St. Andrew's Day 2026
cultureMonday, November 30, 2026
78 days from today · next occurrence
About St. Andrew's Day
St. Andrew's Day, celebrated every November 30, is Scotland's official national day, honoring Andrew the Apostle as the country's patron saint. Andrew is credited in tradition with never traveling to Scotland during his lifetime, yet his connection grew through legend, including the story that his saltire cross appeared in the sky before a decisive Scottish battle, inspiring the white diagonal cross on the nation's flag. The day is a bank holiday in Scotland and is marked with ceilidh dances, traditional music, piping, and feasting on Scottish dishes such as haggis and cullen skink. Castles, museums, and heritage sites open their doors with free or special events, and Edinburgh hosts a multi-day festival. Scots at home and abroad use the day to celebrate their culture, history, and shared identity.
When is St. Andrew's Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 30, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | November 30, 2027 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | November 30, 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | November 30, 2029 | Friday |
| 2030 | November 30, 2030 | Saturday |
History of St. Andrew's Day
Saint Andrew has been venerated in Scotland since at least the early medieval period, when relics said to belong to the apostle were brought to the settlement of St Andrews and the site became a destination for pilgrims. His patronage grew alongside the saltire, the distinctive white cross on a blue field that became the flag of Scotland. Observance of the saint's feast on November 30 spread among Scottish communities, and in 2006 the Scottish Parliament made the day a bank holiday, giving it formal national status. Celebrations have expanded from church services and family gatherings into festivals, ceilidhs, and cultural showcases, while Scots societies around the world mark the date as a point of connection to their heritage.
How to Celebrate St. Andrew's Day
- Attend a ceilidh and learn your first Scottish reel or jig.
- Cook or order a traditional Scottish meal such as haggis, neeps, and tatties.
- Visit a castle, museum, or heritage site taking part in St. Andrew's Day events.
- Learn the story behind the saltire and other symbols of Scotland.
- Join a St. Andrew's Society dinner or cultural evening if there is one nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is St. Andrew's Day?
- St. Andrew's Day falls on November 30 every year, the traditional feast day of Scotland's patron saint.
- Is St. Andrew's Day a public holiday?
- Yes, in Scotland it is a bank holiday, making it the country's official national day. In the rest of the United Kingdom it is an ordinary working day.
- How do people celebrate St. Andrew's Day?
- Scots gather for ceilidh dances, traditional music, and meals featuring dishes like haggis, while heritage sites host free events and communities worldwide hold dinners and cultural showcases.
- Who was Saint Andrew?
- Andrew was one of the twelve apostles in Christian tradition and became Scotland's patron saint through medieval legend and the veneration of his relics in the town of St Andrews.