St. Brigid's Day grew out of Imbolc, an ancient Celtic spring festival, and became tied to St. Brigid of Kildare after the spread of Christianity. Today, it honors both traditions and stands as a day of renewal, creativity and protection.

When is St. Brigid's Day?

St. Brigid's Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday in February.

The following is the list of St. Brigid's Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of St. Brigid's Day?

St. Brigid's Day coincides with Imbolc, an ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of spring. Imbolc celebrated the goddess Brigid, associated with fertility, healing, poetry and the hearth. It was a time of fire rituals, cleansing, and renewal, as people looked forward to the end of winter.

With Christianity's spread in Ireland (5th century), the pagan Brigid was blended with the Christian saint, St. Brigid of Kildare (c. 451–525 AD).

St. Brigid, born in County Louth, became a founder of monasteries (including the famous one in Kildare) and a leader in the Irish church. Known for her miracles and generosity to the poor, she quickly became one of Ireland's three patron saints (with St. Patrick and St. Columba).

Her feast day was set on February 1st, aligning with the older seasonal festival. The feast remained popular in rural Ireland, blending Christian devotion with seasonal folk rituals.

Communities kept making Brigid's crosses and celebrating renewal, even as Ireland modernized.

In folklore, St. Brigid's powers were linked to fertility of the land, livestock, and households—critical in an agrarian society.

In 2023, St. Brigid's Day was officially declared a public holiday in Ireland—the first Irish holiday named after a woman.

It now celebrates not only Ireland's Christian and Celtic heritage, but also women's contributions and equality.