Canada
Canada is a sovereign country in North America, whose form of government is the federal parliamentary
monarchy. Its territory is organized into ten provinces and three territories. Its capital is the city of Ottawa
and the most populous city is Toronto.
Located at the northern tip of the North American subcontinent, it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the
east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and north to the Arctic Ocean. It shares a border with the United
States to the south, and to the northwest with its federated state Alaska. It is the second largest country
in the world after Russia, and also the northernmost. It occupies about half of the territory of North America.
Due to its climate, it is one of the 15 countries with the lowest population density in the world, with
approximately 4 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Name: Canada
Location: located in the extreme north of the continent
Main tourist cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec, Calgary, Ottawa, Whustler, Banff,
Victoria and Edmonton.
Cultural events: https://www.nomadasexperience.com/canada/dias-festivos-en-canada/
Canada establishes 8 federal holidays or holidays.
• New Year
Date of celebration: January 1 (holiday)
Perhaps the most common date of celebration in most countries of the world: the arrival of the New Year,
is also celebrated in a massive and pompous way in Canada. In every city or town in the country, from
December 29 or even before, you will find people organizing the plans and celebrations that will take place
on the night of December 31 and the morning of January 1.
Although this celebration comes at the superb beginning of the winter season (as in all other countries of
the northern hemisphere), do not be too surprised if you find people braving the snow and the cold.
You will see them playing or making the famous snowman, buying dinner to consume for their families
and, in many cases, massively filling the squares, parks, river embankments and stadiums to attend the
famous New Year's Eve parties and concerts.
These massive events usually include Christmas music, lights and lavish fireworks. During this
effervescence of joy, Canadians usually sing the famous "Auld Lang Syne", a traditional song of Scottish
origin, and which serves as a prelude to a whole year full of new moments.
It is good to clarify that January 1 is a holiday throughout the country, so you will not have to worry much
about going to work or study that day (unless it is required of you).
• The Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day in Canada
Date of celebration: February 2
If there is a fun, curious and uniquely American tradition, that tradition is the famous Groundhog Day.
In Canada, this celebration comes in the middle of winter, and has the same meaning as in the United
States: according to farming tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its burrow on February 2 and does not
see its shadow on the ground (since the day it is cloudy), the marmot will leave its nest and this will mean
that winter will soon be over.
But, if the groundhog sees its shadow on the ground since the day is sunny, this animal will return to its
nest and this will tell Canadians that winter still has several more weeks to go.
The certainty of the forecasts that can be drawn from the behavior of this beautiful animal is still being
debated, however, since Canada is a country notoriously marked by severe winters, observing the
behavior of the marmot on February 2 becomes an incentive. for many when the cold gets worse. The
event receives massive media coverage, and in some provinces there is a specific marmot kept in a
reserve that makes the most reliable predictions.
• Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Day in Canada
Date of celebration: Second Monday of March
This is one of the celebrations that may seem strange to those of us who are not native Canadians, since
Commonwealth Day is a tradition in Canada and in the countries belonging to the Commonwealth of
Nations. This celebration recalls the countries that once all belonged to the British Empire, and that
currently share values, traditions and linguistic features, a legacy of that imperial past.
On that day, Queen Elizabeth of England issues a greeting broadcast live on public channels. Likewise,
the children in the schools carry out special activities, they dress in typical attire of each country of the
Commonwealth and there are public debates about the Ango-speaking heritage. As expected, this day is
not as celebrated in the French-speaking provinces: Quebec and New Brunswick.
• Queen Victoria Day
queen victoria day
Date of celebration: The Monday preceding May 25 (holiday)
Similar to the Commonwealth Day celebration, Canada has a public holiday celebrating the existence of
the Canadian monarchy. Initially established as a tribute to the birthday of the famous Queen Victoria of
England, but today this holiday reminds of the alignment of the country with the roots and traditions of the
United Kingdom.
It is necessary to clarify that this day is not a holiday in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
and in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you are in Quebec and New Brunswick, this day is a holiday, but it
celebrates other traditions, outside of the British heritage.
In the provinces where Queen Victoria Day is celebrated it includes parades, musical events, political
speeches, food festivals and military parades. In provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia,
celebrations include parades by minorities such as the Irish, Turkish and Chinese, showing the symbiosis
between these cultures and Canadian traditions.
• Canada Day
Canada's day. Canada important dates
Date of celebration: July 1 (holiday)
This is Canada's national celebration. It is equivalent, in our Latin American countries, to the day of
independence. Since this day takes place in the middle of summer in most provinces of the country, this
festivity is usually celebrated outdoors, in parks, patios, gardens and public squares.
Canadians often have grills or barbecues in their gardens. Cities and towns organize musical events,
parades, air and sea shows, and festivals. Canadians abroad also often celebrate this day in the country
where they are.
Given the federal nature of this celebration, Canada Day usually causes some resistance in the French-
speaking provinces, especially in Quebec, where its celebration on June 24 tends to have more relevance
than this federal celebration.
• Labor Day
Holidays in Canada: Labor Day
Date of celebration: First Monday of September (holiday)
Unlike much of the world, where Labor Day is celebrated on May 1, in Canada, given a tradition dating
back to the nineteenth century, this celebration of working men and women takes place in September,
marking the end of summer. every year.
In addition to the events known in other countries, such as marches on labor and union demands, on this
day Canadians and residents often enjoy the last weekend of summer break before entering schools,
universities and returning to work. .
A national tradition is to attend or watch on television the famous Labor Day Classic, Canadian football
games. There are various matches depending on the region, and fans often dress up in their sports
paraphernalia to celebrate the sporting event.
• Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day in Canada
Date of Celebration: Second Monday of October (holiday)
Although the celebration of Thanksgiving Day is better known in its American version, you should know
that it is also celebrated in Canada, although with some notable differences.
The origin and reason for this celebration has to do with the journey and arrival of the first European
explorers in Canadian lands in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. A dinner in gratitude to God for
keeping them safe during their journey began to be held a few centuries later.
Unlike the American holiday, Thanksgiving Day takes place in October. They are similar in that families
gather en masse and travel from one point to another country to have dinner together. However, the
Canadian version of this celebration does not involve large street or government events, nor is it
accompanied by massive purchases in the malls, as it is in the United States.
• Remembrance or Memory Day
Important dates and days in Canada
Date of celebration: November 11 (holiday in most provinces)
Although not a public holiday, Remembrance Day is a popular holiday in most Canadian provinces. This
day remembers the hundreds of thousands of Canadian soldiers who have participated and those who
have died in the different wars that the country has fought abroad.
With a deep emotional connotation, Remembrance Day is marked by public commemorations, military
parades in Ottawa and minutes of silence at 11 in the morning for a large part of the population. You will
easily notice this because that day, when you walk through the streets of any city, you will see many
people using a pin with a figure of the wild poppy flower, symbol of this commemoration.
This day is not a holiday in the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, although people do celebrate
it individually by wearing the poppy pin.
• Christmas day and Boxing day
christmas in canada
Celebration Dates: December 25 and 26 (holidays)
That's how it is! Unlike many of our Latin American countries, Canadians do not celebrate Christmas on
the day and night of December 24. The official day for Canada and several other English-speaking
countries is December 25.
Just as it happens in our countries, this festivity celebrates the Christian tradition of the birth of Jesus
Christ. On this day, millions of families gather to eat, give and receive gifts and participate in some street
musical and artistic events. Since this festivity arrives at the beginning of winter, it is traditional (and long-
awaited) to see snow fall on that day. There are cases of Canadians feeling sad if they don't see snow on
the streets on Christmas Day!
A celebration that seems strange to us is the famous Boxing day. It takes place on December 26, and it
is the date that hundreds of thousands of Canadians take advantage of to go shopping with their families.
Shopping malls and stores are filled with shoppers trying to buy gifts that they may not have been able to
buy before Christmas.
Typical food: https://www.nomadasexperience.com/canada/comida-tipica-de-canada/
• Putin
Typical food Canada- Poutine
Poutine is a delicious dish made with french fries, grain cheese and an exquisite meat sauce known as
gravy. It is the typical Quebec dish, since it was created in this city in 1950. If you are a vegetarian, don't
worry, there is a variation made with almond or carrot sauce. You can find this delicious dish throughout
Canada and it is considered a fast food that is served in foodtrucks, but also in typical restaurants.
• tourtiere
Typical food Canada - Tourtiere
This delicious dish consists of an artisan bread dough and pieces of meat cut into squares, generally the
meat is venison, lamb or pork, although you can also order it mixed. Tourtiere is also known as pâté à
viande and its origins can be traced back to 1840, when it appears in a Canadian cookbook called La
Cuisine. This dish is typical at Christmas, and is consumed mainly in the Quebec region, where there are
strong cultural ties with France. So if you plan to spend Christmas and New Year in Canada, you can not
stop trying this delicious dish.
• Maple Syrup
Typical food Canada - Maple Syrup
Have you ever seen the Canadian flag? you may have noticed a red leaf present in the middle. From that
tree comes our next signature dish, Maple Syrup.
This dish is a sensation for Canadians, its texture is similar to that of honey and it is usually put on waffles,
pancakes and even ice cream. It is a natural food that has no extra condiments or preservatives.
It is usually cooked after extracting it from the tree and is accompanied by fruit or a cup of hot chocolate.
It is also good to give as a souvenir since it is Canadian cultural heritage.
• Nanaimobar
Typical food Canada - Nanaimo bar
The Nanaimo Bar is perhaps the most consumed dessert in Canada. It usually comes in 3 layers of
squares based on cookies, chocolate and vanilla cream, a real delicacy. You can find this dessert in
restaurants, supermarkets and food trucks.
The dessert is native to British Columbia and is known not only in Canada, but also in the United States
and England.
• Peameal bacon
Typical food Canada - Peameal bacon
This dish is made with pork loin bacon cut into thin layers and rolled in cornmeal. It is a typical Toronto
dish, if you live in Toronto you cannot miss this delicious dish. Peameal Bacon became popular in World
War II, since Canada in the 40s was the main exporter of pork to the United Kingdom. . Today it is served
in sandwiches and is very popular in local restaurants in Toronto and Montreal.
• Montreal Bagels
Typical food Canada- Montreal Bagels
Montreal Bagels are made with ground wheat flour, it is a traditional bread and a very popular dessert to
eat at Christmas. The shape of the Bagel or Beigel is reminiscent of donuts. Unlike donuts, which are
sweet, Bagels are salty and crunchy, they are usually cooked with water at first and then put in the oven.
The filling is important and is usually made with salmon, cheeses and even meats such as pork or turkey.
• Smoked Meat
Typical food Canada- Smoked Meat
Originally from Montreal, it is a delicacy made with smoked meat accompanied by bread and a lot of
mustard, it is shaped like a sandwich and usually has cheddar cheese and lettuce. You can choose the
meat to your liking but the most traditional is pork or cow.
It is seasoned with pepper and spices such as coriander, garlic and mustard sauce. Smoked Meat is often
served with Canadian wine and is a main course in many restaurants.
• Calgary Beef Hash
Typical food Canada- Calgary beef hash
Canada, as you know, is the largest country in the American continent, being such a large country, there
is a wide variety of foods and ways of preparing them. On the coast they eat different types of seafood
and fish, in the center of the country meat predominates. The Calgary region gives us the Calgary beef
hash, a delicious smoked hamburger with the best meats in the region. This dish is usually served roasted
and is accompanied by beans, potatoes and salad.
• Pounding – Chomeur
Typical food Canada- Pounding Chomeur
Typical dessert of the Quebec region. This dish became popular due to the crisis of the 1920s that affected
millions of Canadians, being an easy dish to prepare and with cheap ingredients, its consumption spread
throughout the country.
The Pounding – Chomeur or “pudding of the unemployed”, is very loved by Canadians, to the point that
there are songs in his honor. It is prepared with butter, flour, eggs and milk, it is usually served with vanilla
ice cream or maple syrup. A delight of typical Canadian food.
• Fiddleheads: typical vegan Canadian food
Typical food Canada- Fiddleheads
This dish comes to us from the New Brunswick region and is made with ripe fern leaves, the traditional
way of preparing them is roasted, rolled and accompanied by vegetables and potatoes.
The name of this dish comes from a comparison with the head of a violin, and its flavor is similar to that of
asparagus. It is one of the healthiest dishes in Canadian cuisine and one of the favorites by vegans as it
has a good source of vitamin A, C and Omega 3. Ideal for maintaining the figure.
Main tourist
cities
OTTAWA VANCOUVER
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, in the province Vancouver is a bustling seaport on the west coast of
of Ontario in the southeast, near the city of British Columbia and is among Canada's densest and
Montreal and the border with the United States. most ethnically diverse cities. It is a popular filming
Located on the Ottawa River, at its center is destination and is surrounded by mountains, as well
Parliament Hill, with imposing Victorian as having an active arts, theater and music scene.
architecture and museums, such as the National
Gallery of Canada, with notable collections of
indigenous and other Canadian art.
QUEBEC
CANADA
Quebec City is located on the St. Lawrence River in
the largely French-speaking Canadian province of
TORONTO Quebec. It dates from 1608 and has a fortified
Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario, is colonial core, Old Quebec and the Place Royale, with
Canada is located in the extreme a major Canadian city located along the stone buildings and narrow streets..
north of the American continent northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. It is a
dynamic metropolis with a center of tall
skyscrapers, all towered over by the iconic CN
Tower.
MONTREAL
Montreal is the largest city in the province of
Quebec in Canada. It is located on an island in the
San Lorenzo River and its name comes from Mont-
Royal, the three-peaked hill that sits in its center.
QUEEN VICTORIA
Typical food
DAY
Date of celebration: The Monday
preceding May 25 (holiday)
CANADA DAY Putin
Date of celebration: July 1 Tourtiere
(holiday) Maple Syrup
Nanaimobar
LABOR DAY Peameal bacon
Date of celebration: First Montreal Bagels
Monday of September (holiday) Smoked Meat
Calgary Beef Hash
Cultural THANKSGIVING DAY
Pounding – Chomeur
Fiddleheads: typical vegan
Events
Date of Celebration: Second Canadian food
Monday of October (holiday)
NEW YEAR
Date of celebration: January 1 REMEMBRANCE OR
(holiday) MEMORY DAY
THE GROUNDHOG Date of celebration: November
11 (holiday in most provinces)
DAY
Date of celebration: February 2
CHRISTMAS DAY AND
COMMONWEALTH
BOXING DAY
DAY
Celebration Dates: December 25
Date of celebration: Second
and 26 (holidays)
Monday of March
