St David's Day

A Brief History

St David was born in 500 and died on 1 March – St David’s Day - in 589. He is the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland. Apparently his mother, St Non, gave birth to him during a storm! St David was the greatest figure in the 6th century Welsh Age of Saints. He travelled far and wide, and founded scores of religious communities across Wales and England. St David's remains are buried in St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, where he had eventually settled and established a religious community. 

St David was canonised by Pope Callixtus in the 12th century, and we have celebrated St David’s Day ever since.

St David's Traditions

Usually, St David’s Day is a day of parades, concerts and eisteddfodau (festivals of music, language and culture).

St David's Day traditions include proudly pinning our national emblems, the daffodil or a leek, to your lapel. Children go to school in traditional Welsh dress. Flags are flown. The Welsh National Anthem is sung with extra fervour, and around the world, Welsh people wish each other a 'Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus' - 'Happy St David's Day' in Welsh.

Places to celebrate St David's Day

Usually, St David’s Day is a day of parades, concerts and eisteddfodau (festivals of music, language and culture).

St David's Day traditions include proudly pinning our national emblems, the daffodil or a leek, to your lapel. Children go to school in traditional Welsh dress. Flags are flown. The Welsh National Anthem is sung with extra fervour, and around the world, Welsh people wish each other a 'Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus' - 'Happy St David's Day' in Welsh.

St David's Day Parade

There are a number of parades you can enjoy that take place around Wales.

The National St David's Day Parade is an imaginative celebration of Welsh heritage and culture that happens every year on 1 March in Cardiff city centre. It’s a non-military parade that brings together several cultural groups, school children and musicians - and plenty of locals in traditional Welsh costume. Keen vexillophiles (that’s flag enthusiasts) will spot other banners among the sea of red dragons, including the flag of St David – a yellow cross on a black field – and the red-and-yellow lions of the Welsh princes. The action usually starts in Cardiff’s Civic Centre. The procession heads down to the Hayes, where the crowd joins together in a rousing mass rendition of our national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

There are annual processions and celebrations in several other towns across the country, including Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Carmarthen, Lampeter and Colwyn Bay. 

One of the biggest shindigs is Croeso (it means ‘welcome’ in Welsh), a two-day festival of music, food and entertainment in Swansea city centre. There are food stalls, cookery demonstrations, Welsh bands, children's activities, arts and crafts, and a daffodil dash. 

source: VisitWales