Valentine’s Day 2024 in Canada

Is Valentine’s Day a Public Holiday in Canada?

Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in Canada, according to Holidays 2024. Most businesses, stores, and shops as well as all schools, universities, and government offices remain open on this Day. As a matter of fact, many of these establishments could be seen adorned in pink and red - the colours symbolizing love as well as the Day that commemorates it. Hotels and restaurants are usually busier, tending to couples celebrating it, and Public Transportations also follow their customary schedule.

Valentine’s Day History & Traditions

Valentine’s Day history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance. It is believed that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine – however, which St Valentine that would be is unclear. Several stories are prevalent in various places. As a result, the Day is also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine or Saint Valentine’s Day. There were several Saint Valentines in the early Christian ages, but the ones for whom a feast was declared in AD 496 were St Valentine of Rome who was a priest and that of Terni, who was a bishop. Stories for various Valentines have mixed up over time, but some of the basics remain. These include:

• The Roman Emperor Claudius executed St Valentine for helping persecuted Christians. The Emperor asked Valentine to convert to paganism, and the Saint instead tried to get Claudius to convert to Christianity.


• One St. Valentine supposedly helped young soldiers get married when law forbade the marriage of those enlisted in the army. He was executed for this. Some stories even claim that St Valentine would carve out little hearts out of parchment to remind these men of their vows and love of God.


• Another St. Valentine (probably one of the two above) is said to have cured the blind daughter of his jailor, with the power of his faith. As a result, the entire family converted to Christianity, and the daughter planted a pink-blossomed almond tree over or near his grave.


• St. Valentine wrote a last letter to his beloved and signed it ’Your Valentine’, which later gave birth to Valentine’s Day tradition of saying “Be my Valentine” or “Your Valentine”.


• St Valentine is said to have worn an amethyst ring, which had a carving of the Cupid on it. Amethyst is said to attract love and is the birthstone of February.

It is possible that each of these things was done by and happened to the same person, or could be stories from two or more different St Valentines. These stories more or less gave rise to numerous Valentine’s Day traditions or gave weight to them, like the use of little hearts.
On the other hand, many believe that Valentine’s Day is simply the Christianised version of the Pagan festival of fertility, Lupercalia which falls in mid-February.

In any case, Valentine’s Day in Canada gained popularity in the mid-nineteenth century. Regardless of its origins, it is celebrated in modern fashion – through candlelit dinners, Valentine’s Day gifts, Valentine’s Day flowers, and other modes of expressing love.

Valentine’s Week in Canada

As in most other countries, Valentine’s Day in Canada is prefaced with an entire week filled with romantic gestures. Celebrations begin from 7 February which is celebrated as Rose Day and culminates on 14 February, Valentine’s Day. Here is the complete list of Valentine’s Week as celebrated in Canada:

• 7 February: Rose Day
• 8 February: Propose Day
• 9 February: Chocolate Day
• 10 February: Teddy Day
• 11 February: Promise Day
• 12 February: Hug Day
• 13 February: Kiss Day
• 14 February: Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has more or less become a commercial holiday in most places. As a result, those who are single around this time often find themselves depressed, feeling like outcasts, or even angry at the commemoration. As a result, much like the Valentine Week in Canada, an Anti-Valentine Week has also cropped up. The Day of Anti-Valentine Week in Canada are:

• 15 February: Slap Day
• 16 February: Kick Day
• 17 February: Perfume Day
• 18 February: Flirt Day


• 19 February: Confession Day
• 20 February: Missing Day
• 21 February: Breakup Day

It is worth noting that although the days of Anti-Valentine Week seem harsh, however, they are just a way of having fun and celebrating being single. This allows those who are not in a relationship to realize that they are happy, whether attached or not. Moreover, with time, Valentine’s Day in Canada has moved away from only romantic love. People prefer giving gifts to all their loved ones – friends, family, relatives, and so on.

Public Life on Valentine’s Day in Canada

The celebration of Valentine’s Day in Canada doesn’t differ much from other places where this holiday is popular. The classic customs include giving Valentine’s Day flowers to your beloved (usually roses, or something pink or red), offering them confectionery (chocolates etc. in heart shape), Valentine’s Day gifts, and dining together in a romantic setting. Heart-shaped gifts, teddy bears, cakes, etc. are also some customary gifts, and so are clothes and jewellery. Many couples even choose this Day to take the next step in their relationship and grandly propose to their partner. Apart from this, there are a variety of things you can do to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Canada. People are always searching for some new and unique Valentine’s Day ideas. Here are a few you can try:

• Movies at a drive-in: Retro and/or romantic movies are a hit amongst couples.
• Spend time together at a couple’s spa or lounge.
• Do something new together, like painting, skating, dancing, cooking, etc.
• Find a place for a candlelight dinner and then go stargazing.
• Go to a wine tasting: classy yet romantic, a perfect date
• Stay in and plan the perfect date indoors, starting from breakfast-in-bed to indoor picnic, and then a candlelight dinner at the balcony, porch, or roof.

Valentine’s Day Flowers

Sending flowers has been a way of communicating one’s emotions since the Victorian Era. Below is a list of some beautiful and romantic Valentine’s Day flowers for you to choose from and send to your beloved.

The roses are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers, but what does your bouquet say? Let us know the meaning of each colour of the Rose:

Red	Romantic love, beauty, respect, and courage.
Pink	Friendship, appreciation, perfect happiness, admiration, grace, and gentleness.
Yellow	Friendship, joy, new beginnings, and remembrance. If the yellow rose has red tips, then that indicates falling in love.
White	True love, soulmates, purity, humility, reverence, youthfulness,innocence, and charm.
Peach	Intimacy
Orange/ Coral	Passion, enthusiasm, desire, and fascination.
Lilac	Love at first sight, enchantment

Other Valentine’s Day flowers include:

• Peonies signify romance, bashfulness, and prosperity.
• Red Chrysanthemums stand for love and passion.
• Ranunculus or Buttercups imply charm, radiance, and attraction.
• Gerberas indicate cheerfulness, beauty, purity, and innocence.
• Tulips stand for elegance, comfort, and warmth.
• Peruvian lilies promise devotion and friendship.
• Oriental lilies are for sophistication, class, beauty, and style.
• Orchids signify not only love and beauty, but also strength and luxury in it, as well as indicate seduction.
• Pink Carnations are best for a recently developed (or developing) relationship as they stand for fascination and new love.
• Irises in their dark blue or purple colour imply royalty as well as faith.
• Daisies are indications of loyalty, innocence, beauty, simplicity, and patience.
• Purple Lilacs also imply new love and youthful innocence and exuberance.
• Gillyflowers or stock flowers signify content and happy life.
• Forget-me-nots clearly express a never-ending and true love.
• Bluebells purport warmth, care, kindness, and humility.

Valentine’s Day Observances

FAQs

Valentine’s Day Celebrations in Other Countries

• Valentine’s Day in the United States
• Valentine’s Day Celebrations Around the World

  Tl;dr For those who only wish to know When is Valentine’s Day in 2024? The date is 14 February, बुधवार.
  
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