If you’re unfamiliar with Boxing Day, don’t worry, it’s a British-inspired public holiday on December 26th. Known in the United States as St Stephens Day, Boxing Day provides a day to recover from the excesses of Christmas in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, including Canada.
Like the UK, Boxing Day in Canada provides families a chance to get together once again. However, if that doesn’t appeal, Canadians have a couple of other Boxing Day pastimes available. December 26th has become a second Black Friday, where shops host gigantic sales. Additionally, two major ice hockey events occur for sports enthusiasts.
Boxing Day in Canada is officially a Federal Holiday; however, it isn’t observed in Quebec, nor is it statutory in Alberta and British Columbia. In all other provinces and territories, banks and government offices are closed, and the mail is not delivered.
Boxing Day gathers friends and family for turkey sandwiches, red wine, and ginger cocktail drinks for those who enjoy the family surroundings. But, for those who don’t, there are two alternative Canadian past-times they can choose to do instead.
For Canadians, there is only one true sport; ice hockey. Boxing Day in Canada is no different, and in fact, December 26th is a close second on the ice hockey calendar behind the Stanley Cup in June.
Team Canada is playing HC Sparta Praha in the Spengler Cup, kickstarting a day of ice hockey events this Boxing Day in Canada. Played in Davos, Switzerland, the face-off starts around lunchtime on Boxing Day. As defending champions, expectations are high for Team Canada to bring the title home again in 2022.
Boxing Day then serves up a second helping of ice hockey as Canada starts its defense of its IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Seeking their twentieth youth title, the Canadian’s campaign begins against the highly ranked Czech Republic.
For many, Boxing Day in Canada caters to the nation’s second favorite hobby – shopping. Like the United Kingdom, Canadian shops open their doors to thousands of customers with the promise of massive price cuts and Boxing Day bargains.
Every December 26th, winter-hardened Canadians set their alarm clocks ready for a shopping extravaganza. Just like Black Friday, Boxing Day witnesses pre-dawn queues of Canadians eager to secure a discount, or a last-minute present for their visiting in-laws.
While this Boxing Day sales phenomenon isn’t observed in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, Boxing Day sales have become an annual Canadian national pastime everywhere else.
Whether you’re in Canada visiting family, looking to spend the day watching ice hockey, or wanting to stay downtown to be the first in the Boxing Day sales queues, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts will have the perfect room for you this Boxing Day in Canada.