Newfoundland
Stories
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The Many Mummers of Newfoundland
It’s Christmas and there are mummers throughout Newfoundland, but there’s more to mummering than meets the eye — it’s a surprisingly diverse tradition.
What is the Heck Tibb’s Eve?
What is Tibb’s Eve? In Newfoundland and Labrador, December 23rd — known as Tibb’s Eve, Tib’s Eve, or Tipsy Eve — marks the unofficial start of Christmas. Once a phrase meaning “a day that would never come,” it’s now one of the biggest nights of the year for Newfoundlanders coming home for the holidays. Discover the strange origins, folklore, and modern celebrations of Tibb’s Eve — from its roots in old English slang to how it became Newfoundland’s pre-Christmas party tradition.
Home Before Dark
Newfoundland’s scary stories weren’t just for fun — they warned kids of real dangers. From ghost dogs to haunted mills, discover the creepy tales that kept generations safe.
Mrs. Coyle and the Corpse
The story of Mrs. Nancy Coyle — a woman reputed to have raised the dead in 19th century St. John’s, NL
Salads, Saints and 7 Other Iceberg Oddities
Strange stories and odd iceberg trivia from the edge of Iceberg Alley — Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Live, Laugh, Loaf: Newfoundland Bread Lore
From finding dead bodies to fending off fairies, bread was so much more than a nutritional staple in Newfoundland.
April Foolishness in Newfoundland
Mar falten, chamber pots and press pile compasses — a collection pranks, customs and other foolishness for April Fools’ Day in Newfoundland.
Mermaids, Pirates and Propaganda
The story of pirate Peter Easton and the tale of Newfoundland’s most famous mermaid share one point of connection — Richard Whitbourne.
What The Heck Is Sheila’s Brush?
Most Newfoundlanders can probably tell you Sheila’s Brush is a March snowstorm but who Sheila is, and how the storm got named for her are trickier questions.
How Did Dildo, Newfoundland Get Its Name?
Owing to its name, Dildo may be one of the best known communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. How the town got such an unusual name is a matter of debate.
Candlemas Day: Cake, Candles and Kings
There’s more to February 2nd than groundhogs and weather lore. People of Newfoundland have celebrated Candlemas for generations and have lots of interesting customs that have nothing to do with looking for shadows.
How to Push Your Luck in Newfoundland
From pigeons and brooms to uni-brows and whistlers, Newfoundlanders have no shortage of superstitions. In honour of Friday the 13th, here’s a collection of 13 things that are (or were once considered to be) bad luck in Newfoundland.
Kicking the Concern and Other Curious Christmas Customs
Kicking the concern and other strange Newfoundland Christmas customs.
Rockyfoot: Newfoundland’s Krampus
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that ol’ Rockyfoot was not drawing near.
Sea Serpents and Lake Monsters of Newfoundland
There are mysteries in the deep but from time to time the come to the surface — here are 10 times Newfoundland sea serpents and lake monsters made the news.
Outer Space to Outer Cove: Newfoundland UFOs
The truth is out there… maybe in Gander, Harbour Mille or Random Island, NL
Mr. Kinchler and the Devil
Re-telling of a folktale about how the devil came to leave his mark in a rock outside Fortune Harbour, Newfoundland.
The 5 Best Places to See a Ghost
Haunted, historic and open to the public — five of the most convenient places to encounter a ghost in Newfoundland.
Strange Tale of Pirate Gold Found at Quidi Vidi
A little more than a century ago a newspaper’s bizarre tale of a pirate treasure and spectral dogs on the shores of Quidi Vidi created a sensation in St. John’s, Newfoundland.