How and where to celebrate St David's Day in Wales

Saint David was born at some time around AD500. According to legend, his birth was foretold by an angel and took place on a West Wales clifftop during a ferocious lightning storm. Regarded as the greatest figure in the sixth-century Welsh Age of Saints, Saint David travelled far and wide, and founded scores of religious communities across Wales and England, including one at what would become the city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire.

It was this popularity that likely led to David’s eventual adoption as Wales’ patron saint (the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland!), whose feast day, observed on the anniversary of his death on 1 March, has evolved into an annual celebration of all things Welsh. Here’s how you can join the party.

Read more: Key facts about Saint David, the son of a nun who could perform miracles.

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

People also celebrate St David’s Day by engaging in little acts of Welshness. You’ll see plenty of locals proudly pinning our national emblems, the daffodil or a leek, to their lapels, while children go to school in traditional Welsh dress. Flags are flown. The Welsh National Anthem is sung with extra fervour, and across Wales – and in diaspora communities around the world – people gather to wish each other a 'Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus' – 'Happy St David's Day' in Welsh.

The good people who look after our castles and ancient monuments, Cadw, arrange special events at some of their locations. There are St David's Day celebrations in Caerphilly Castle, with custodian-led tours around the castle, telling stories of Welsh myths and legends.

The National Trust is another reliable source for St David’s Day events, with most of their Welsh sites – many incorporating lavishly-daffodilled gardens – honouring St David in one way or another.

Our fabulous National Museums also join the party, with a host of interactive and entertaining events across Wales. 

There are usually a number of concerts to celebrate St David's Day, including the RWCMD Brass Band: St David's Day concert in Cardiff.

Sporting events include the St David's Day Run in Bute Park, and the St David's Day Dragon Run in Dare Valley Country Park.

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 cities and 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.

There's the St David's Day Food & Drink Festival taking place in Pembrey Country Park with artisan produce, street food stalls, cookery demos and live music.

Established by our patron saint, pretty St Davids in south west Pembrokeshire doesn’t have much in common with big metropolises like Birmingham or London. But thanks to the presence of its huge, purple-stoned cathedral, this settlement of around 2000 people is officially the UK’s smallest city. It’s also the religious centre of Wales, with two trips here traditionally said to be worth one pilgrimage to Rome.

There’s plenty that happens on or around 1 March. The little city brings out the bunting for a weekend of events in St Davids Cathedral and around the town. There’s the annual Dragon Parade from Oriel y Parc, while the Ras Dewi Sant marathon is a tough endurance challenge set amidst some terrific scenery. The route takes runners through the undulating paths of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path around the St Davids Peninsula, before culminating with a climb up a steep set of steps in the grounds of the cathedral. Half-marathon and 10k options are also available.

Saint David was said to have come from royal stock (his father was a king of Ceredigion), so it only feels fitting to celebrate his special day with a visit to one of the magnificent castles that are strewn across the Welsh landscape.

These include big hitters like the UNESCO World Heritage Site castles at Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech, plus lesser-known spots like lonely Llansteffan, Dolbadarn and Castell y Bere built by native Welsh princes. With more than 400 to choose from, you’re certain to find a fortress to fit your mood – some of which will put on special shows and events for St David’s Day.

What better way to celebrate St David's Day than by following the wise words of Saint David himself, who instructed his followers to ‘gwnewch y pethau bychain’ – do the little things. 

There are lots of little Random Acts of Welshness you can do to spread the hwyl (fun) and kindness, and get yourself into the festive spirit. You could don a traditional Welsh hat, try a bracing sea dip at a beautiful Welsh beach, or even give someone a traditional Welsh cwtsh (cuddle).

Alternatively, fuel your epic St David's Day out by seeing who can make the best homemade Welsh cakes and Bara Brith. Or cook up a traditional Welsh meal of Cawl or Glamorgan sausages when you get home.