Alberta has nine general holidays under the Employment Standards Code. Whether an employee gets holiday pay depends on their length of service and whether the holiday falls on a day they normally work.
Alberta statutory holidays 2026
Holidays in bold are added on top of the five observed across Canada.
Rules for employers
Who qualifies for holiday pay
• The employee has worked for you for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months before the holiday.
• The holiday falls on a day they would normally work, or they work it. As a rule of thumb, a day is a regular workday if the employee worked that weekday in at least 5 of the last 9 weeks.
• They don't miss their scheduled shift on the holiday, or their last shift before or first shift after it, without your consent.
If an employee works on a holiday
If the holiday is a regular workday, you choose one of two options: pay the average daily wage plus 1.5× their wage rate for hours worked, or pay regular wages for the day and give a paid day off later,
before their next annual vacation. If the holiday isn't a regular workday, pay 1.5× for hours worked.
If a holiday falls on a day off or during vacation
Nothing is owed if the holiday isn't a regular workday and the employee doesn't work. If it falls during vacation, the employee gets an extra paid day off. Canada Day moves to July 2 when July 1 is a Sunday; no other holidays move. In 2026, all nine general holidays fall on weekdays.
Hiring or running payroll in Alberta?
Borderless AI applies Alberta's holiday rules and pay calculations automatically. Hire in Alberta with our Employer of Record or run Canada payroll with Borderless AI. For other provinces, see Canadian statutory holidays by province.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heritage Day a stat holiday in Alberta?
No. Heritage Day (the first Monday in August) is optional. Employers can choose to give it.
Is Boxing Day a stat holiday in Alberta?
No. Boxing Day is optional in Alberta.
Do part-time employees get holiday pay in Alberta?
Yes, if they have worked 30 workdays in the last 12 months and the holiday falls on a day they normally work.
