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Get ready to celebrate St. Piran's Day on March 5! This special day is named after the patron saint of Cornwall, a county in southwest England known for its stunning coastline and rich Celtic heritage. Legend has it that St. Piran was thrown into the sea by Irish pagans, but miraculously survived by floating across the water on a granite millstone. He then landed on the shores of Perranporth Beach, where he built a chapel and spread Christianity throughout the region. Today, this holiday is celebrated with parades, traditional Cornish food like pasties and saffron cake, and plenty of dancing and singing in honor of St. Piran's legacy. So put on your daffodil or leek pin (symbols of Wales and Cornwall) and join in on the festivities!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>5th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>St. Piran’s Time</div><div class='timeline-text'>St. Piran, the patron saint of tin miners and also considered the national saint of Cornwall, lived in the 5th century.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1838</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rediscovery of St. Piran Oratory</div><div class='timeline-text'>The remains of St. Piran's Oratory, an early Christian chapel, are uncovered in the sand dunes near Perranporth.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>20th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Start of Modern Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>From the turn of the 20th century, St. Piran's Day began to be increasingly recognized and celebrated in Cornwall.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>St. Piran Play Revival</div><div class='timeline-text'>The St. Piran Play, a drama procession and performance recounting the saint's life, was revived after a lapse of several years.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cornwall Council Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Cornwall Council began to recognize St. Piran's Day by raising the flag of St. Piran over public buildings.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Grand Bard's St Piran's Declaration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh makes the St Piran's Declaration from the Boscawen Stone Circle to mark the day.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many towns and cities in Cornwall, England hold parades on St. Piran's Day to celebrate the patron saint of Cornwall. Attend a parade and enjoy the traditional music, dance, and costumes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a Cornish pasty</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>St. Piran's Day is the perfect time to try making a traditional Cornish pasty. Gather your ingredients and follow a recipe to create this delicious savory pastry.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a play about St. Piran</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>St. Piran's life and legend have been depicted in various plays and performances. Look for local productions or watch one online to learn more about the patron saint of Cornwall.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a tin mine</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>St. Piran is said to have discovered tin while living in Cornwall. Take a tour of a tin mine and learn more about this important industry in the region.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Wear black and white</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Traditionally, people wear black and white on St. Piran's Day to represent the colors of the Cornish flag. Show your pride by donning these colors or incorporating them into your outfit in some way.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrate the Patron Saint of Cornwall</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>St. Piran's Day is a celebration of the patron saint of Cornwall, a Celtic land steeped in rich history and tradition. It's a day to honor and embrace this unique culture, which has survived and thrived throughout history!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Experience Cornish heritage and traditions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>St. Piran's Day provides an opportunity to partake in traditional Cornish festivities like dancing, singing, and enjoying local delicacies such as cornish pasties. You can also learn more about Cornish heritage by visiting museums or attending cultural events.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Spread love and unity through music and dance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On St. Piran's Day, communities come together to perform traditional dances like the 'Furry Dance', a lively procession through the streets accompanied by music. It's a heartwarming sight to see people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to celebrate their shared culture.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>St. Piran's Flag is a Symbol of Cornwall</h3><p class='facts-content'>The black and white flag, often seen during St. Piran's Day celebrations, is actually the flag of St. Piran. This simple flag, a white cross against a black background, has become an enduring symbol of Cornwall.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cornish Pasty Has a Protected Status</h3><p class='facts-content'>The traditional meal of the Cornish pasty, largely associated with St. Piran's Day, has protected status under European law. Only pasties made in Cornwall, following a traditional recipe and method, can legally be called "Cornish pasties".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tin Mining Was Significant to Cornish Economy</h3><p class='facts-content'>Tin and copper mining were integral to the Cornish economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's said that St. Piran, as the patron saint of tin miners, discovered tin when heating stones for his fireplace.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>St. Piran is also celebrated in other Countries</h3><p class='facts-content'>St. Piran's popularity extends beyond Cornwall. Cornish emigrants took the celebrations for this patron saint to other countries where they settled, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The "Trelawny Shout" Ends the Celebrations</h3><p class='facts-content'>The festivities for St. Piran's Day traditionally end with the "Trelawny Shout". This is a coordinated, county-wide singing of the Cornish anthem 'The Song of the Western Men' at 9 p.m.</p></div></div>
St. Piran's Day is celebrated on March 5 every year. In 2024 St. Piran's Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Mar 5
Sunday
2024
Mar 5
Tuesday
2025
Mar 5
Wednesday
2026
Mar 5
Thursday
2027
Mar 5
Friday
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