REMEMBRANCE DAY 2025

A reminder that November 11 is observed as a holiday in New Brunswick, meaning schools, government offices, most large retailers and businesses will be closed. Some small groceries and pharmacies may be open, and public transportation is usually on a limited service.

FYI: We’ve listed the events in chronological order.

The Albert County Historical Society hosts a Remembrance Day sunrise ceremony each year at the Museum. At 7am the flag will be lowered, a piper will play, poems will be read, and poppy crosses and wreaths will be laid. Refreshments in the Community Hall to follow. (The Museum – with its incredible World War display – will be open from 1-4pm; admission by donation.)
Petitcodiac United Baptist Church hosts a morning Remembrance Day service, gathering at 9:45am and followed by a march to the cenotaph. (There’s also a dinner at 1pm.)
Moncton’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 will host the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Moncton Coliseum; you’re asked to arrive by 10am.
Salisbury’s Remembrance Day service begins inside at 10am, then heads outside the Legion to the cenotaph at 10:45am, followed by a social gathering inside. (There’s also an evening dinner for veterans & supporters.)
The City of Dieppe & the Dieppe Military Veterans Association host a Remembrance Day event at École Mathieu-Martin, with the parade at 10:30am, heading inside for a service.
Hillsborough‘s Remembrance Day Service will begin with a parade at 10:30am, at the Hillsborough Kiwanis Community Centre. (There’s also a Veteran’s Supper in the evening, hosted by Albert County Royal Canadian Legion Branch #32.)
There will be a ceremony and service at Shediac’s Pascal Poirier Park starting at 10:30am.
Moncton’s Victoria Park is host each year to a short outdoor ceremony, 10:45-11:15am.
Sunny Brae’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony and Parade takes place starting at 10:45am, leaving the Legion and heading to the park on Massey Avenue. Following the ceremony, the procession returns to the Legion around noon. (Please expect short road closures during this time.)
Riverview‘s Remembrance Day service takes place at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, starting at 10:50am.
Memramcook‘s Remembrance Day Ceremony take place at Veterans Park at 11am.

A great option for families looking for an outing that aligns with the day is a visit to the Albert County Museum. Albert County had one of the highest enlistment percentages in Canada during the First World War, with men – and boys – from the community participating in each major battle. In tribute to the community’s contributions, the museum has built a replica WWI trench inside, filled with local memorabilia and information on New Brunswick’s 26th Battalion. The museum is also home to one of only five WWI German field guns captured during the war. It will be open from 1-4pm; admission is by donation.

You might also want to plan a family visit to the War Museum in Petitcodiac to discover many local stories and memorabilia from various military conflicts. The museum is open at the Petitcodiac Legion on Remembrance Day from 11am-2pm, or you can call 506-756-2068 to book a visit.

If you’re out and about, watch for specially-painted sidewalks commemorating veterans in various communities. The Town of Riverview has a special crossing outside Town Hall, and the City of Moncton has four maple leaf crosswalks this year: two near Victoria Park, one on St. George Street by the fire station, and another on Mountain Road near Wheaton’s. And in Salisbury, look up to see commemorative banners along Main Street, Fredericton Road, and River Road, highlighting service members with ties to the community, past and present.

You can find amazing resources on the Veterans Canada website to help you talk with children of all ages about Canada’s military, which is especially wonderful if you’re homeschooling or trying to augment remote learning this year.

REMEMBRANCE DAY CRAFTS

Working on a small craft project together provides a wonderful opportunity for family discussions. Click here for more details on creating a wreath for Remembrance Day from cardboard egg cartons, as well as other crafts we’ve created.

POPPY COLOURING SHEET

LEARN THROUGH READING

A fantastic way to approach any topic is through reading. We’ve compiled a list of books you might want to read with younger kids, with suggestions for preschoolers through to early elementary ages. For older kids, we recommend Deborah Ellis’ Breadwinner Trilogy, which also has a graphic novelization and screen adaptation, for an understanding of life under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. We’re working to find some other titles for older children to add to our list, as well, so please drop a note in the comments if you have suggestions!