Holidays in Wales

These are the main holidays traditionally celebrated in Wales that are not shared with the rest of the United Kingdom. Except for those that fall at the same time as UK public holidays, none of these holidays are bank holidays. There is, however, much support for the recognition of St David's Day as a bank holiday in Wales, in the same way as St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, and St Andrew's Day in Scotland.

The Cathedral at St. David's, Pembrokeshire
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Many of the seasoned festivals originate in the Celtic culture of Wales, as does the manner of their celebration.

Historic Practice

As recorded in the Laws of Hywel Dda, the three main holidays (gwyliau) of the medieval Welsh kingdoms were Christmas (Nadolig), Easter (Pasg), and Whitsuntide (Sulgwyn).[1]

Other important holidays were the feasts of St Patrick (Gwyl Badric) on 17 March; St. Quiricus (Gwyl Giric) on 16 June; the Beheading of John the Baptist (called in Welsh Gwyl Ieuan y Moch – St. John of the Swine – as it was the day the pigs were turned out into the woods to forage through the winter[2]) on 29 August; St Michael (Gwyl Fihangel) on 29 September; and the Calends of Winter (Calan Gaeaf) on 1 November, All Saints' Day (yr Holl Saint).[3] A special drink called the "liquor of the Apostles" (gwirawd yr ebestyl) was brewed for and distributed on these saints' days.[4]

Saints' Days

St. David's Day

The patron saint of Wales is St David, Welsh: Dewi Sant. St. David's Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant) is celebrated on 1 March, which some people argue should be a designated national holiday.

St. John's Day

St. John Chrysostom was born in Antioch circa 347 A.D. He lost his father while still an infant, and was raised by his mother as an only child. He studied music, rhetoric, philosophy, language, and the art of war. Many believe he traveled to Wales where he perished on 14 September 404 A.D. The Holiday is celebrated annually on 13 September to appreciate his majestic works and his unique lifestyle of spreading and influencing cultures.

Gŵyl Mabsant
Main article: Gŵyl Mabsant

On a more localised level, each parish celebrated a Gŵyl Mabsant in commemoration of its native saint. This annual celebration developed from a dedication through prayer to a programme of recreational activities.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen
Main article: Dydd Santes Dwynwen

Celebrated on 25 January every year, Dydd Santes Dwynwen (the day of Saint Dwynwen) is the Welsh day of love much like St. Valentine's Day.

Gŵyl San Steffan

Celebrated on 26 December, in Wales Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day is known as Gŵyl San Steffan.

Seasonal festivals

Nos Galan and Dydd Calan

1 January: The Welsh New Year's Eve and Day celebration involving the tradition of giving gifts or money Calennig to celebrate the new year.

Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau
Main article: Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau

2 February: Literally translates as "Mary's Festival of the Candles", and it is equivalent to Candlemas and Imbolc. In Paganism, the Welsh holiday name is just Gŵyl y Canhwyllau, meaning "The Festival of Candles".

Alban Eilir

20–21 March: Spring Equinox, a time of festival and drinking, the middle of Spring.

Calan Mai or Calan Haf

1 May: May Day, a time of festival and drinking, the first day of summer and the Welsh equivalent of Beltane.

20–21 June: Alban Hefin, a time of festival and drinking, (Summer Solstice)

24 June: Gwyl Ifan (St John's Day), a time of festival and drinking, otherwise known as Midsummer's day.

Calan Awst
Main article: Lammas

Around 1 August: The first day of Autumn, a time of festival and drinking, the Welsh equivalent of Lughnasadh, or Lammas.

Alban Elfed

22–23 September: Autumn Equinox, a time of festival and drinking, the middle of Autumn.

Nos Galan Gaeaf and Calan Gaeaf
Main article: Calan Gaeaf

31 October and 1 November: Winter's eve and the first day of winter. A Hallowe'en or Samhain-type festival.

Alban Arthan
Main article: Alban Arthan

21–22 December: A Winter Solstice or Midwinter festival, a time of festival and drinking, the shortest day of the year.

Eisteddfod

This poetic tradition has been celebrated in eisteddfod, a Welsh word meaning a gathering where people recite verses and sing songs.

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References
  1. Wade-Evans, Arthur. Welsh Medieval Laws, p. 2. Oxford Univ., 1909. Accessed 31 Jan. 2013.
  2. Roberts, Sara E. Llawysgrif Pomffred: An Edition and Study of Peniarth MS 259B. Brill, 2011. Accessed 31 Jan 2013.
  3. Wade-Evans, Arthur. Welsh Medieval Laws, p. 343. Oxford University, 1909. Accessed 31 Jan 2013.
  4. Wade-Evans, Arthur. Welsh Medieval Laws, p. 341. Oxford Univ., 1909. Accessed 31 Jan. 2013.
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