Immerse yourself in Welsh culture and escape to North Wales to celebrate St David’s Day.
On this day you can expect to see traditional Welsh dress, vibrant colours, and leeks and daffodils aplenty. As well as special parades and concerts to mark the occasion!
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about St David’s Day…
When is St David’s Day?
Wales celebrates St David’s day on March 1st each year. This annual event is in honour of the patron saint of Wales, and allows Saint David’s legacy to live on throughout the nation.
Who was St David?
Saint David (Dewi Sant) was the patron saint of Wales. He was a native of Wales, after being born on a clifftop in Pembrokeshire. Many believe his mother was St Non.
His birthplace is marked by the fascinating ruins of St Non’s Chapel. A must-see when visiting St David’s.
Saint David contributed greatly to Welsh land, discovering churches and religious settlements throughout. Legend says that the saint embarked on a journey to Jerusalem, returning with the stone that you see at the altar of St David’s Cathedral today!
His most famous miracle is said to be when he was speaking to a large crowd in Llanddewi Brefi, but they couldn’t hear him. A white dove appeared on David’s shoulder, said to be from God, after which the ground rose up to a hill allowing the crowd to see and hear him.
His story comes full circle to his death on March 1st in 589, after which he was buried on the site of St David’s Cathedral.
Why do we celebrate St David’s Day?
Saint David is one of Wales’s greatest historical figures and his contribution to the country is what brings the celebrations to life!
The saint founded a monastic community and dedicated his life to living as a monk. During this time, he amassed a great following from all over Wales, connecting the country with France, Ireland, and Scotland.
The celebrations we see today abide by the saints motto to his followers ‘Be joyful, keep the faith, do the little things you have seen me do’.
Why do we wear daffodils and leeks on St David’s Day?
When celebrating St David’s Day in Wales, you will see many people proudly wandering the streets wearing a daffodil.
The daffodil became established as a national symbol for Wales in the 19th century, as a replacement for the leek. It is said to have been popularised by David Lloyd George, the UK’s former prime minister.
Daffodils usually make their appearance in early spring, perfectly coinciding with this national celebration.
The leek is also an iconic symbol of Wales. Its origins are said to date back to the 12th century, when David ordered soldiers to wear the leek on their helmets, so they could identify each other during battle with the Saxons. The battle itself is also said to have taken place in a field of leeks!
St David’s Day Events in North Wales
If you fancy joining in on the celebrations, North Wales has plenty for you enjoy on the day! Including concerts, processions, school events where the little ones wear traditional Welsh dress, and the fantastic St David’s Day Lantern Parade in Wrexham.
After enjoying the festivities, why not tuck into a warming bowl of cawl, a Welsh cake, or classic Welsh rarebit?
How do you say Happy St David’s Day in Welsh?
During the celebrations, if you want to wish someone a Happy St David’s Day in Welsh, you can say “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus“.
Some other useful Welsh phrases you can use on St David’s Day are:
Bore da – Good morning
Prynhawn da – Good afternoon
Yaki Da – Cheers
Cymru am Byth – Wales Forever
Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd – Do the little things in life (to quote St David himself!)
Celebrate St David’s Day with a stay in North Wales
The Bay (Ref. 1009038)
After enjoying the festivities in style, you can return to your welcoming holiday cottage in North Wales to relax with an Aber Falls Gin or a Penderyn Whiskey.
Explore the historic towns of Beaumaris and Conwy, famed for their magnificent castles. Or enjoy hikes through the stunning Snowdonia National Park, before tackling the famous peak itself.
If you’d prefer to explore the coast, be sure to visit Trearddur Bay, Porthmadog, Anglesey, and Criccieth. All of which have beautiful beaches and award-winning restaurants right on the doorstep.
St David’s Day is nearly upon us again, and what better way to celebrate than with a luxury holiday cottage in North Wales? Or book a dog-friendly cottage so your four-legged friend doesn’t miss out on all the fun!
If you can’t decide where to celebrate, read our 14 Must-Visit Towns in North Wales for inspiration. Looking for more events to attend during your stay? Check out our guide to Events in Snowdonia and North Wales.
So, what are you waiting for? Secure your dream getaway with Menai Holidays today!
