St. Andrew’s Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about St. Andrew’s Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. St. Andrew’s Day is observed on November 30th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of St. Andrew’s Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you ought to know about St. Andrew’s Day.

📅 What day is St. Andrew’s Day 2024?

In 2024, St. Andrew’s Day is on Thursday, November 30th. It is the 5th Thursday in November; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all fascinating details and facts about November 30, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

📜 St. Andrew’s Day History

Why is St. Andrew so important to Scotland? Well, in the New Testament, Andrew was a close companion of Jesus and played a significant role in important events. He was the one who informed Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes and also relayed messages to Jesus from others, like when Philip wanted to tell Jesus about Greeks seeking Him. Andrew was present at the Last Supper and was among the disciples who asked Jesus about signs of his return.

Interestingly, St. Andrew’s Day also has ties to America. In 1729, a group of wealthy Scottish immigrants founded the “St. Andrew’s Society of Charleston” in South Carolina, which is the oldest Scottish society of its kind in the world. They were known for their assistance to orphans and widows. Similarly, in New York, the “St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York” was established in 1756 to help the destitute and afflicted. St. Andrew’s societies have since spread globally.

Nowadays, St. Andrew’s Day is a significant occasion in Scotland’s winter season. On November 30th, the country comes together to celebrate and honor Andrew, kicking off Scotland’s Winter Festival. The day is filled with Scottish culture, including dancing, music, food, and drinks, often lasting well into the early hours of the morning.

✅ St. Andrew’s Day Facts

🔖 How to guess your future husband’s occupation
Unmarried women in Poland believe that by pouring hot wax through a keyhole into water, they can create a hardened shape that represents the occupation of their potential future husband.

🔖 The way to a man’s heart is through food
In Slovakia, young women write down the names of potential life partners on small pieces of paper, which they then mix into the dough and bake. The name that appears on top of the bread after it rises is believed to be their future husband.

🔖 Hiding grains to get a husband
In Romania, it is a tradition for young women to place 41 grains underneath their pillows. It is believed that if they have a dream where their grains are taken, they will be married within a year.

👍 Why Is St. Andrew’s Day Important

People in Scotland and around Europe commemorate St. Andrew’s Day by eating! We recommend making classic haggis, neeps, and tatties (turnips and potatoes) and finishing with a drink of pure Scottish whisky.

Do we really need an excuse to put on a kilt? No. Do we need an excuse to put on a kilt? Absolutely. To commemorate the occasion, invest in a classic Scottish kilt and never look back!

Because St. Andrew’s Day is regarded as Scotland’s national holiday, Scots go all out with weeklong festivals, parties, and other festivities. During the festivities, you may find a glass of whiskey or beer in almost anyone’s hand!

🙂 How To Observe St. Andrew’s Day

⚡ Visit the town of St Andrews

⚡ Throw your own St. Andrew’s feast
Get together with your friends and have a great time indulging in traditional Scottish delicacies like haggis, porridge, and whisky! You can even have a fun trivia session about St. Andrew’s, where you’ll discover interesting facts like him being a skilled fisherman.

⚡ Wear a kilt
If you’re anything like us, you’re ready to buy a one-way ticket to Scotland after realizing how much fun St. Andrew’s Day is. From November 30 to December 3, you may find Scots celebrating all across Europe, but nowhere is it better than at St. Andrews, owing to its rolling landscapes, history, and tradition.

📅 When is St. Andrew’s Day?

You can view all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Cultural and other 🔗 Christian holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about St. Andrew’s Day. So be sure to check back soon.