St Andrew’s Day 2026 falls on Monday, 30 November 2026. It is Scotland’s national day, the feast day of Andrew the Apostle, Scotland’s patron saint, and the opening date of Scotland’s Winter Festivals, the season that runs on through Hogmanay and Burns Night.
In the United States it is not a federal holiday, but the modern celebration owes much to Americans: Scottish immigrants in Charleston, South Carolina, founded the St Andrew’s Society of Charleston in 1729, with societies in Philadelphia (1747) and New York (1756) following.
When Is St Andrew’s Day 2026?
It is fixed on 30 November every year: 2026 Monday 30 November, 2027 Tuesday 30 November, 2028 Thursday 30 November. In Scotland it is an official bank holiday under the St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, passed in 2006.
Nuance: employers in Scotland are not legally obliged to give staff the day off, and banks are not required to close. When 30 November falls on a weekend, the substitute bank holiday is normally the following Monday.
Who Was St Andrew, and Why Is He Scotland’s Patron Saint?
Andrew was one of the twelve apostles, a fisherman from Galilee and brother of Simon Peter, who introduced Peter to Jesus. Tradition holds Andrew was martyred on an X-shaped cross, and that diagonal cross became the Saltire, Scotland’s flag: a white diagonal cross on a blue field.
Andrew never set foot in Scotland as far as history can show. Legend says the Greek monk St Regulus (or Rule) was guided by a vision to carry some of Andrew’s relics to the “ends of the earth” and landed on the Fife coast at Kilrymont, now St Andrews.
By the 10th century Andrew was regarded as Scotland’s saintly defender, and in 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath described Scotland as under Andrew’s special protection, cementing him as guardian of the Scottish people. Another legend credits King Oengus II in the 820s-830s with seeing a white X-shaped cross in the sky before battle against the Angles, adopting it as Scotland’s emblem; treat this as legend, not a dated battlefield record.
Andrew is also patron of fishermen, fishmongers and rope-makers, and of Greece, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Cyprus. Learn more about St Andrew’s Day and the history of St Andrew’s Day.
Symbols to Know
The Saltire (white X on blue, flown from Scottish public buildings on the day); the thistle, Scotland’s national flower; tartan and the kilt; bagpipes and the ceilidh, a social dance with simple called steps that newcomers can join.
How Scotland Celebrates Today
On St Andrew’s Day 2026, expect ceilidhs, concerts and parades, including Glasgow’s West End torchlight procession, often raising money for charity in keeping with Andrew’s reputation for generosity.
Food is front and centre: haggis with neeps (mashed turnip/swede) and tatties (mashed potato), cullen skink (smoked-haddock soup), cranachan (cream, oats, raspberries and whisky), sticky toffee pudding, and shortbread.
Historic Environment Scotland has in past years offered free entry to many sites around the weekend when booked in advance — check the current year’s announcement before travelling. St Andrew’s Fair Saturday links the day to fairness and sharing. The winter run: St Andrew’s Day opens the season, leading into Hogmanay (31 December) and Burns Night (25 January).
How to Celebrate in the United States
- Find a local Scottish society event in Charleston, Philadelphia, New York, Boston or elsewhere.
- Cook one Scottish dish properly — haggis is classic, cullen skink or cranachan an easier first step.
- Host a mini-ceilidh at home with Scottish folk music and two simple dances.
- Fly the Saltire or wear a little tartan.
- Read a short Robert Burns poem aloud at dinner.
- Give in Andrew’s spirit — the early American societies were founded to relieve the poor and distressed, so a donation to a local food bank honours that purpose. Read why Saint Andrew’s Day is important for more on this tradition.
What St Andrew’s Day Is Not
Not a US federal holiday and not a public holiday across the UK — a Scottish bank holiday only. Not St Patrick’s Day with a different flag. Not Burns Night (25 January) or Hogmanay (31 December); those are the other pillars of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.
Quick Facts
| Date | Monday 30 November 2026 |
| Also called | Feast of Saint Andrew, Andermas |
| Patron | Andrew the Apostle |
| Significance | Scotland’s national day and Scottish bank holiday |
| Flag | The Saltire |
| Season | Opens Scotland’s Winter Festivals |
| Classic foods | Haggis, neeps and tatties, cullen skink, cranachan, shortbread |
| Celebrations | Ceilidhs, concerts, parades, Scottish society balls and dinners |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is St Andrew’s Day 2026?
Monday 30 November 2026, fixed on 30 November yearly.
Why 30 November?
Traditionally the anniversary of Andrew’s martyrdom and his feast day.
Is it a bank holiday?
Yes in Scotland under the 2007 Act; employers not legally required to give the day off.
Is it a holiday in the USA?
No federal holiday, but Scottish-American societies mark it.
Why is Andrew Scotland’s patron if he never went there?
Through the Regulus relic legend and political adoption in the Declaration of Arbroath 1320.
What is the Saltire?
Scotland’s flag, white diagonal cross on blue for Andrew’s X-shaped cross.
What food?
Haggis with neeps and tatties, cullen skink, cranachan, shortbread.
What is the difference from Hogmanay and Burns Night?
St Andrew’s Day opens the Winter Festivals, Hogmanay is 31 December New Year, Burns Night 25 January honours Robert Burns.
More 2026 Celebrations
Plan the rest of the season with Christmas 2026, Hanukkah 2026, Kwanzaa 2026, and the First Sunday of Advent 2026.
For St Andrew’s Day 2026, start with the Saltire, a ceilidh playlist and one Scottish dish — that is enough to mark the day well, whether you are in Scotland or the United States.
Note: No 2026 St Andrew’s Day deals or offers are listed because none were verified from official sources at writing on 2026-11-04.