St. Andrew's Day 2026

When Is St. Andrew's Day in 2026?

In 2026, St. Andrew's Day falls on November 30. The observance lasts 1 day. St. Andrew's Day is observed on a fixed date each year. A bank holiday in Scotland (under the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007). Banks are not required to close; it is a voluntary rather than statutory holiday. When November 30 falls on a weekend, the holiday is not moved. Other UK nations do not observe it. St. Andrew's Day is observed on the same date each year: November 30. Here are the dates for the next five years: Year Date 2026 November 30 2027 November 30 2028 November 30 2029 November 30 2030 November 30

What Time Does St. Andrew's Day Start in Your Time Zone?

St. Andrew's Day is fixed on November 30 — the traditional date of St. Andrew's martyrdom in 60 CE. As a Scottish bank holiday, it is observed on November 30 itself, regardless of the day of the week. When November 30 falls on a weekend, the bank holiday is observed on the same day (banks are closed on that day), but workers do not get an additional day off. In 2026, November 30 falls on a Monday, so the holiday is observed on November 30 itself. Because St. Andrew's Day is a fixed Gregorian date, it is timezone-independent. Scots in all parts of the country observe St. Andrew's Day on November 30. Scottish diaspora communities — particularly in Canada (especially Nova Scotia, which means "New Scotland"), the United States, Australia, and New Zealand — also observe St. Andrew's Day, with events at Scottish cultural societies and Caledonian clubs. St. Andrew is also the patron saint of Romania, Greece, Russia, and Barbados, all of which have their own St. Andrew's Day traditions on November 30. The table below shows the observance date for St. Andrew's Day in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA November 30 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK November 30 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India November 30 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia November 30 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE November 30 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind St. Andrew's Day

St. Andrew's Day, observed on November 30, is Scotland's national day, celebrating St. Andrew — the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the brother of St. Peter, and a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee. According to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross (now called a St. Andrew's Cross or saltire) at Patras in Greece, on November 30, 60 CE. The X-shaped cross became the symbol of St. Andrew and is the basis of the Scottish flag — a white saltire on a blue background. The connection between St. Andrew and Scotland is partly legendary. According to tradition, the relics of St. Andrew were brought to Scotland in the 4th century by St. Regulus (or St. Rule), who was instructed in a vision to take the relics to the "ends of the earth" — which he interpreted as Scotland. The relics were buried at the site that became the town of St. Andrews in Fife, which became the religious capital of Scotland and the site of St. Andrews Cathedral (consecrated in 1318). Another legend holds that in 832 CE, before a battle between the Picts and the Angles, the Pictish king Óengus II prayed to St. Andrew for victory. On the morning of the battle, an X-shaped cloud appeared in the sky, which Óengus interpreted as a sign. The Picts won the battle, and Óengus declared St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew's Day has been observed in Scotland since at least the 11th century, but it was not a national holiday until 2006, when the Scottish Parliament designated it a bank holiday. (Banks in Scotland are closed on St. Andrew's Day, but it is not a legal requirement for other businesses to close.) The day is celebrated as Scotland's national day, with events celebrating Scottish culture, history, and identity. The day is also observed in other countries with Scottish connections — including Romania, Greece, Russia, and Barbados — where St. Andrew is the patron saint. The day is also the start of the traditional Scottish winter festival season, which runs from St. Andrew's Day (November 30) through Christmas (December 25) to Burns Night (January 25).

How St. Andrew's Day Is Celebrated

St. Andrew's Day is celebrated with events across Scotland. Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, holds a weekend of celebrations including a torchlight procession through the city, fireworks, traditional music performances, and ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dances). Glasgow, Aberdeen, and other Scottish cities hold similar events. The Scottish government uses the day to promote Scottish culture and tourism, with free or reduced admission to many historic sites — including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Urquhart Castle — on St. Andrew's Day itself. Scottish food is central to the celebration. Traditional Scottish dishes — haggis (a savory pudding made from sheep's pluck, oats, and spices, traditionally cooked in a sheep's stomach), neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes), Cullen skink (a smoked haddock soup), and Scottish shortbread — are eaten in homes and restaurants. Whisky tastings are popular, particularly in the Speyside and Highland whisky regions. Scottish pub sessions — informal gatherings of traditional musicians in pubs — are common on St. Andrew's Day, with fiddle, accordion, and bagpipe music. The Scottish flag — the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross — is flown prominently on St. Andrew's Day, from homes, public buildings, and businesses. The flag's white X on a blue background is one of the oldest national flags in the world, with its design dating to at least the 12th century. Some Scots also wear traditional Highland dress on St. Andrew's Day — kilts in clan tartans, with sporrans (pouches), ghillies (shoes), and other accessories. The day is also associated with the start of the traditional Scottish winter festival season, with Edinburgh's Christmas market, the Hogmanay (New Year's) celebrations, and Burns Night (January 25) all following in quick succession.

St. Andrew's Day on the Calendar

St. Andrew's Day is fixed on November 30, the traditional date of St. Andrew's martyrdom in 60 CE. The date never changes. The day of the week on which November 30 falls determines whether Scots get a long weekend (when it falls on a Friday or Monday) or a mid-week holiday. In 2026, November 30 is a Monday, so the holiday creates a three-day weekend. Unlike some other Scottish holidays, St. Andrew's Day is not moved to create a long weekend — it is always observed on November 30 itself.

Fixed on November 30 (feast day of St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland)

Did You Know? St. Andrew's Day Facts & Trivia

St. Andrew's Day celebrates St. Andrew — the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the brother of St. Peter, and a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee. According to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross (now called a St. Andrew's Cross or saltire) at Patras in Greece, on November 30, 60 CE. The X-shaped cross became the symbol of St. Andrew and is the basis of the Scottish flag — a white saltire on a blue background. According to legend, in 832 CE, before a battle between the Picts and the Angles, an X-shaped cloud appeared in the sky, which the Pictish king Óengus II interpreted as a sign. The Picts won, and Óengus declared St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew's Day has been observed in Scotland since at least the 11th century, but it was not a national holiday until 2006, when the Scottish Parliament designated it a bank holiday. (Banks in Scotland are closed on St. Andrew's Day, but it is not a legal requirement for other businesses to close.) The day is the start of the traditional Scottish winter festival season, which runs from St. Andrew's Day (November 30) through Christmas (December 25) to Burns Night (January 25). Edinburgh holds a weekend of celebrations including a torchlight procession through the city, fireworks, traditional music performances, and ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dances).