Commemorating the War of 1812

Activities and Events

Atlantic Canada| Quebec | Ontario

The list below offers a quick glance at the activities taking place at Parks Canada to mark this important event. Have a look and take your family to a site near your home this summer. Our competent and professional team awaits you!

We are now working on more programs for your visit, so be sure to visit this site regularly.

Atlantic Canada

New Brunswick | Newfoundland and Labrador | Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/carletonmartellotower

• July 20, August 5 and August 24, 2013, at 2:00 pm - Historical Talks
  Come listen to well-known storyteller David Goss who will give a series of historical talks on the War of 1812.
  
  
• August 18, 2013 - Fab Forts Weekend
  • Theatre Event at 1:30pm - InterAction Children's Theatre Company
    Learn about the War of 1812 in a fun way mixed with folklore, dance, music and acting.
  • Kingston Peninsula Heritage Choir at 2:30pm
    Songs of the 1800s and stories of the War of 1812

Fort Beauséjour-Fort Cumberland National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortbeausejour

• August 6, 2013, at 9:00 pm - Flames of War Sound and Light Show
  (Note: also showing at Centennial Park in Moncton on August 5, 2013 at 9:00 pm)
  A new and unique outdoor video production interpreting the War of 1812 through a fusion of dramatic vignettes, music and imagery, Flames of War focuses on the major battlefield of the war - Niagara - and the crucial role played by First Nations. Suitable for all ages.

Fundy National Park
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fundy

• August 4, 2013, at 9:00 pm - Flames of War Sound and Light Show
  A new and unique outdoor video production interpreting the War of 1812 through a fusion of dramatic vignettes, music and imagery, Flames of War focuses on the major battlefield of the war - Niagara - and the crucial role played by First Nations. Suitable for all ages.
  
  
• August 16, 2013 - Theatre Event at 7:00pm - InterAction Children's Theatre Company
  Learn about the War of 1812 in a fun way mixed with folklore, dance, music and acting.

St. Andrews Blockhouse National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/standrewsblockhouse

• August 3, 2013, at 9:00 pm - Flames of War Sound and Light Show
  Location: St. Andrews Arena complex
  A new and unique outdoor video production interpreting the War of 1812 through a fusion of dramatic vignettes, music and imagery, Flames of War focuses on the major battlefield of the war - Niagara - and the crucial role played by First Nations. Suitable for all ages.
  
  
• August 5, 2013, at 3:00 pm - Kingston Peninsula Heritage Choir
  Songs of the 1800s and stories of the War of 1812
  
  
• August 17, 2013, at 1:30pm - Fab Forts Weekend Theatre Event
  InterAction Children's Theatre Company
  Learn about the War of 1812 in a fun way mixed with folklore, dance, music and acting.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Signal Hill National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/signalhill

• Signal Hill Tattoo - two days a week
  This year, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot of the Signal Hill Tattoo will be joined by the Royal Newfoundland Fencible Regiment, the regiment that received Battle Honours for its role in the War of 1812 Battle of Detroit.
  
  
• The Soldier’s Sweet Tooth - offered weekly and incorporated into various 1812 programs
  History has never been this scrumptious. Visitors to Signal Hill this summer will have the opportunity to sample period chocolate provided by Mars Canada and discover the role chocolate played for soldiers during the 18th and 19th centuries.
  
  
• Noon Day Gun
  The Noon Day Gun will sound again this year at Signal Hill and will be fired by members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Artillery c.1812 as well as selected visitors and local celebrities.

Nova Scotia

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel

• July 20-21, 2013 - Explore Georges Island 2013 Open House
  Your chance to explore Georges Island is back this summer! Don’t miss the opportunity to see first-hand one of the most important British forts that defended Halifax. Activities include tunnel tours, guided interpretation and an 1812 encampment - interactive fun for the whole family. Stay tuned for more details including how to get your tickets for this special weekend.
  
  
• August 17-18, 2013 - Fab Forts Weekend
  The Halifax Citadel was built to protect a city, a culture, and a way of life. Rediscover the reason why the Halifax Citadel is so fabulous! Special activities highlighting the Citadel’s and Halifax’s connection to the War of 1812 are planned for the entire family to enjoy - watch for more details coming soon!
  
  
• August 23, 2013, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - Freedom of the City
  The Halifax Citadel’s iconic 78th Highlanders will exercise its Freedom of the City by parading through Halifax “with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.” Dedicated for a second year to the War of 1812, the parade begins at the Halifax Citadel at 11:00 am and continues to the Grand Parade, finishing up at Government House.
  
  
• August 29 to September 1, 2013
  American Revolutionary War to War of 1812 Grand Encampment
  Discover a pivotal event in the making of both Canada and the United States: the American Revolution! This living history event will feature a military encampment and demonstrations of authentic camp cooking and period food, as well as battle tactics, cannon and musket firings from the late 18^th century.

Quebec

Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/chateauguay

• June 24 to October 27, 2013
  • Travelling exhibit: The War of 1812 from 4 different angles
    Discover this remarkable exhibit, developed by the Canadian War Museum, which paints a picture of the War of 1812 as seen through the eyes of Canadian, American, British and Aboriginal participants. This exhibit will be shown at the national historic sites in the greater Montréal area between 2012 and 2014 and will be on display at the Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Site throughout the entire 2013 season.
  • New historical route: The Châteauguay Battleground
    Take a trip through the history of this famous October 26, 1813 battle by exploring the archaeological landscapes of the battlefield. A unique adventure and amazing discoveries await you! Follow the groomed trail over a distance of more than 14 km and relive this great feat of arms that took place along the Châteauguay River.
  
  
  
• September 1 to October 12, 2013 (from Wednesday to Sunday) - A biking and guided tour duo: 13 historical moments over 14 kilometres
  During the lovely months of September and October, make the most of the new route which highlights 13 historical moments of the Battle of the Châteauguay over a distance of 14 kilometres along the original battlefield. Round out your experience by taking part in the special guided tour offered at the site interpretation centre. For the general public (weekends only) and for groups from Wednesday to Sunday (reservations required).
  
  
• October 5-6, 2013 - The Battle of the Châteauguay, a significant page in our history
  These two special days will feature a period encampment from the War of 1812 and battle manoeuvres and re-enactments. More than 100 historical re-enactors are expected! The period encampment will be located on the Ormstown fairgrounds, the original site of the 1813 American encampment. Re-enactment troops will play out clashes from the Battle of the Châteauguay on the very site of the line of fire of October 26, 1813. The battle re-enactment will take place on Saturday, October 5, at 2:00 pm at this location. The military manoeuvres will also be located on the Ormstown fairgrounds on Sunday, October 6.
  
  
• October 26, 2013 - Commemoration of the Battle of October 26, 1813
  Here’s a truly special opportunity to commemorate the Battle of the Châteauguay 200 years to the day. Come celebrate the heroism of the participants in this decisive clash: Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry, his Aboriginal allies, volunteer militias from Lower Canada, the Voltigeurs canadiens and the Canadian Fencibles. Take part in a special ceremony in the presence of military units with connections to the battle, site partners and the entire community, as well as presentations and activities specially designed for the occasion.
  
  • 10:00 am: Commemorative ceremony at the obelisk grounds, near the Interpretation Centre
  • 1:00 to 4:00 pm: Special program at the Interpretation Centre
  • 8:00 pm: Military music concert at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Cathedral-Basilica

Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/coteau

• July 1, 2013, from 1:00 to 10:00 pm - Canada Day
  Canada Day at Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site is now a must. Celebrate this event by participating in family activities.
  
  • 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Inflatable games, costumed interpretation, 1812 children’s rally and face painting
  • 3:00 pm: Canada Day cake
  • 7:00 pm: Musical show
  • 10:00 pm: Spectacular fireworks!

Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortifications

• Daily in July and August, 2013, 1:45 pm - Costume Workshop and Fired Up About Artillery - 1812
  In 1812, Québec was the British army’s command centre in North America.
  Location: Come to the visitor’s kiosk at 2 rue D’Auteuil; the activity will take place in the Artillery Park and is free with regular site admission.
  
  • Discover the work, habits, and way of life of the French and British soldiers who stayed at Artillery Park. You are cordially invited to visit the officers’ barracks to see how they lived.
  • Put on a uniform and walk in the shoes of an 18th-century French soldier or a British soldier from 1812. Attend a musket-firing demonstration and learn how to handle these weapons from another era. You may even be one of the lucky volunteers chosen to experience the smell of gunpowder as you fire a flintlock musket, the type of weapon used in the War of 1812.
  • Become an apprentice gunner. Join a cannon-firing drill and follow the officer’s orders to learn how to work a cannon like the artillery soldiers of old.
  
  
• August 17-18, 2013, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm - 1812 Fab Forts
  Location: Come to the visitor’s kiosk at 2 rue D’Auteuil; the activity is free with regular site admission.
  Parks Canada will be presenting special themed programming all weekend long across the country. In 1812, Québec was the British army’s command centre in North America.
  During the event:
  
  • attend musket-firing demonstrations;
  • accompanied by an officer brimming with interesting stories, enjoy tea, scones and heritage chocolate in the Officers' Mess located in the Dauphine Redoubt;
  • don the uniform of the French or British soldiers who stayed at Artillery Park in the colonial days;
  • learn how to use an artillery gin (a device used to raise the cannons that were found in all fortified towns in the colonial era).

Ontario

Fort George National Historic Site of Canada
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortgeorge

• May 25-26, 2013 - 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort George
  War of 1812 re-enactors from all over North America will help history come alive as we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Fort George. Battle re-enactment will be scheduled throughout the weekend. Musket firings, cannon firings, music presentations and more will be happening both days inside the imposing walls of Fort George.
  
  
• August 17-18, 2013 - Fife and Drum Muster and Soldiers' Field Day
  This weekend-long event is a pageant of military music by Fife and Drum corps from the United States and Canada as well as a competition of 1812 drill teams from Fort George, Fort Malden, Fort York and Fort Erie - a collection of the premier 1812 military sites in Ontario.

Fort Malden National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/malden

• August 3-4, 2013 - Military Heritage Days
  Take charge! Discover history as it comes to life at Fort Malden National Historic Site. Experience tactical demonstrations, military encampments and unique children's activities. Bring the whole family to an astounding weekend of fire power and fun!
  
  
• Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 2013 - Battle of Lake Erie Weekend
  Experience a weekend of military demonstrations from the War of 1812, including cannon firing, performances by the Fort George Fife and Drum corps, lectures and book signings, and a water balloon re-enactment of the Battle of Lake Erie for the kids. Please call the Fort for further details.

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortstjoseph

• July 19-21, 2013 - Sails on the St. Marys and HistoryFest
  Join Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site in commemorating the “war on the water” this summer at HistoryFest, a three-day, outdoor, family-friendly commemoration of the War of 1812. Enjoy period encampments, cannon demonstrations, historic interpreters and “Sails on the St. Marys” tall ship tours at the Roberta Bondar Pavillion in Sault Ste Marie.
  
  
• July 23-24, 2013, from 9:30am to 5:00pm - 1812 On Tour
  Parks Canada is pleased to present 1812 On Tour, a travelling experience that brings to life the stories of a war that helped define Canada as a nation. Get to know some of the heroes of the war, take your photo in front of our huge inflatable numbers, and learn about the most important landscapes, forts and buildings that make up the more than 20 Parks Canada War of 1812 national historic sites in Central and Eastern Canada.
  Admission: $3.90 adults; $3.40 seniors; $1.90 youth; $9.80 family
  
  
• July 27-28, 2013 - Relive the Moment: Campout at Fort St. Joseph
  Live, eat and sleep like a soldier or voyageur from 200 years ago. Bring your own tent, borrow a tent or stay in a period canvas tent, and participate in bannock making, soldier drills, voyageur skills, camping demonstrations and more. Learn about various ways to start a campfire, cooking simple foods, camp etiquette, gearing up and cool gadgets. Fantastic fun for the whole family!
  
  
• August 24-25, 2013 - Island Gathering: A Festival of Cultural Alliances
  Date, time and place:
  August 24, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site
  August 24, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Richards Landing Centennial Grounds
  August 25, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Richards Landing Centennial Grounds
  This two-day event, organized in conjunction with the Township of St. Joseph, showcases pipe bands and highland dancers from Canada and the US, period music, re-enactors, a voyageur encampment, a paddling event, food and merchandise vendors, as well as 1812-era and present-day military exhibits.