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 government holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador, falling 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 2026, it is on Monday, July 13. This “closest Monday” rule means the actual date shifts each year slightly. It ensures that eligible employees receive a three-day weekend without a midweek interruption.
What Are Employee Rights on Orangemen’s Day in NL?
Orangemen’s Day is not a legal public holiday under the Labour Standards Act for most private sector workers. This means it is a paid day off for provincial government employees, but its status for other workers depends on their employer.
Workplace Rules for Provincial or Municipal Government Employees
If you are a provincial or municipal government employee, you receive an automatically paid statutory holiday. Regardless, bargaining unit employees should always check their collective agreements since those rules take priority.
According to the Treasury Board Secretariat’s policy, when required to work on this July 12 holiday, you receive compensation under 2 scenarios:
Holiday on a scheduled working day
If the holiday falls on a workday, you will be compensated with either:
- Paid time off at a rate of 1.5 hours for each hour worked, to be taken later by agreement.
- If you do not take the time off within four months, you will get paid at 1.5 times your regular rate for the hours worked.
Holiday on a scheduled day off
If a holiday falls on your day off, you get a substitute day off. If you have to work on that day, you will receive extra pay for the holiday and either:
- Paid time off at a rate of two hours for every hour you work, plus a substitute day off to be taken within two months.
- If taking time off is not possible, you will get equivalent payment instead.
Part-time employees’ entitlements depend on their contracts and schedules. If you usually work on Mondays and your contract includes the July 12 holiday, you should be paid for your typical Monday hours. Yet, casual employees usually do not receive holiday pay unless their contract says so.
However, if you do not have a regular schedule or your contract does not mention the holiday, you will not get paid.
Workplace Rules for Private-Sector Employees
If you are a private-sector employee, you only receive paid holiday benefits if your employment contract or collective agreement states so. Orangemen’s Day is not an official holiday, so businesses are not required to close.
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
Workplace Rules for Federal Employees
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.
Beyond that, there are two types of holidays in the province that you need to distinguish:
Paid Public Holidays: According to the Labour Standards Act, all provincially regulated employees are entitled to six paid holidays.
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Canada Day / Memorial Day (July 1)
- Labour Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
Provincial Government Holidays: These are extra paid days off for government employees as outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Holiday Policy:
- St. Patrick’s Day
- St. George’s Day
- Victoria Day
- June Holiday
- Orangemen’s Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Boxing Day
- One civic holiday
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.
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.
Disclaimer: This article offers general information about Newfoundland and Labrador but may not match your specific agreement or employer rules. Holiday entitlements can change, so for the most accurate information, check the Canada Labour Code or Newfoundland and Labrador Employment Standards, and confirm with your HR or union.
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.
