First Minister announces new celebration fund for St David’s Day 2026

The First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan will today announce a new fund for communities across Wales to help them celebrate St David’s Day next year.

Applications will open today for activities aimed at bringing communities together around the day of Wales’ patron saint Dewi Sant, on 1st March. Activities could include parades, music performances, community workshops, traditional Welsh folk dancing (twmpathau) or food-based events.

The Welsh Government has allocated £1 million for the 2026 St David’s Day celebrations.

Grants

Organisations will be able to apply for three levels of funding, from small community groups to major national organisations.

Local groups can apply for grants from £500 to £5,000 to deliver local or neighbourhood events. Up to £20,000 will be available for regional organisations, such as local authorities, and up to £40,000 for Wales-wide organisations to deliver nationwide activities.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “St David’s Day is a chance to celebrate Wales’ unique and rich tapestry of traditions. From school eisteddfods to St David’s Day parades, people across Wales and around the world come together to show off the best of our culture and so much more that Wales has to offer.”

Proud

She continued: “We are a fiercely proud nation – we get behind the Welsh in major sporting events, we celebrate our culture and language and we go about our daily lives in a uniquely Welsh way.

“Next year’s extra activities will celebrate our spirit, our pride and the unity that define us. We want everyone to feel part of this event – sharing stories, engaging in our traditions and celebrating the modern Wales we’re proud to call home.

“Let’s make St David’s Day 2026 the most memorable yet – a true reflection of who we are, where we’re from, and what makes Wales the wonderful nation it is.”