A holiday that depends on the weather. Boat races that date as far back as the early 1800s. These traditions make Newfoundland’s Regatta Day one of the coolest holidays on the Canadian calendar. Usually celebrated on the first Wednesday in August, Regatta Day, known also as Royal St. John’s Regatta; is closely associated with the British monarchy.
On Regatta Day, festivities and rowing rule the day in the provincial capital of St. John’s — IF the weather cooperates. City officials meet that very morning to decide whether or not the holiday will commence. Too blustery for a rowing competition on the city’s historic Quidi Vidi Lake? No holiday. Sunshine? Take the day off. Oh, Canada.
