Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador is celebrated with parades, music, and community events. Participants often wear dark suits, white gloves, and orange sashes and banners. Besides the fun activities, knowing your rights while working in Newfoundland and Labrador is also important.
This guide will clarify who gets the day off, who receives paid benefits, and what happens if you have to work that day.
When is Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Orangemen’s Day is a provincial statutory holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador. The holiday always falls on the Monday closest to July 12. When July 12 falls midweek, the holiday moves backward to the preceding Monday.
Here are the Orangemen’s Day dates from 2025 to 2030:
| Year | July 12 Falls On | Day Observed | Days From July 12 |
| 2025 | Saturday | Monday, July 14 | +2 days |
| 2026 | Sunday | Monday, July 13 | +1 day |
| 2027 | Monday | Monday, July 12 | 0 days |
| 2028 | Wednesday | Monday, July 10 | -2 days |
| 2029 | Thursday | Monday, July 9 | -3 days |
| 2030 | Friday | Monday, July 15 | +3 days |
Source: TimeAndDate.com – Orangemen’s Day Calendar
In 2025, the holiday occurs on Monday, July 14 and in 2026, it is on Monday, July 13. This “closest Monday” rule means the actual date shifts slightly each year. It ensures eligible employees receive a three-day long weekend without midweek interruption.
What Are Employee Rights on Orangemen’s Day in NL?
Orangemen’s Day is a paid statutory holiday as per Newfoundland and Labrador provincial labour regulations. However, your entitlement to July 12 off varies based on your employer type.
If you are a federal government employee, you do not get Orangemen’s Day off, because it is not a federal statutory holiday. This affects employees of the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (federal members), Parks Canada, federal courts, and all other federal public servants.
If you are a provincial or municipal government employee, you receive an automatically paid statutory holiday. When required to work on this July 12 holiday, you receive compensation under 2 scenarios:
- Holiday on a scheduled working day: You receive your regular pay for the holiday plus time-and-a-half for hours worked. Alternatively, you can take time off at 1.5 times your regular rate within 4 months.
- Holiday on a scheduled day off: You get your regular pay for the holiday, double-time for hours worked, and an extra day off. If you do not take the day off within 2 months, you will receive cash instead.
Part-time employees’ entitlement depends on their contract and schedule. If you usually work on Mondays and your contract includes the July 12 holiday as a holiday, you should get paid for your typical Monday hours.
However, if you do not have a regular schedule or your contract does not mention the holiday, you will not get paid. Casual employees usually do not receive holiday pay unless their contract says so.
If you are a private-sector employee, you only receive paid holiday benefits if your employment contract or collective agreement states so. Many private businesses, such as retail stores and restaurants, stay open on Orangemen’s Day and require employees to work their normal hours without extra pay. This is legal if your contract does not guarantee the holiday.
If your employer violates the rule, contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Standards Division at 709-729-2742 or consult an employment lawyer.
Source: 2026 Paid Holidays memo, Section: Compensation for Holidays
What’s Open and Closed on Orangemen’s Day?
The July 12 holiday creates a split service landscape in Newfoundland and Labrador. Provincial and municipal government offices close, but federal services and most private businesses operate normally.
According to the City of St. John’s Orangemen’s Day schedule, the status of services is open despite the holiday, including:
- Parking enforcement
- Waste collection
- Recreation facilities
- The Robin Hood Bay waste facility (from 8 am to 4:30 pm)
- Bannerman Park and Bowring Park pools
- Public washrooms at major parks
However, other municipalities, such as Corner Brook, Gander, and Grand Falls-Windsor, may follow different service schedules. Therefore, check your local government’s website for specific operating hours.
Sources: City of St. John’s 2025 Orangemen’s Day Schedule
What do People do on the Orangemen’s Day in NL?
The July 12 holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador has evolved into a summer celebration with activities ranging from parades and outdoor fun to quiet time at home. Here are 6 common ways people celebrate:
- Take part in parades held by towns with Orange Lodges.
- Host barbecues or picnics, enjoying traditional foods like fish and brewis or Jiggs dinner.
- Go camping, hiking, and fishing or join larger events with live music and activities for kids.
- Take the day to relax or catch up on chores.
- Visit museums to learn about the Orange Order and its history.
- Go to churches which hold special services related to the holiday’s Protestant roots, although this is becoming less common.
Though the meaning of the holiday has evolved since the 1800s, its traditions still matter today.
Many people now see it as a mid-summer break or a chance to spend time with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and take part in local events.
Whether taking part in many activities or simply relaxing, the day is a reminder of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique history and culture.
History of Newfoundland and Labrador Orangemen’s Day
To see the full picture of Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, it’s better to understand its historical context.
On July 1, 1690 (July 12 in the Gregorian calendar), Protestant King William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II at the River Boyne near Dublin. It became a strong symbol of Protestant identity in Ireland and in British colonies such as Newfoundland.
In 1795, the Orange Order was founded in County Armagh to commemorate this battle each year.
In the early 1800s, the Orange Order arrived in Newfoundland. Its first lodge was established in St. John’s in 1815. At its peak in the 1950s, about 35% of men in Newfoundland and Labrador were members of the Orange Order. Its parades attracted large crowds.
Being part of the Order often brought economic and political opportunities. However, there were also tensions between Protestant and Catholic groups.
Today, membership in the Orange Order has declined. At the same time, the Newfoundland population is more religiously diverse and secular. This change reflects broader social shifts in Newfoundland and Labrador since becoming part of Canada in 1949. The modern holiday is primarily a summer-long weekend and a paid holiday.
Beyond Orangemen’s Day, you can explore Newfoundland and Labrador’s paid holiday lineup:
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Good Friday
- St. George’s Day
- Victoria Day
- June Holiday
- Memorial Day
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Remembrance Day
- Boxing Day
The bottom line
Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador is a public holiday that brings history, faith, and community together. Whether you attend events or stay at home, it still feels meaningful. With a little planning, you can make the most of both the history and the downtime.
FAQs about Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador
Why is Orangemen’s Day only a holiday in Newfoundland?
Orangemen’s Day is unique to Newfoundland and Labrador because of the province’s distinct history and demographics.
Can my employer force me to work on Orangemen’s Day?
Yes. Employers have the right to schedule employees on statutory holidays, especially in essential services and year-round industries. However, compensation requirements and contract protections may apply.
Are there Orangemen’s Day parades or community events?
Yes, though these events are considerably smaller and less frequent than their historical peak in the mid-20th century. St. John’s has historically hosted parades organized by local Orange Lodges and other communities with Orange Order presence.
Do I need to use vacation time if I want Orangemen’s Day off?
Yes. Private sector employees without contractual Orangemen’s Day entitlement must use vacation days, personal days, or other paid time off to have Orangemen’s Day off work. This applies to employees whose employment contracts don’t specify Orangemen’s Day as a paid holiday.
Will Orangemen’s Day be removed or renamed?
There’s no current legislative movement to remove or rename Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, public discourse occasionally raises questions about the holiday’s contemporary appropriateness, given declining Orange Order membership and changing social values.
Do schools close for Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland?
Yes, public schools in Newfoundland and Labrador close for Orangemen’s Day when it falls during the academic year, though this rarely occurs since the holiday falls in mid-July during summer vacation.
How is Orangemen’s Day different from St. Patrick’s Day in Newfoundland?
Both of them are Newfoundland statutory holidays with Irish roots. Still, they commemorate opposite sides of Ireland’s historical Protestant-Catholic divide.
Is Orangemen’s Day a Paid Holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador?
It depends entirely on your employment status, contract terms, and applicable collective agreements. Municipal employees staffing recreation programs receive Orangemen’s Day as paid time off under their employment agreements. However, federal government employees do not receive it as a paid holiday.
