Forecast — Dates are estimated

Canada Holidays 2028

North America · CAD · 10 public holidays · 12 shopping events ·Pop: 38.9M ·GDP: $2.2T

Market Overview

Canada's e-commerce market is valued at over $80 billion and continues to grow steadily, driven by Shopify's ecosystem and major players like Amazon Canada, Walmart Canada, and Canadian Tire. Online retail penetration sits around 15%, with significant room for growth compared to the US and UK. Canadian consumers are bilingual, requiring English and French content for Quebec. Cross-border shopping with the US remains common, but domestic e-commerce has strengthened with improved logistics. Key trends include grocery e-commerce expansion, sustainable shopping preferences, and the rise of local marketplace platforms.

Key Events

Black FridayCyber MondayBoxing Day

Top Platforms

Amazon CA35%
Shopify Stores12%
Walmart CA5%
E-commerce growing at 50% YoY with 82% digital maturity.
Amazon CA + Shopify: English-language market (bilingual for Quebec). Shopify HQ in Canada.
Market tier: Tier 2
Growth potential: Medium
Cross-border ease: Medium

Public Holidays in Canada (2028)

Source: Nager.Date API — 10 public holidays

New Year's Day
January 1, 2028
Family Day
February 2, 2028
Good Friday
April 14, 2028
Victoria Day
May 6, 2028
Canada Day
July 1, 2028
Labour Day
September 4, 2028
Thanksgiving
October 3, 2028
Remembrance Day
November 11, 2028
Christmas Day
December 25, 2028
Boxing Day
December 26, 2028

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boxing Day bigger than Black Friday in Canada?

Historically, Boxing Day was Canada's biggest shopping day. However, Black Friday has gained significant traction since the 2010s as Canadian retailers compete with US cross-border shopping. Today, both events are major, though Boxing Day remains culturally more established for clearance sales.

Do Canadian retailers offer French-language shopping experiences?

Yes, retailers operating in Quebec must comply with French language laws, requiring French-language websites, product descriptions, and customer service. Major national retailers like Amazon Canada and Walmart Canada maintain fully bilingual platforms to serve both English and French-speaking consumers.

How does cross-border shopping affect Canadian e-commerce?

Many Canadians historically shopped from US sites for better prices and selection. However, duties, exchange rates, and shipping costs often offset savings. Domestic e-commerce has improved significantly, with Canadian retailers offering competitive pricing and free shipping to retain customers locally.

When do Canadian retailers run major sales?

Major Canadian sales align with public holidays: Victoria Day in May, Canada Day on July 1, Labour Day in September, and Thanksgiving in October. Black Friday and Boxing Day remain the largest shopping events, with Cyber Monday growing rapidly as online adoption increases.