We love a celebration in Wales, and there are many official and unofficial days that we embrace throughout the year.
From celebrating patron saints and military legends to cheese on toast, and a fake horse’s head on a stick - there is a day to suit most tastes and interests. Read on for more Welsh myths, magic and tradition.
1. St Dwynwen’s Day - 25th January
The Church of St Dwynwen on Llanddwyn Island
St Dwynwen’s Day celebrates the Patron Saint of lovers, many know it as the ‘Welsh Valentine’s Day’.
It takes place each year on January 25th, and much like Valentine’s Day, it is a wonderful opportunity to show the love you have for someone.
St Dwynwen was the daughter of a Welsh king and lived in what is now the Brecon Beacon National Park, in the fifth century. After some romantic troubles of her own with Maelon, the son of another Welsh King, she drank a potion which turned Maelon to ice. She then prayed to God who granted her three wishes:
- For Maelon to be thawed
- That God would help all true lovers
- She would never be married
These wishes were granted, and in thanksgiving to God, Dwynwen became a nun and established a convent on an island just off the coast of Anglesey called Ynys Llanddwyn - ‘Island of the Church of Dwynwen’
St Dwynwen’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to buy your loved one a traditional Welsh gift, such as a Love Spoon, or to take a walk and admire the beautiful Welsh scenery.
2. St David’s Day - 1st March
St David’s Day is a national day that celebrates David, the Patron Saint of Wales, each year on March 1st.
David was canonised as a Saint in 1120, and his legacy has been celebrated ever since on March 1st each year, marking the day he apparently died in 589 AD
St David lived in West Wales, an area which is now home to the smallest city in the United Kingdom which also bears his name, St David’s. He is said to have performed a number of miracles: from raising the ground beneath him, which helped him speak to the large audience that had gathered, to healing the sick, and even raising someone from the dead
St David was a teetotal vegetarian and is the only British or Irish Patron Saint to have been born in the country that he represents
Welsh people worldwide celebrate St David’s Day with traditional outfits, concerts, parades, fantastic food and drink, and some even make the pilgrimage to St David’s Cathedral to celebrate his life and pray.
3. Calan Mai and Calan Gaeaf - 1st May and 1st November
Calan Mai (or Calan Haf) is a May Day holiday in Wales, held on 1st May each year to mark the first day of Summer. Calan Gaeaf is the name of the first day of Winter in Wales, marked on 1st November each year.
Both have traditions and customs related to the heritage of these days in Wales.
For Calan Mai, this includes singing and traditional Welsh folk dancing to welcome the summer season
Calan Gaeaf has some spookier traditions and is more akin to Halloween. It includes the theory that the day offers the chance for spirits to roam the earth!
This difference in traditions and approaches could be seen in how the traditional Celtic calendar was constructed, dividing the year into two - one light, and one dark
4. Dylan Thomas Day - 14th May
Dylan Thomas Day takes place on 14th May each year and celebrates the huge contribution made by Dylan Thomas, probably Wales’ most famous literary export. Thomas produced iconic poems like ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’, ‘And Death Shall Have No Dominion’, and the wonderful play ‘Under Milk Wood’.
Dylan Thomas died aged 39 in 1953, but his short life inspired people worldwide, including Bob Dylan who adopted Thomas’ first name as his surname.
His social life at times was more notorious than his literary work, with heavy drinking thought to have contributed to his early death. The truth is more complex though, and it is known that he was suffering from depression, grief, marriage difficulties, and a reliance on prescription pills at the time of his early death in New York
Dylan Thomas Day began in 2014, and is a great reason to celebrate his life and work. There are many things to do, from visiting his Boat House and Writing Shed in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, to enjoying some of his inspiring work.
The Day itself is supported by his granddaughter Hannah, who is now the Creative Coordinator for his literary estate. Many literature and educational groups offer opportunities to get involved in the Day, with the Dylan Thomas Day team offering a poetry and photography competition each year, and others providing resources and competitions to schools
5. Owain Glyndwr Day - 16th September
Owain Glyndwr was a leader in the movement to make Wales independent from England. He led battles, defeated English forces, and was the last native Welsh person to be Prince of Wales; the role following Glwyndwr’s death has always been held by an English man
Owain Glyndwr (pronounced phonetically: Owine Glyn-duwr) was born in 1359. On September 16th 1400 he started the Welsh revolt against Henry IV, and formed a Welsh Parliament in 1404, which proclaimed him Prince of Wales
This date has turned into an annual remembrance and recognition of Owain and his achievements against English rule, known as Owain Glyndwr Day. He has been particularly celebrated by those who are passionate about Welsh independence in modern times.
There are plenty of places across Wales that bear Glwyndwr’s name, from pubs to statues, and even a memorial in Cardiff City Hall - use Owain Glyndwr Day to pay one of them a visit.
Other Notable Celebration Days in Wales
6. Welsh Rarebit Day - 3rd September
Celebrated on September 3rd each year, this day is dedicated to the marvellous Welsh meal which is an elite-level cheese on toast. The name 'Welsh Rarebit' comes from 'Welsh Rabbit' as a way of making fun of the poor Welsh peasants who couldn't afford premium meats like rabbit so they ate this cheese and bread dish instead.
7. Hen Galan - 13th January
This traditional Welsh New Year celebration takes place on January 13th each year, in a small community in North Pembrokeshire. Yes, it might appear that it is two weeks too late for New Years, but this is because the celebration in the Gwaun Valley is based on the old Julian calendar, which was controversially abolished in 1752 and replaced with the Gregorian calendar
8. Appreciate a Dragon Day - 16th January
Appreciate a Dragon Day takes place on January 16th each year. It isn’t limited to Wales and is instead a worldwide celebration of dragons, but what a great chance to embrace the opportunity to celebrate one of the few countries in the World to feature a dragon on its flag.
9. National Laverbread Day - 14th April
April 14th is a date for your diary if you are a fan of this delicious traditional delicacy. Laverbread is a cooked version of ‘laver’ - a type of seaweed which is found in abundance across the Welsh coastline. Laverbread is packed with vitamins and minerals, and can be used in many everyday dishes. Use the next National Laverbread Day to give it a go with your evening meal
10. Gwyl Fair y Canhwyllau - 2nd February
Gwyl Fair y Canhwyllau (translated into English: Mary’s Festival of the Candles) is celebrated on February 2nd each year and is a Welsh name for Candlemass which is a Christian celebration. The ceremony involves blessing the candles, and distributing them to be carried in procession. It's used to wish for a good crop in the coming year.
11. Mari Lwyd - December
This is an old folk tradition that still takes place in some parts of Wales in December each year (usually just after Christmas). Mari Lwyd translates to English as ‘grey mare’, essentially this is a fake horse’s head mounted on a stick, decorated with ribbons and bells. Followers of Mari Lwyd chant in the street, and if the household chants back, Mari Lwyd enters the house and brings good luck for the rest of the year
Published: 9 July 2022 · Last updated: 28 August 2023