Is Louis Riel Day a Public Holiday?
Louis Riel Day is a statutory holiday in the province of Manitoba, according to Holidays 2025. The celebration falls on the third Monday of February month. All businesses, retail stores, and shops, as well as the schools, and universities remain closed on this day. Public Transportations also do not follow their usual route. However, offices of the federal government continue to open on this day.
Louis Riel Day Holiday History in Canada
Louis Riel Day in Canada celebrates the heritage and history of the people of Manitoba by honouring the Canadian politician through this day. The third Monday of February is commonly known as Family Day in Canada and celebrated as Heritage Day in various provinces. In Manitoba, it reveres its founder and leader of the Métis people, Louis David Riel. Riel spent his life resisting and rebelling for the cause of the multi ancestral indigenous group of the Canadian Prairies. He fought for their rights and culture, even though he remained in controversy throughout his life. Due to his battles for the aboriginals of Canada, the province of Manitoba dedicates their Heritage Day to the man. Despite that, this day has no direct connection to any special event in Riel’s life history. Instead, schoolchildren chose this name during a competition.
Public Life on Louis Riel Day in Canada
As in many other provinces and territories of Canada, Manitoba also celebrates its Heritage Day on the third Monday of February. People spend the long weekend of Louis Riel Day relaxing, connecting with their history, and spending time with their family through numerous fun activities.
Things To Do On Louis Riel Day in Manitoba
If you are looking for some entertaining things to do on Louis Riel Day in Canada, then here is a list of activities that your family may enjoy while celebrating the holiday in the province of Manitoba:
1. Fishing
As in many other regions of Canada, fishing in Manitoba is also made license-free during the Heritage Day weekend. Therefore, whether you are a resident of the province or not, if you enjoy fishing and are looking for things to do on Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, then this is the way to go. Celebrate the day with your family, party alongside the banks of a river while waiting for your catch of the day or compete in the Falcon Lake Winter Fish-Off, or maybe enjoy ice fishing derby.
2. Winter Festival
The gorgeous terrains of Canada are a winter wonderland during the long weekend of Louis Riel Day. As a result, Manitoba hosts several winter festivals during this time. You can visit these fests and enjoy several activities that are planned, savour the local delicacies, delight in the sounds, shows, and snow, as well as see what the special is for Heritage Day. You can go to the Festival du Voyageur or have fun at one of the following fests:
Mennonite Heritage Village Winterfest, Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, Gimli Ice Festival, Morden’s Multicultural Winterfest, Canad Inns Winter Wonderland, Snowdance Festival, or Saint-Pierre-Jolys Winter Festival.
3. Winter Sports
Another way of celebrating Heritage Day throughout the country is with winter sports. The long weekend of February offers Canadians the opportunity to go out with their family and indulge in snow activities that they generally do not have sufficient time for. If you are still searching for things to do on Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, then you can choose from the following. Here is a list of activities held in the province, as well as places where you can enjoy them:
| Ice Fishing Derby | Kidfish Ice Derby, Lake of the Prairies Ice Fishing Derby at Asessippi Provincial Park, Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby | |||
| Toboggan Sliding | The Ice Chute in Winnipeg, Arctic Glacier Winter Park, Canadian Power Toboggan Championship at Beausejour | |||
| Snowboarding | Arctic Glacier Winter Park | |||
| Ice Skating | Arctic Glacier Winter Park, Canlan Ice Sports, Community Centre of Sturgeon House, Southdale, Corydon, and South Winnipeg, Gateway Recreation Centre, Skate the Lake, Ashern Carnival Weekend | |||
| Horse riding | Louis Riel Winter Horse Experience in Sagehill Stables, Winnipeg | |||
| Marathon | Actif Epica Ultra Marathon, Hypothermic Half Marathon | |||
| Snowshoeing | Manitoba ShowShoe Run | |||
| Snow Maze | A Maze In Corn, Saint Adolphe | |||
| Canoe Race | Wild Winter Canoe Race at Red River Trail | |||
| Sledding | Hudson Bay Quest from Churchill to Gillam | |||
Louis Riel Day Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mon | 18 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2020 | Mon | 17 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2021 | Mon | 15 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2022 | Mon | 21 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2023 | Mon | 20 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2024 | Mon | 19 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
| 2025 | Mon | 17 February | Louis Riel Day | Common Local Holiday |
FAQs
1. Why is Louis Riel important to Manitoba?
Louis Riel was the founder of the province of Manitoba and led two rebellions against the government to preserve the rights of the Métis people. He fought throughout his life and was later executed as he struggled to conserve the culture, traditions, and heritage of the Aboriginals of Canada.
2. What is open or closed on Louis Riel Day?
Louis Riel Day in Manitoba is a statutory holiday; therefore, all city services are closed or follow a Holiday schedule. However, malls, liquor marts, zoos, museums, and such attractions open for reduced time to celebrate Heritage Day.
3. How do other provinces celebrate Louis Riel Day in Canada?
The third Monday of February is collectively celebrated as Family day in Canada. However, in Manitoba it is known as Louis Riel Day, in Nova Scotia, it is Louis Riel Day, while Yukon also commemorates it as Yukon Heritage Day.
Tl;dr For those who only wish to know When is Louis Riel Day in 2025? The date is 17 February, Monday.
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