| May | Asian Heritage Month | Asian Heritage Month is a time to learn about the rich history of Asian heritage in Canada, celebrating the diversity of its many communities and sub-ethnicities. |
| May | Canadian Jewish Heritage Month | Canadian Jewish Heritage Month is a time to learn about the rich history of Canada’s Jewish communities by honouring the diversity within this ethnoreligious group with shared historical, ethnic, religious, and cultural practices and identities. |
| May | Polish Heritage Month | Polish Heritage Month acknowledges the significant contributions of Polish Canadians to Canadian society, culture, and history. |
| May | Sexual Violence Prevention Month | In Canada, May is recognized as Sexual Violence Prevention Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting those who have experienced it. It's a time to highlight the importance of consent, provide resources for survivors, and promote proactive strategies to prevent sexual violence. |
| May 1 | Vesak | Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Vesak is celebrated by Buddhists in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and around the world on the full moon of the second lunar month. The exact date may vary depending on the calendars and calculations used in different traditions and countries. |
| May 4 - May 10 | Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual public-education campaign dedicated to shining a light on mental well-being, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations. |
| May 5 | National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous woman, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ People | Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People, is observed on May 5th. This day honors and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit individuals who have been subject to disproportionate violence in Canada. Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project installation, in which she hung empty, red dresses, each to represent missing and murdered women. Red dresses have become symbolic of the crisis because of her installation. |
| May 5 | Dutch Heritage Day | Dutch Heritage Day celebrates the contributions of Dutch Canadians to Canada's history, culture, and communities. From agriculture to the arts, Dutch heritage continues to shape Canada in many ways. |
| May 14 | Moose Hide Campaign Day | The Moose Hide Campaign began as a BC-born Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending the on-going violence towards Indigenous women and children. It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from local communities, First Nations, governments, schools, colleges/universities, police forces and many other organizations – all committed to taking action to end this violence. |
| May 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia | The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 increase visibility and express solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. |
| May 18 | Victoria Day | Victoria Day is a Canadian public holiday obsrved on the Monday before May 25 to mark the birthday of Queen Victoria. Her reign oversaw the expansion of British rule in what is now Canada, including policies that culturally suppressed and displaced Indigenous peoples and laid the foundation for ongoing colonial systems. The day provides the opportunity for reflection on the legacies of colonialism and the importance of truth and reconciliation. |
| May 21 - May 23 | Shavuot | Shavuot, a time of reflection, learning, and gratitude for the Torah and the harvest. |
| May 26 - May 30 | Eid al-Adha | Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is symbolic of the lessons of sacrifice, devotion, and willingness as told by the story of Prophet Ibrahim. As one of the most important holidays in Islam, every year, Muslims celebrate by gathering with family and loved ones to pray, and show gratitude for life’s blessings, sharing festive meals, and providing food to those in need. |
| June | National Indigenous History Month | National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Turtle Island. It is a time to honour the stories and achievements of Indigenous Peoples through learning more about their history, languages, cultures, and experiences. |
| June | Italian Heritage Month | Italian Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage and impact of Italian Canadians. It honours their contributions in business, sports, cuisine, politics, the arts and more, while recognizing the values of hard work, resilience, and deep commitment to family and tradition. It also acknowledges historic injustices faced by people of Italian heritage and serves as a reminder to learn from the past. |
| June | Filipino Heritage Month | Filipino Heritage Month celebrates the heritage, traditions and contributions of Filipino Canadians. It honours their positive impact in areas such as health care, politics, sports, the arts, finance and social justice, while recognizing the community’s resilience in the face of systemic barriers and discrimination. |
| June | Portuguese Heritage Month | Portuguese Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich traditions, culture, and contributions of Portuguese communities. It highlights the impact of people of Portuguese descent in areas such as politics, art, sport, and cuisine, while recognizing the community’s efforts to preserve their language and heritage. The month invites reflection, learning, and celebration of the vibrant legacy of Portuguese people around the world. |
| June | Pride Month | June is celebrated in Ontario as Pride month. It's the kick of to Canada's Pride Season, which refers to events that take place from June to September, where 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and allies come together to celebrate resilience, showcase talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. While most Pride events occur during these summer months, they are held throughout the year in many communities. Pride Season traces its roots to early 2SLGBTQIA+ rights protests, with the first demonstrations in Canada taking place in 1971 and evolving into major celebrations across the country. |
| June 20 | World Refugee Day | An international day observed annually on June 20, World Refugee Day is organized by the United Nations to celebrate and honour refugees around the world. It was first established in 2001 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. |
| June 21 | National Indigenous Peoples Day | National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the culture, heritage, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. The date aligns with the summer solstice, a day of cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples. First proclaimed in 1996, the day honours the rich histories and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island. |
| June 27 | Canadian Multiculturalism Day | Canadian Multiculturalism Day honours the many cultural communities that contribute to the nation's strong and vibrant society. It is a time to celebrate Canada’s rich cultural diversity and to reaffirm a collective commitment to equity, inclusion, and mutual respect. |
| July 1 | Canada Day | Canada Day holds many different meanings. To some, it marks the confederation of Canada in 1867. For others, it represents the promise and excitement of starting anew in a different country, filled with potential and opportunity. For many, it serves as a reminder of the enduring and deeply rooted colonial violence that Indigenous communities across Turtle Island continue to endure. This day offers a chance to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonialism and to honour the essential work of truth and reconciliation. |
| July 14 | International Non-Binary People’s Day | International Non-Binary People’s Day is observed each year on July 14 to raise awareness of the issues faced by non-binary people around the world. First celebrated in 2012, the day was initiated by Katje van Loon, who chose the date for its position exactly halfway between International Women’s Day (March 8) and International Men’s Day (November 19). |
| July 29 | Dharma Day (Asalha Puja Day) | Asalha Puja, also known as Dharma Day, is an important Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Asadha (usually in July). It marks the day the Buddha gave his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath, where he shared key teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. This day also signifies the start of the Buddhist teaching tradition and the founding of the Sangha, the community of monks. |
| August 1 | Emancipation Day | On March 24, 2021, Canada officially designated August 1 as Emancipation Day, marking the day slavery was abolished across the British Empire in 1834. The day encourages Canadians to reflect on the history of Black and Indigenous enslavement in Canada and to continue fighting against racism. It honours the strength and resilience of Black communities in the country. |
| August 13 - August 16 | Obon | Obon is a Japanese holiday to honour and remember family members who have passed away. People believe their ancestors’ spirits come back to visit during this time. Families clean graves, offer food, light lanterns, and sometimes dance in special festivals called Bon Odori. It’s a time for remembering loved ones and spending time with family. |
| August 15 | National Acadian Day | The Acadian people, pioneers and builders of Canada, have celebrated Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881, the year of the first national Acadian convention in Memramcook, New Brunswick. In 2003, the Government of Canada passed the National Acadian Day Act to officially recognize the day. National Acadian Day is a time to celebrate the vibrant culture and heritage of Acadians in Canada. |
| August 25 - August 26 | Eid-Mawlid-un-Nabi | Eid Mawlid al-Nabi or Mawlid is the Islamic observance of the birth of the prophet Muhammad and may be acknowledged through family and social gatherings, decorations, or public processions. |
| August 28 | Raksha Bandhan | Raksha Bandhan (or Raksha Bandhana) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters, and families, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana (Shravan Poornima), or around July and August. This day is also called Brother and Sister Day.
|