Long weekends 2026 in the Northwest Territories

Statutory holidays 2026 in the Northwest Territories and what each one gives you

Here is each day off in date order, what it marks, and the quickest way to turn it into a longer long weekend.

VictoriaiPhoto: Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

VictoriaiPhoto: Donaldytong · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

• Thursday, January 1: New Year's Day. New Year's Day is a statutory holiday across Canada, with polar bear dips in some towns and a quiet day for most. It closes the winter holiday season. Take Friday, January 2 off and you have 4 days in a row, January 1 to 4.
• Friday, April 3: Good Friday. Good Friday is a statutory holiday in every province. It creates the Easter long weekend, a popular time for spring skiing or a first trip south. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, April 3 to 5.
• Monday, May 18: Victoria Day. Victoria Day falls on the Monday before 25 May and is known as the May two four weekend. It opens cottage and camping season across much of Canada. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, May 16 to 18.
• Sunday, June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day. National Indigenous Peoples Day on 21 June, the summer solstice, celebrates First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures. It is a statutory holiday in the territories, with drumming, dancing and feasts. It falls on a Sunday, and the Northwest Territories's list has no weekday in lieu for it in 2026.
• Wednesday, July 1: Canada Day. Canada Day celebrates Confederation on 1 July with fireworks, concerts and red and white everywhere. It opens the summer cottage season, so lakes and campgrounds fill quickly. Take Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30 off and you have 5 days in a row, June 27 to July 1.
• Monday, August 3: Civic Holiday. The Civic Holiday on the first Monday of August goes by local names in many provinces. It creates a high summer long weekend, peak time for cottages, camping and road trips. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, August 1 to 3.
• Monday, September 7: Labour Day. Labour Day on the first Monday of September is the last long weekend of summer in Canada, right before school starts. Expect busy roads to cottages and campgrounds. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, September 5 to 7.
• Wednesday, September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on 30 September honours survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned. Many people wear orange and attend community events. Take Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29 off and you have 5 days in a row, September 26 to 30.
• Monday, October 12: Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October, at the height of the fall colours. Families gather for a harvest dinner, and it is a favourite long weekend for a last cottage trip. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, October 10 to 12.
• Wednesday, November 11: Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day on 11 November honours those who died in military service, with a moment of silence at 11 a.m. and poppies worn in the weeks before. Take Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 off and you have 5 days in a row, November 7 to 11.
• Friday, December 25: Christmas Day. Christmas Day is a statutory holiday across Canada, when most shops close. Taking leave between Christmas and New Year gives one of the longest breaks of the year for few days of leave. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, December 25 to 27.

How far each vacation day goes in 2026

With 1 vacation day the longest run you can build is 4 days, January 1 to 4. Three days stretch to 5 days off (June 27 to July 1). Five days, a typical week, become 10 days off around Christmas Day and New Year's Day, December 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

iPhoto: Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Ten days, the most this planner books in one go, give 17 days in a row, September 26 to October 12. For nine days or more away you need 4 vacation days.

Two weeks of vacation is ten working days, exactly the largest budget above: one long winter or summer break, or several long weekends spread over the year.

The Northwest Territories compared with other provinces and territories

British Columbia has the most with 11 statutory holidays in 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador the fewest with 6. The Northwest Territories sits in between with 11.

British ColumbiaiPhoto: Deror_avi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

NewfoundlandiPhoto: Daniel L. Lu (user:dllu) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Its best long weekend, January 1 to 4, returns 4.0 days off per day of leave. No other province or territory in our data does better this year.

The Northwest Territories in other years

2027 and 2028 are planned as well, each with its own dates and long weekends.

iPhoto: Keith Pomakis · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Holiday dates move every year: fixed-date days change their weekday, and Easter moves between late March and late April, which is why the best long weekends are never the same twice.