Nova Scotia stat holidays: all you need to know for 2026 and 2027
Quick summary
Nova Scotia has 6 paid stat holidays. Remembrance Day (November 11) is not on the paid list there. Dates below are worked out from the government's own rules. For how holiday pay works across Canada, readour stat holiday guide.
Checked November 3, 2026. Main source: Government of Nova Scotia: Holiday pay. See all 2 sources.
Is today a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
Next paid stat holiday: Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 (42 days away).
Based on your device's date. Many businesses set their own hours, so call ahead.
Nova Scotia stat holidays in 2026
6 paid holidays. 4 fall on a Monday or Friday, which gives a long weekend.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, January 1 |
| Nova Scotia Heritage Day | Monday, February 16 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3 |
| Canada Day | Wednesday, July 1 |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 7 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 |
Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11: Covered by a separate Act, not the Labour Standards Code. An employee who works that day may be owed another paid day off. Easter Monday, Victoria Day and Natal Day are not paid general holidays in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia stat holidays month by month, 2026
January
- New Year's Day
Thursday, January 1
February
- Nova Scotia Heritage Day
Monday, February 16
March
No paid stat holiday.
April
- Good Friday
Friday, April 3
May
No paid stat holiday.
June
No paid stat holiday.
July
- Canada Day
Wednesday, July 1
August
No paid stat holiday.
September
- Labour Day
Monday, September 7
October
No paid stat holiday.
November
No paid stat holiday.
December
- Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
Nova Scotia stat holidays in 2027
4 long weekends in 2027.
January
- New Year's Day
Friday, January 1
February
- Nova Scotia Heritage Day
Monday, February 15
March
- Good Friday
Friday, March 26
April
No paid stat holiday.
May
No paid stat holiday.
June
No paid stat holiday.
July
- Canada Day
Thursday, July 1
August
No paid stat holiday.
September
- Labour Day
Monday, September 6
October
No paid stat holiday.
November
No paid stat holiday.
December
- Christmas Day
Saturday, December 25, on a weekend
Holiday pay rules in Nova Scotia
If you are off: A regular day's pay. If your hours vary, an average over the 30 days before.
If you work: A regular day's pay plus 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for the hours worked.
Who qualifies: You must be entitled to pay for at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday, and work your last scheduled shift before and first scheduled shift after.
What is open and closed on a stat holiday in Nova Scotia
Is Remembrance Day (November 11, 2026) a paid holiday in Nova Scotia?
It follows a separate rule here. See the note under the table of dates.
| Place | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Banks | Banks are federally regulated, so they generally follow the federal holiday list, which includes Remembrance Day and Boxing Day. Branch hours can differ, so check yours. |
| Nova Scotia government offices | Generally closed on the 6 paid holidays in the table above. |
| Schools and child care | Calendars are set by each school board or centre, so check yours. |
| Grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants | Set by each business. Many open with shorter hours, some close. Check the store's own page or call. |
| Malls and big retailers | Set by each mall and each store. Hours often change around Christmas and New Year. |
| Hospitals and emergency care | Emergency departments stay open every day. Clinics and walk-in hours often change. |
| Mail and courier | Check Canada Post and your courier for their holiday schedule. |
| Public transit | Many systems run a Sunday or holiday schedule. Check your local transit agency. |
These are general patterns, not rules. Opening hours are set by each business. Some provinces have their own rules on retail hours, so check the provincial labour page linked in the sources.
Stat holidays in other provinces and territories
Make the days off count
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Questions people ask
How many stat holidays does Nova Scotia have?
Nova Scotia has 6 paid stat holidays, according to the government pages in the sources.
Is Remembrance Day a stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
It is not on the paid list in Nova Scotia. Check the note on this page and ask your employer.
What is the next stat holiday in Nova Scotia?
The list for 2026 starts at the top of this page, and the card at the top shows the next one based on today's date.
Are stores open on stat holidays in Nova Scotia?
It depends on the business. Banks and government offices generally close. Many shops open with shorter hours. Check the store before you go.