One of the best things about August in Canada, other than the warm summer weather, is the fact that we have a statutory holiday on the first Monday of the month in most provinces, which means you get to extend your weekend by an extra day and have a shorter work week afterward.
Why not take advantage of the Civic Holiday this year, during Canada’s 150? Explore a new part of your city, trek to a neighbouring province or even take a short trip out of the country to make the most of the extra day off.
Here are our top 5 ways to celebrate the long weekend in August:
- Put the “civic” in Civic Holiday by finding out what’s on offer in your town or city. Most municipalities host community events on the holiday Monday including breakfasts, fireworks displays, and cultural or historical festivals.
- Head to a lake, river or the seaside for a beach vacation. You’ll find a host of places to stay including everything from campsites to cottages to luxury resorts. Either way you play it, it’s one of the best ways to spend the warmest long weekend of the year.
- Check out what’s on offer in Nunavut or the North West Territories for their Civic Holidays or Prince Edward Island for its Natal Day. Some of Canada’s most far-flung provinces celebrate a holiday Monday in August and you’ll never know what you’ll find until you go there.
- Tack on an extra day before or after and use the Civic Holiday to plan a quick summer getaway to a whole host of international destinations across the US, Caribbean, Mexico or even Iceland.
- Get together with friends and extended family for a picnic or barbeque. Find a National or Provincial Park that everyone can get to and plan a day of packable food, drinks and outdoor play to enjoy together.