St David's Day

Saint David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi [ˈdɨːð ˌɡuːɨ̯l ˌdɛu̯.i ˈsant, ˈdiːð ̩ɡʊi̯l ˌdɛu̯.i]), or the Feast of Saint David, is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David's death in 589 AD. Traditional festivities include wearing leeks and daffodils (both recognised as symbols of Saint David and more widely as symbols of Wales), school concerts and eisteddfodau, eating traditional Welsh dishes such as cawl and Welsh cakes, and wearing traditional Welsh costume. An increasing number of cities and towns across Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth also put on parades throughout the day. The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David, in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. However, it is not recognised as a public holiday by the government of Wales or the United Kingdom, which has prompted calls for St. David's Day to be a bank holiday in Wales and some organisations designating unofficial celebrations.