Happy
St Andrew’s Day
Celebrating St. Andrew’s Day in 2025
Some people wear a kilt. Some wear tartan pyjamas. Some raise a glass of whisky. However you approach St. Andrew’s Day, join the festivities, at home, in town, or wherever your tartan-clad heart might be.
St Andrew’s Day: Scotland’s National Celebration of Heritage and Pride
Every year in November, Scots around the world celebrate their national day in honour of the patron saint, St. Andrew.
With highland games, dancing, traditional music and food, it’s a lively celebration of Scottish culture and heritage.
Read on to learn more about Scotland’s biggest national holiday!
When is St. Andrew’s Day?
St. Andrew’s Day falls on Sunday November 30th each year, making it the perfect excuse for a full weekend of celebrations.
The date lands on different days of the week annually, but the festivities carry on regardless. If it happens to land on a weekday, Scotland gets a Bank Holiday!
NOVEMBER 30 2025
Who was St. Andrew?
St. Andrew’s Day marks the feast of Andrew the Apostle, a fisherman-turned-disciple who became Scotland’s patron saint. Legend tells of his relics arriving on Scottish shores more than a thousand years ago, bringing protection and unity to the land.
His symbol – the white diagonal cross, or Saltire, the nation’s flag, proudly flown from castles, to cottages and campervans
Traditions and Customs
Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen host parades, torchlit processions, and ceilidh dances that last late into the night.
In St Andrews, the town that shares the saint’s name “The Big Hoolie” takes over the streets with fireworks, music, and laughter drifting out onto West Sands beach.
Scots have many traditions to mark the date, from wearing tartan to dining on cock-a-leekie soup and cranachan.
The Royal Bank of Scotland even gives employees a half-day holiday to celebrate their patron saint!
Haggis Neeps and Tatties
No Scottish celebration is complete without a table that creaks under the weight of haggis, neeps, tatties, cock-a-leekie soup, shortbread, or cranachan.
Traditional Scottish haggis, neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes), and cranachan (a dessert made with raspberries, cream, oats, and whisky), are enjoyed by families and friends as they gather to honour their patron saint.
St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations
Events take place across Scotland on St Andrew’s Day. Major cities put on parades, concerts and festivals to celebrate, while smaller towns host dinners and ceilidhs.
Stirling and Aberdeen have renowned Hogmanay-style New Year’s celebrations on St. Andrew’s Day.
Celebrating at Home
Not in Scotland? No problem. You can join the party from home too!
Get your friends round. Host a mini ceilidh in your kitchen (if there are more than three people, warn the downstairs neighbours)
Decorate with blue and white Scottish flags, or cook up some cock-a-leekie soup or crispy fried haggis neeps and tatties.
Learn a few handy Gaelic phrases like “Là Fhèill Andreia” (Happy St. Andrew’s Day!).
Toast with some whisky
Scotland is famous for whisky and many people choose to toast with a wee dram to mark the occasion.
St. Andrew’s Day honours Scotland’s roots with nationwide events, food, music and dance. The lively festivities invite everyone to come together and experience iconic symbols of Scottish heritage. So next November 30th, don your tartan and get ready to join in this lively national celebration!
Raise your glass, raise your flag. Happy St. Andrew’s Day – may your spirit be bold, your plate be full.
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