Flag days in Canada 2026 and 2027

Canada has no law that lists flag days, and the National Flag may be flown on every day of the year. What the federal government does set out is how the flag is flown on certain days at federal buildings and establishments: the Rules for half-masting the National Flag of Canada name the days on which the flag flies at half-mast, and the Canadian Heritage page on foreign flags names the days on which the Royal Union Flag flies beside it. According to Canadian Heritage, these rules are not mandatory for individuals or organizations, but many municipalities, schools and private flag owners follow them.

The days in the federal rules

All dates for 2026 and 2027

The table shows every day with its date for this year and next. The movable days follow fixed rules: Commonwealth Day is the second Monday in March, Victoria Day the Monday immediately preceding 25 May under the Holidays Act, and the two memorial days in September fall on the second and the last Sunday of the month. Québec’s Jour du Drapeau is included for Québec.

National Flag of Canada Day

At the stroke of noon on 15 February 1965, the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered on Parliament Hill and the new maple leaf flag was raised for the first time. On the same date in 1996, National Flag of Canada Day was declared. Canadian Heritage marks the day each year with activities and material for schools and communities. The history of the flag is in the guide to the Canadian flag.

The half-masting days

Section 11 of the half-masting rules lists seven days on which the flag flies at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada, including the Peace Tower. For the two September memorial days and for Remembrance Day, the rules add that where a memorial service is held, half-masting can follow the order of service; at the National War Memorial and other places of remembrance on 11 November, the flag can be half-masted at 11:00. On Vimy Ridge Day, 9 April, the flag on the Peace Tower flies at half-mast; the Vimy Ridge Day Act of 2003 itself states that the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower shall be lowered to half-mast on that day. The procedure is described in the guide to half-mast.

Victoria Day and Canada Day at full mast

Section 19 of the rules states that even when the flag is at half-mast for another reason, it is flown at full mast on the two legal holidays created under the Holidays Act: Victoria Day and Canada Day. The exceptions are the deaths of the Sovereign, the Governor General and the Prime Minister. Canada Day is 1 July; when 1 July is a Sunday, the legal holiday is 2 July. More in the guide to flags on public holidays.

The Royal Union Flag and the United Nations flag

On Commonwealth Day, Victoria Day and 11 December, the anniversary of the Statute of Westminster, the Royal Union Flag is flown beside the National Flag of Canada from sunrise to sunset at federal buildings, airports and military bases, where there are at least two flagpoles. The National Flag is never replaced by it. On United Nations Day, 24 October, the United Nations flag flies with the National Flag on Parliament Hill. More in the guide to foreign flags in Canada.

Québec’s Jour du Drapeau

In Québec, 21 January is the Jour du Drapeau. On that day in 1948, the fleurdelisé first flew on the Hôtel du Parlement in Québec City, and the Gouvernement du Québec marks the anniversary each year. The flag of Québec is described in the guide to flag types.

Half-masting announced by notice

Beyond the fixed days, flags are half-masted on the death of the Sovereign, a Governor General, a Prime Minister and other persons named in the rules. Canadian Heritage publishes a half-masting notice for each occasion, with the reason, the places and the period. More in the guide to flags in mourning.