12/12/2020
Christmas in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as it is in other Western countries. As it is across the globe, December 25th is the official holiday in Canada, with many Canadians also taking time off on the afternoon of the 24th (Christmas Eve) as well as Boxing Day, celebrated on the 26th.
Canada is a multicultural country, so many other holiday traditions aside from Christian ones are observed in December and throughout the year. Hanukkah celebrations are widespread, especially in Toronto and Montreal where there are large Jewish populations. On Christmas Day, pretty much everything in the way of retail and services is closed, except for the occasional convenience store. If you're looking for a bar or restaurant for a good holiday meal, a hotel is a good bet.
Christmas Eve (December 24th), is the last chance to get Christmas shopping done, with most stores staying open until 5 or 6 p.m. and lots of people leaving work for th
