What is the French name for Canada Day?

The French name for Canada Day is Fête du Canada.

The phrase literally means “Canada’s celebration” or “Canada festival,” and it is the standard French name used for the national holiday. Canada is officially bilingual, so federal institutions and many public celebrations use both “Canada Day” and “Fête du Canada.” In French-language contexts, the holiday is observed on July 1, just as it is in English-speaking parts of the country.

The holiday was formerly called Dominion Day in English and Jour de la Confédération in French. “Canada Day” became official in 1982, replacing the older name as Canada adopted the Constitution Act, 1982. The change also avoided the awkwardness of translating “Dominion Day” into modern French.

Fête nationale can be a tempting answer because it means “national holiday,” but in Canada it is more strongly associated with Quebec’s June 24 holiday, the Fête nationale du Québec. Jour de la Patrie is likewise connected with Quebec’s National Patriots’ Day, not Canada’s July 1 national day.