Loyalist Day - May 18th

05/17/2026

It's almost here: Tomorrow you can take a stroll through early Saint John history. Walk in the footsteps of the Loyalist refugees who made it a city. Hear their stories and celebrate their legacy. Join us for Loyalist Day May 18, 2026 in Uptown Saint John. For the full schedule of events: https://tinyurl.com/kz2ewtxy

05/15/2026

Were they "Loyal Americans”? A question that always arises at this time of year - and the answer is YES. Perhaps, if you'd asked those who were leading the rebellion, you might have gotten a different answer at the time, but they were in rebellion... not an act of the loyal.

A little clarification in terms might help. Residents of His Majesty's American colonies were already called Americans at the time of the revolution - albeit British Americans in some quarters but the term was in use. So the loyal Americans were those who supported the King and opposed the revolution. Thus the moniker "Loyalist".

It's easy to get confused when the other side were branding themselves "Patriots" but remember their patriotism was to an ideal they were seeking to make reality but hadn't yet achieved - certainly not to the legal government of the day.

As with most things, the view changes, depending on where you're standing.

05/15/2026

Join us on Monday, May 18 for the celebration of Loyalist Day in Saint John, New Brunswick. Take in a family-oriented schedule of events and activities to recognize the arrival of the first fleet of Loyalist refugees in 1783 and the Royal charter that created the City of Saint John in 1785. Visit our five venues, hear the stories of the Loyalists, learn more about our preserved history and our built heritage. And do it all for free on a short walk in uptown Saint John.

See our schedule: https://tinyurl.com/kz2ewtxy
Download the schedule: https://tinyurl.com/2s4a55sd
Learn why we celebrate: https://tinyurl.com/49cebf2u
Check the weather: https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=45.276,-66.078

05/15/2026

We are delighted to acknowledge Brenan's Funeral Homes, who are returning for the third year as our Supporting Sponsor, generously providing funding to assist in the development and promotion of our Loyalist Day program.

05/14/2026

05/10/2026

We're hoping you will join us on Monday, May 18th to take a short walk through history and hear the story of the Loyalists as you visit Place Fort La Tour, the Saint John Arts Centre, Loyalist House, St. John's Anglican "Stone" Church and the Loyalist Burial Ground.

05/09/2026

We are pleased to present our 2026 Loyalist Day - May 18th Schedule Of Events in Saint John, New Brunswick.

10:00 AM MUSKETRY SALUTE FROM PORTLAND POINT
Join us at Place Fort La Tour as the soldiers of DeLancey’s Brigade fire a welcoming volley honouring the first Loyalist newcomers who stepped ashore on this date in 1783. Place Fort La Tour will be open to the public free of charge between 10 and 11 am to help us kick-off Loyalist Day.
>>> Location: Place Fort La Tour, Portland Point on Harbour Passage
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10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EXPLORE YOUR HISTORY
Visit our ‘research hub’ at the Saint John Arts Centre and discover how easy it is to explore the history of your family and your community with the excellent resources available right here in New Brunswick. Join representatives from the NB Genealogical Society, the United Empire Loyalists Association, the NB Provincial Archives and the Collections Department at Kings Landing.
>>> Location: Port Saint John Gallery, Saint John Arts Centre, 20 Peel Plaza
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10:00 AM – 2:00 PM THE LOYALIST LEGACY
Greeted by a nearly barren wilderness when they stepped ashore in 1783, the Loyalist refugees would set about creating a new home for themselves, building a city and a province along the way. Visit Stone Church and learn more about what they accomplished in the generation that followed. Staff from Kings Landing along with local interpreters will be on hand to discuss the settling of the St. John River Valley, notable female Loyalists, the Churches of the Loyalists (why is it called Stone Church?) and more.
>>> Location: St. John’s ‘Stone’ Church, 87 Carleton Street
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10:00 AM – 3:00 PM A LOYALIST HOME
Join us for an open house at the Loyalist House Museum – a home built by David Daniel Merritt, who arrived as a Loyalist in 1783 – and talk with interpreters and historical re-enactors from DeLancey's Brigade about day-to-day life in the period. Free admission - donations accepted.
>>> Location: Loyalist House, 120 Union Street
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10:20 AM PORTLAND POINT 1783
A rocky point of land situated where the river meets the harbour, Portland Point has perhaps more history per square foot than any other piece of real estate in the region. Join us for a brief talk on what was happening here in 1783 and the role it played in the evolution of the area.
>>> Location: Place Fort La Tour, Portland Point on Harbour Passage
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12:30 PM WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada - NB Chapter and the troops of DeLancey’s Brigade will hold a brief ceremony at the earliest known grave in the Loyalist Burial Ground to honour the memory of those whose sacrifice and determination laid the foundations of our city.
>>> Location: Loyalist Burial Ground, Sydney Street at King Street East
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12:45 PM WALK THE OLD BURIAL GROUND
Immediately following the wreath laying ceremony take a guided walk through the cemetery with local historian and author David Goss. Meet at the Sydney Street Gate.
>>> Location: Loyalist Burial Ground, Sydney Street at King Street East
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2:00 PM – 3:30 PM 1776 - KEYBOARD MUSIC FROM THE LIBRARY OF THOMAS JEFFERSON
Tim Blackmore, on the square piano, offers a concert of period music from 250 years ago. Freewill offering in support of the Early Music Studio Of Saint John.
>>> Location: Saint John Arts Centre, 20 Peel Plaza

Download a printable version: https://tinyurl.com/2s4a55sd

05/09/2026

Our Loyalist Day celebrations are made possible through the support and contributions of our community partners.