This year Victoria Day falls on Monday 20 May 2013 and millions of Canadians will enjoy a day off work to celebrate the public holiday.
Victoria Day is in honour of Queen Victoria’s Birthday and has been in existence since before Canada was formed. The day also marks the unofficial start to Canada’s summer season. And this year Canadians have largely opted to enjoy a staycation to mark the long weekend. Popular spots include Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa which have always traditionally topped the list. And this year Quebec City has also been named a hotspot.
Top of the list yet again is New York which offers both superb value and a fantastic array of springtime activities both indoors and out. Montreal sits in second place and offers European charm coupled with a diverse range of cultural festivals taking place over the long weekend. The third most popular destination is Vancouver which is an outdoor lover’s paradise with over 200 parks to explore.
Besides New York, other top US cities to explore over the Victoria Day weekend include Minneapolis in Minnesota, perennial favourite Las Vegas and Chicago, aka the Windy City.
Top 10 Holiday Destinations
1. New York City
2. Montreal
3. Vancouver
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto
6. Minneapolis
7. Las Vegas
8. Quebec
9. Halifax
10. Chicago
Guide to Victoria Day
Most major towns and cities host spectacular fireworks events to celebrate Victoria Day. There are also street parades and the biggest is held in the city named after the Queen; Victoria in British Columbia. Unofficial the date also marks the end of winter and is a popular time to either plant up your own garden or visit national gardens throughout Canada.
Victoria Day is a national holiday throughout Canada except in Quebec.
