Many Christians in Canada remember Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This day is also the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

Is Palm Sunday a Public Holiday?

Palm Sunday is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, March 28, 2021, and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Canada.

What Do People Do?

Many Christian churches hold special services on Palm Sunday where congregation members receive blessed palm leaves, which symbolize victory and joy. Palm Sunday palms are usually kept and used to make the Ash Wednesday ashes for the next year. Service readings focus on the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the events in his life that took place, including his suffering, prior to his death on the cross.

Churches may involve children by blessing them, including children’s songs and hymns, or having special Sunday school sessions. Some people within the Catholic community and other Christian denominations devote their time learning about the story of Jesus Christ’s suffering in the lead up to his death and resurrection. Some university chapel choirs sing special songs on Palm Sunday.

Public Life

Palm Sunday is not a federal holiday in Canada. However, it is held on a Sunday, which is a non-school day and non-working day for many Canadians.

Background

Palm Sunday is observed among many Christian churches as part of Holy Week in Canada. It is the last Sunday during the Lenten period, as well as the Sunday before Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday events and traditions have been observed in Canada for many years. Newspaper articles as far back as the late 19th century described Palm Sunday observations such as the blessing of palms at church services in cities such as Winnipeg, in Manitoba.