Saint David's Day

Saint David's Day
Stained glass depiction of Saint David, designed by William Burges, at Castell Coch, Cardiff
Official nameDydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant
Observed byWales
Welsh people
Welsh diaspora
Anglican Communion
Catholic Church
TypeNational
CelebrationsChildren participate in an eisteddfod
ObservancesParades
Wearing Welsh emblems
Date1 March
FrequencyAnnual

Saint David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi [ˈdɨːð ˌɡuːɨ̯l ˌdɛu̯.i ˈsant, ˈdiːð ̩ɡʊi̯l ˌdɛu̯.i]), or the Feast of Saint David, is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David's death in 589 AD.

Traditional festivities include wearing daffodils and leeks, recognised symbols of Wales and Saint David, respectively, eating traditional Welsh food including cawl, and women wearing traditional Welsh dress. An increasing number of cities and towns across Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth also put on parades throughout the day.

The day is not a public holiday in Wales, which has prompted calls for a St David's Day to be a bank holiday in Wales and some organisations designating unofficial celebrations.

The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II.