St David's Day
218 days until St David's Day
About St David's Day
St David's Day, celebrated annually on 1 March, honours the patron saint of Wales, Saint David (Dewi Sant). It is a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture, heritage, and national pride across Wales and the wider United Kingdom.
History
Saint David was a sixth-century bishop who played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity across Celtic Britain. Known for his ascetic lifestyle, he founded a monastic community at Glyn Rhosyn (now St Davids in Pembrokeshire), where monks lived simply, farmed by hand, and abstained from meat and alcohol. Legend credits David with performing miracles, most famously causing the ground beneath him to rise into a hill at Llanddewi Brefi so that a large crowd could hear him speak.
Following his death on 1 March, traditionally recorded in 589 AD, Saint David was canonised by Pope Callixtus II in the 12th century. His feast day became a major religious pilgrimage and eventually evolved into a national celebration of Welsh identity, marked by cultural gatherings and civic pageantry.
Traditions & Celebrations
On St David's Day, people across Wales display national symbols by wearing bright yellow daffodils or green leeks pinned to their lapels. Schools host traditional cultural festivals known as eisteddfodau, featuring competitions in music, poetry, and performance, with children often wearing traditional Welsh dress or Welsh rugby shirts. Towns and cities, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth, host lively parades featuring dragon puppets, brass bands, and choir performances. Feasting is also central to the day, with traditional dishes such as cawl (a rich lamb and vegetable broth), Welsh cakes, and Welsh rarebit served in homes and public venues.
Did you know?
- Saint David's final words to his followers were 'Gwnewch y pethau bychain' ('Do the little things'), which remains a widely cited Welsh proverb today.
- The tradition of wearing leeks stems from a medieval legend where Welsh soldiers pinned leeks to their helmets to distinguish themselves from Saxon foes in battle.
- St Davids in Pembrokeshire, home to Saint David's cathedral, holds official status as the smallest city in the United Kingdom by population.
- Despite Saint David being the patron saint of Wales, 1 March is not an official public bank holiday in the UK, although there is ongoing political support in Wales to make it one.
St David's Day dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St David's Day a bank holiday in Wales?
No, St David's Day is not an official bank holiday in Wales or the rest of the UK, meaning businesses, banks, and schools open as normal.
What are the traditional symbols of St David's Day?
The primary symbols are the daffodil and the leek, alongside the Flag of Saint David (a yellow cross on a black field) and the Welsh red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch).
Why do people eat Welsh cakes and cawl on St David's Day?
Cawl and Welsh cakes are traditional Welsh dishes made from classic local ingredients, making them popular menu choices for celebrating national identity.