TL;DR: Terry Fox Day is Manitoba’s name for the August civic holiday, observed on the first Monday of August each year. In 2025, the province renamed the holiday to honour Terry Fox, the Winnipeg-born cancer research advocate whose Marathon of Hope captured the hearts of Canadians. In 2026, Terry Fox Day falls on Monday, August 3.
Every August, Canadians get a long weekend to enjoy the last stretch of summer. Most provinces simply call it the “civic holiday” and leave it at that. Manitoba does something different.
Since 2015, Manitoba has officially named its August long weekend “Terry Fox Day”—a deliberate tribute to one of the most remarkable Canadians who ever lived. For many Manitobans, the holiday is more than a day off. It’s a moment to remember a young man from Winnipeg who refused to let cancer define what was possible.
This post covers everything you need to know about Terry Fox Day 2026: when it falls, why Manitoba adopted the name, and what Terry Fox’s legacy means for Canadians today.
When Is Terry Fox Day 2026?
Terry Fox Day 2026 falls on Monday, August 3, 2026.
The holiday is observed on the first Monday of August each year, giving Manitobans a three-day weekend at the height of summer. Banks, government offices, and many businesses are closed on this day. Schools are out for summer, so the holiday primarily affects workplaces and public services.
If you’re planning travel, errands, or appointments around the long weekend, it’s worth checking ahead. Retail hours, transit schedules, and restaurant availability can vary, particularly in smaller communities across the province.
What Is Terry Fox Day, and Why Does Manitoba Observe It?
Terry Fox Day is Manitoba’s official name for the August civic holiday—a designation the province adopted in 2015 to honour Terry Fox, the Winnipeg-born athlete and cancer research advocate.
Most Canadian provinces observe a civic holiday in early August, but each gives it a different name. Ontario calls it Simcoe Day (in Toronto) or the Civic Holiday. British Columbia celebrates it as British Columbia Day. New Brunswick marks it as New Brunswick Day. Manitoba’s choice to name the holiday after Terry Fox reflects the province’s deep connection to his story and legacy.
The renaming wasn’t arbitrary. Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg on July 28, 1958, before his family moved to British Columbia when he was a child. His roots in Manitoba gave the province a meaningful reason to claim him—and to use a public holiday as a permanent reminder of what he stood for.
Who Was Terry Fox?
Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, at age 18. His right leg was amputated above the knee in 1977. Rather than retreat from public life, Fox trained for over a year and then set out to run across Canada on a prosthetic leg.
He called it the Marathon of Hope.
Fox began his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on April 12, 1980, dipping his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean before heading west. His goal was to raise money for cancer research—one dollar for every Canadian, which at the time meant raising $24 million.
He ran an average of 42 kilometres per day, the equivalent of a full marathon, through rain, headwinds, and physical exhaustion. For 143 days, he kept going. By the time he reached Thunder Bay, Ontario, in September 1980, cancer had spread to his lungs. He was forced to stop.
Terry Fox passed away on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22. He never finished his run—but what he started didn’t end.
What Did the Marathon of Hope Accomplish?
Fox’s run raised more than $24 million for cancer research during and immediately after his lifetime. That number has grown exponentially since then.
The Terry Fox Foundation, established after his death, has raised over $850 million for cancer research as of recent years, according to the Foundation’s own reporting. Annual Terry Fox Runs take place in communities across Canada and in more than 30 countries worldwide, making it one of the largest single-day fundraisers for cancer research on the planet.
The Marathon of Hope became a national symbol—not of tragedy, but of determination. Fox showed Canadians that one person, running on a prosthetic leg through some of the country’s most punishing terrain, could change what the country believed was possible.
Why Does the August Civic Holiday Honour Terry Fox in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s decision to name the August holiday after Terry Fox wasn’t just sentimental. It was a deliberate act of collective memory.
Public holidays carry meaning. By naming the holiday after Terry Fox, Manitoba signalled that his contribution to Canadian life—to the fight against cancer, to the idea that courage looks like putting one foot in front of the other when everything hurts—deserved permanent recognition in the provincial calendar.
Other forms of recognition exist across Canada. Fox has been inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. His image appeared on a Canadian stamp. Statues of him stand in Thunder Bay and at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. But a named public holiday gives the tribute a living quality. Every year, on the first Monday of August, Manitobans are reminded of who he was and what he did.
How Do Canadians Mark Terry Fox Day?
There’s no single, mandated way to observe Terry Fox Day. For most Manitobans, it’s a day off that coincides with the warmest stretch of the Canadian summer.
That said, the spirit of the day invites reflection. Some communities use the long weekend to organise local Terry Fox Runs or fundraising events, though the official annual Terry Fox Run typically takes place in September. Others simply share his story with family members, particularly children who may not yet know it.
The Terry Fox Foundation’s website offers resources for schools, communities, and individuals who want to learn more or contribute to cancer research in his name.
Terry Fox Day 2026 Across Canada: A Quick Comparison
While Manitoba calls it Terry Fox Day, other provinces and territories observe the first Monday of August under different names. Here’s a quick breakdown for 2026:
- Manitoba – Terry Fox Day (Monday, August 3, 2026)
- Ontario – Civic Holiday (observed locally; some municipalities use different names)
- British Columbia – British Columbia Day
- Alberta – Heritage Day
- New Brunswick – New Brunswick Day
- Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Day
- Nova Scotia – Natal Day (in Halifax)
- Prince Edward Island – Civic Holiday
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut do not observe a statutory holiday on this date, though local variations exist.
A Legacy That Outran the Marathon
Terry Fox set out to run across Canada to prove that cancer research mattered and that ordinary people could do extraordinary things. He didn’t finish the run. But the distance he covered—5,373 kilometres from Newfoundland to Northern Ontario—changed the country.
Manitoba’s decision to name its August long weekend in his honour is a quiet but meaningful acknowledgement. Not of grief, but of inspiration. The holiday says: this person was here, this person mattered, and we don’t want to forget.
Terry Fox Day 2026 falls on Monday, August 3. Whether you spend it at a lake, at a barbecue, or simply at rest, it’s worth knowing whose name the day carries—and why.
Frequently Asked Questions About Terry Fox Day 2026
When is Terry Fox Day 2026?
Terry Fox Day 2026 falls on Monday, August 3, 2026. It is observed on the first Monday of August each year in Manitoba.
Is Terry Fox Day a statutory holiday in Manitoba?
Yes. Terry Fox Day is a statutory public holiday in Manitoba. Government offices, banks, and many businesses are closed. Always check with your employer or service provider, as hours can vary.
Is Terry Fox Day observed across Canada?
No. Terry Fox Day is specific to Manitoba. Other provinces observe a civic holiday on the same date but under different names. Alberta calls it Heritage Day, British Columbia calls it British Columbia Day, and Ontario refers to it as the Civic Holiday.
Why did Manitoba rename its August civic holiday Terry Fox Day?
Manitoba renamed the holiday in 2015 to honour Terry Fox, who was born in Winnipeg. The renaming recognises his Marathon of Hope and his lasting contribution to cancer research fundraising in Canada and internationally.
What is the Terry Fox Foundation?
The Terry Fox Foundation is a Canadian charity established after Terry Fox’s death in 1981. It organises annual Terry Fox Runs worldwide and funds cancer research. According to the Foundation, it has raised over $850 million for cancer research to date.
How can I get involved in Terry Fox fundraising in 2026?
The Terry Fox Foundation holds its annual run each September. You can register to participate, donate, or organise a local event through the Terry Fox Foundation’s official website at terryfox.org.
