in Canada, with huge crowds and bargains to kick off the post-holiday shopping season.

Shoppers often line up in the early morning hours, and many retailers open their doors earlier than usual to manage the demand for deeply discounted items, particularly electronics, appliances, and winter apparel. 

This shopping frenzy is no longer confined to a single day, with many retailers extending their promotions into “Boxing Week,” which can last until New Year’s Eve.

Hockey Tournaments

Boxing Day hockey is a beloved tradition in Canada. Many people watch the World Juniors tournament, where Canada’s under-20 men’s team competes.

Another significant hockey event is the Spengler Cup, held in Davos, Switzerland, which also provides plenty of action for fans. Beyond watching televised sports, many Canadians take the opportunity to participate in local sporting events or enjoy outdoor winter activities like skating and curling.

Leftovers & Visiting Family

It’s customary for families to gather again on Boxing Day and feast on leftovers from Christmas dinner.

• Dishes like turkey sandwiches, roasted veggies, slices of ham, pies, Christmas cakes and other goodies get a second life.
• People visit extended family members and friends they couldn’t see on Christmas Day.
• Boxing Day meals are often potluck-style, with people contributing leftovers.

These casual meals are often accompanied by beverages such as red wine, ginger cocktails, and beer. This adds to the relaxed mood of post-Christmas gatherings.

Other Popular Boxing Day Traditions

Beyond the major celebrations, some other Boxing Day traditions include:

• Mumming – In parts of Newfoundland, people dress up in colourful costumes and masks and put on impromptu parades or plays known as mumming.
• Charity – Food drives, monetary donations, and major fundraising efforts happen nationwide on Boxing Day to give back.
• Parades – Community parades and festivals occur, much like a second Christmas celebration.
• Parties – Friends and neighbours get together for potlucks, gift exchanges, and parties on their day off.

Boxing Day vs. St. Stephen’s Day

Here is a table comparing Boxing Day and St. Stephen’s Day:

So, in summary, while both holidays fall on the same date, Boxing Day is mainly secular, while St. Stephen’s Day has religious roots and meanings. Boxing Day is the more widely used name nationwide.

Canada is a multicultural country that celebrates many holidays and festivals throughout the year. Some of the major Canadian holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Family Day
• St. Patrick’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Christmas Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Victoria Day
• Remembrance Day

How do Other Commonwealth Countries Celebrate Boxing Day?

Canada is not alone in its Boxing Day celebrations. Here is a comparison of festivities in other Commonwealth countries:

While the details vary, Commonwealth countries unite around sales, sports and family gatherings on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day maintains its charitable spirit while also evolving into a commercial holiday characterized by major shopping deals, world-class hockey, festive parades, parties with friends, and quality family time.

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